Honda has unveiled the all-new Civic Type R as it celebrates 25 years of the brand's iconic high-performance hatchback - and 50 years of Civic. The new Type R has been engineered to deliver the most exhilarating Civic Type R experience to date, building on a long tradition of performance cars inspired by the spirit of racing. Available in Europe from early 2023, the Honda Civic Type R is already setting new benchmarks, recently breaking the front-wheel drive lap record at Suzuka Circuit in Japan. As part of its development, Honda engineers refined every aspect of the new model, including design enhancements that improve aerodynamic performance. Lightweight components and powertrain revisions have created the most responsive and powerful Type R ever.
Powerful aerodynamic design
Developed under the model concept of creating the "Ultimate Sports 2.0," the new Type R builds on sleek and sporty silhouette of the recently revealed Honda Civic e:HEV. To enhance the sportier look and elevate driving performance, the Type R is noticeably lower and wider in stance. The squat form is enhanced through wheel arches that flare out over lightweight 19-inch matte black alloy wheels, shod with bespoke Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres. During development, Honda engineers worked to the concept of creating the "Ultimate Sports Design": The ultimate expression of a high-performance, front-engine, front-wheel-drive car. The exterior design now conveys a sense of unity, with uncluttered details on the front and rear bumpers as well as beautifully integrated design features such as the rear doors and arches, which have all been exclusively developed for the Type R and bring improved aerodynamic benefits.
Immersive cockpit experience
The interior of the new model is dedicated to enhancing the exhilaration of driving and sharpening concentration levels. It maintains the high level of comfort, practicality and refinement found within the all-new Civic e:HEV, elevated by emotive, performance-focused details and features, such as the iconic classic Type R red trim. The immersive cockpit is designed to support intense driving experiences: the driver sits lower than before, with greater visibility over the lower bonnet, blind spots minimised, and reflective elements reduced. The lightweight front sports seats with suede-effect upholstery offer exceptional support for the driver's postural structure to provide comfort and manoeuvrability on the track and during long drives. Drivers can seamlessly switch between performance settings, with pre-set modes for the engine, steering, suspension and engine sound. In addition to Comfort, Sport and +R modes, a new 'Individual Mode' has been introduced to enable customisation of the driving experience.
Performance-focused engineering enhancements
The Honda Civic Type R is renowned for its powerful, highly responsive and high revving engines. The new model builds on the award-winning basis of its predecessor by evolving the 17YM Type-R's famed engine even further to deliver the fastest, most addictive yet secure and rewarding drive in the model's history. Changes are incremental with the revised turbocharger now featuring a compact housing to improve the overall unit efficiency. The turbine itself has had both its blade count and shape optimized to boost power and improve airflow through the turbo. This has resulted in the strongest VTEC turbocharged engine in the Type R's engine. A revised, high-efficiency exhaust system works in conjunction with the above to improve the power-to-weight ratio, torque and top speed of the previous generation Type R and make the 2023 Civic Type R one of the most powerful per litre cars in its class. Helping drivers feel connected to their car is an optimised version of the six-speed manual transmission that helped the previous generation enamour fans around the world. A revised rev-match system with auto blip ensures perfectly paired rev-matching when shifting down through the gears, helping balance the car on corner entry. The high-strength gearbox has gained a high-rigidity lever and optimized shift gate pattern for a reassured and hyper-precise gear change.
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