Double celebration for Honda with the launch of the latest generation of the Civic Type R. First, the Civic as a model turns 50 years old and second, the Honda Type R lineage turns 30 years old.
And although today the Civic Type R is a bit removed from the format that probably made it famous, it has not, in any iteration, ceased to be a fantastic front-wheel drive sports car, with energy, elasticity, but above all, because it is a car that allows you to find the balance between two key points: being a fun car, but also very precise, proposals that do not always go hand in hand.
This Civic Type R had already been presented in the middle of the year, but the brand had not wanted to tell much about the model. Today we can already know all its details.
2023 Honda Civic Type R: Dimensions and Design
- Length: 4.5m
- Width: 1.8m
- Tall: 1.4m
- Between axes: 2.7m
- Trunk: 694L
- Ground clearance: 12cm
The Civic Type R (FL5) is a cross between the earlier Type R and the current Civic SI. In other words, although it looks really sporty, it is a much less extravagant car than its predecessor. As the hatchback body is now more sloping and lowered, this helps to achieve a more aerodynamic and elegant silhouette. Of course it has a large rear spoiler (functional of course) and three exhaust outlets in the middle of a sporty diffuser (also functional), but everything looks more measured. The same can be said for the front clip (everything from post A forward), with its honeycomb grille, and the large lower air intake that reveals the engine’s intercooler: all of this is unique to the Type R.
Other very sporty details are the width of the front fenders, the skirts, the air extractor on the aluminum hood (to alleviate one of the problems of the previous Type R, cooling) and the 19″ wheels. We can’t forget the Honda badging on a red background, a hallmark of all Type R models. The rest of the accents are glossy black like the window frames or the mirror caps.
The aerodynamics of the model was worked on with the help of the HRD Sakura Super GT Team in Japan.. This is what we mean by the fact that the rear spoiler and the diffuser are functional.
Honda Civic Type R 2023: interior and equipment
Inside, the elegant design that debuted in this generation of the Civic is fused with all the regulation touches of a car bearing the Type R badge. For example, lhe carpets and faux suede seats are red, to evoke the model’s past. We can’t forget the aluminum manual gearbox knob, a classic feature of the Civic Type R.
The driving position has been lowered and achieves better visibility thanks to the changes incorporated into this platform, with relocated mirrors, slimmer A-pillars, and a lower hood.
The currency fee is set by a 10.2″ digital instrument cluster with different themes based on selected drive modes. In the most aggressive mode, you’ll only see a graphical tachometer, digital speedometer, and matching gauges, while in the more urban modes, you’ll have the usual tachometer and speedometer.
The 9″ multimedia screen also offers various interfaces dedicated exclusively to managing the car’s performance, including a menu with driving modes (Comfort, Sport, Individual, +R) for you to adjust the steering, engine response, suspension, the sound of the engine, the electronic toe-toe program and the instrument panel at your whim. Another of the screens allows you to enter the Honda LogR application, which allows you to store lap times, G-force, temperature and oil pressure, among others. These and more data can be shared with other users and Honda adds a scoring function so you can improve your performance on the track.
In addition, the Civic Type R is equipped with dual climate control, USB ports, wireless support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless charger, Bose Centerpoint audio system with 12 speakers and Subwoofer, multifunction leather steering wheel, among others. And in terms of safety, the Honda Sensing assistance package is complete, including up to 17 systems, from alert and automatic emergency braking or blind spot monitor, to adaptive cruise control. Why talk about six airbags or ESP.
2023 Honda Civic Type R: Powertrain
The heart of the Civic Type R is the same as in the previous iteration. We are talking about the K20C1 engine, a two-liter, four-cylinder, direct-injection VTEC Turbo engine, which received several improvements to achieve 315 Hp and 310 Lb-ft of torque. Improvements include a less restrictive cooling scheme with larger fans, a new turbo, a larger air intake and a more direct exhaust line. The opening time on the outlet valves has also been extended for more power and sound at high revs.. This engine also features electronic throttle and oil cooler.
The six-speed gearbox is aided by a lighter flywheel and a new improved stud-toe (Rev-match) system. Of course there is also a Helical LSD differential in front, which allows the Type R to bite into corners with ample traction.
Since the 11th generation Civic’s chassis is stiffer, dynamic performance has a lot more room to grow. That’s why Honda put wider axles, firmer stabilizer bars and redesigned suspension geometry (adaptive), which has a scheme that separates the damping edge from the steering edge and lightened parts.
The double pinion steering was also revised with reinforced parts, a gear reduction system that allows greater precision in the center and when the car is loaded in the curves. Even the bushings and terminals were improved in order to have greater resistance and feel.
The Civic Type R has Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2s tires and brakes thanks to a system of discs and Brembo pads on the front axle (rear they are disc, but not Brembo).
2023 Honda Civic Type R: Price
The price of the new Civic Type R is higher than before. It will rival the Volkswagen Golf R and the new Toyota GR Corolla, as well as the Subaru WRX and the Hyundai Elantra N. It seems that there is still life left for entertaining sports cars in the United States.
Honda Civic Type R: USD $43,990.
