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Honda's hot new Civic Type R finally hatches in production form [w/video] [UPDATE]

UPDATE: A previous version of this article incorrectly indicated that the vehicle in question is the most powerful hot hatch ever made. As some commenters pointed out, the Ford Focus RS500 was more powerful by some 40 horsepower. We've updated the text below accordingly. Takanobu Ito may be stepping down as president and CEO of Honda, but as far as performance machinery is concerned, he'll be leaving the company in good shape. Not only has he ushered Honda back into Formula One – reviving the legendary partnership with McLaren – but he's also brought back two performance icons: the NSX and the Civic Type R. The former is making its European debut here at the Geneva Motor Show after its premier in Detroit, but alongside it we're seeing for the first time the production version of the latter. Not that it's exactly our first look at the new hot hatch. We've seen it testing, seen a couple of concept versions and even drove an early prototype. But after that whole lengthy process, it's finally here. (Or there, we should say, because it won't be coming to America. At least not in its current form.) What we're looking at, according to the manufacturer, is not only the fastest and most powerful front-drive hot hatch it's ever made, but on the market altogether. It packs a 2.0-liter VTEC turbo four kicking out 306 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque – the most powerful production engine the company has ever offered – said to be enough to propel the new Civic Type R to 62 in 5.7 seconds and on to a top speed of 167 miles per hour. That's a whole lot of muscle to channel to the front wheels, but Honda's surely done its best to keep it all under control. It's got an old-school six-speed manual transmission, electric power steering, 19-inch wheels, Brembo brakes, adaptive dampers and a suspension designed to combat torque steer and tuned to enhance high-speed stability and support hard cornering. In addition to extensive testing at locations including the Nurburgring, Suzuka and the company's own Takasu test track, the new Civic Type R has also undergone considerable CFD and wind tunnel testing to tune the aerodynamics. The resulting appendages may be toned down slightly from the concepts, but still make quite a visual impact – to say nothing of generating much-needed downforce to keep this sucker glued to the road or track.

22,000 Honda Shadow 750 motorcycles recalled [UPDATE]

Update: Honda's statement on the recall is now embedded below. The Basics: Honda will recall 22,142 examples of its 2010-2016 VT750 Shadow motorcycles, including the 2012-2014 VT750CA, VT750C2 and VT750C2F; 2011-2016 VT750C; 2013-2016 VT750CS; 2010-2016 VT750C2B; and 2013-2014 VT750C2S. The Problem: Engine vibration can cause a wire for the bank angle sensor to rub against the joint connector on the wire harness. This can eventually cause a loss of the signal, and the engine could stall. Injuries/Deaths: None reported. The Fix: Dealers will replace the bank angle sensor and move the joint connector. If You Own One: Honda expects the recall to begin February 19. More Information: Documents from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (as a PDF) report Honda received five warranty claims and five field reports about this issue as of December 14, 2015. Related Video: RECALL Subject : Engine Stall from Loss of Sensor Signal Report Receipt Date: DEC 23, 2015 NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V874000 Component(s): ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Potential Number of Units Affected: 22,142 All Products Associated with this Recall Vehicle Make Model Model Year(s) HONDA VT750 2010-2016 Details Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) SUMMARY: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 VT750CA, VT750C2 and VT750C2F, 2011-2016 VT750C, 2013-2016 VT750CS, 2010-2016 VT750C2B and 2013-2014 VT750C2S motorcycles. Engine vibration may cause the bank angle sensor wire to rub on the wire harness joint connector, resulting in a loss of the sensor signal. CONSEQUENCE: Without the bank angle sensor signal, the engine may stall while riding, increasing the risk of a crash. REMEDY: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will relocate the joint connector and replace the bank angle sensor, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin February 19, 2016. Owners may contact Honda Motorcycle customer service at 1-866-784-1870. Honda's number for this recall is JW7. NOTES: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov. American Honda Statement on VT750 Recall Honda has issued a Safety Recall of some 2010-2016 model-year VT750 motorcycles. It is possible that long term exposure to engine vibrations may cause the bank angle sensor wiring to break, or be damaged, which could cause the engine to stall and increase the risk of a crash.

Meet the Kanjozoku, Osaka's infamous street racers

Street racing is obviously illegal and incredibly dangerous, but that has never stopped people from doing it. While we don't hear nearly as much about the scourge of Japanese tuner cars as when The Fast and the Furious first hit theaters over a decade ago, illegal street racing is still bubbling under the surface all over the island nation. An excellent new documentary short from Bowls Films takes a look at the Kanjozoku from Osaka, Japan; a group that claims to be partially responsible for the tuning style known as JDM.
The group gets their name from their preferred route known as the Kanjo. It's a 4.77-mile long loop of connected highways running right through the city of Osaka. You might expect a hardcore group of illegal Japanese racers to show up with highly tuned Nissan GT-R and Toyota Supra coupes, but the Kanjozoku evidently eschew all of the others in favor of one particular car that they love: the Honda Civic.
According to the video, that vehicle of choice came in part from the city's location. Osaka was relatively near the one-make Civic races held at Japan's legendary Suzuka racetrack. The hatchbacks thus became the default weapons for the Kanjozoku's street battles.