Button unveils new Honda Civic Type-R concept

Jenson Button today joined Takeo Fukui, President of Honda Motor Company, at the Geneva Motor Show to unveil the Honda Civic Type-R concept. The unveiling of Honda's prototype – the forerunner to the road-going version based on the ground-breaking new Civic model – took place on the Honda stand, which also features several of the company's F1 cars.

Of course, the Honda Racing F1 Team's 2006 F1 challenger, the RA106 was on display but, underlining Honda's F1 heritage, it was joined by the 1964 RA271, Honda's initial Grand Prix challenger, and Richie Ginther's 1965 RA272, in which the American claimed Honda's first ever F1 win.

"Racing is part of Honda's DNA," commented Takeo Fukui, President of Honda Motor Company, "and this year the newborn Honda Racing F1 Team will begin a new challenge for victory. I believe strongly that we will stand atop the podium this year. But we also want our customers to stand atop the winners' podium, so I am delighted to introduce the Civic Type-R concept, born with Honda's racing DNA.

"With a lower, wider design and a 2-litre engine that produces 200ps, the Civic Type-R concept will bring out the race driver in anyone."

There was no better person to help unveil the Civic Type-R concept than Honda Racing F1 Team driver Jenson Button. Speaking at the unveiling, Button said: "It's a privilege to be involved in launching this car. I've had a Civic Type-R in Monaco for a couple of years and have had a lot of fun in it. That's why I'm so excited to see the new car, and can't wait to drive it soon."