The hottest member of the new 11th-generation Civic, the Type R, has been revealed ahead of a local launch in early 2023.
The 2023 Honda Civic Type R hatchback will be most powerful Type R model ever according to the company, though it hasn’t released power and torque outputs.
It has, however, confirmed its hot hatch will retain a turbocharged 2.0-litre VTEC four-cylinder, albeit retuned for a higher output and greater responsiveness.
The outgoing model produced 228kW of power and 400Nm of torque.
The Type R continues to use a six-speed manual transmission with rev-matching, with no automatic option available.
Honda says it aimed for the Civic Type R to be the fastest front-engine, front-wheel drive vehicle, while offering both an “addictive” driving feel and secure high-speed stability.
Its reveal comes shortly after the final Type R development car set a new track record for a front-wheel drive car at Suzuka, home to the Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix.
While the Type R, like the standard Civic it’s based on, features cleaner styling than its predecessor, there are still the racy details expected of a Type R like an enormous rear wing and multi-spoke, black-finish alloy wheels.
There are wider guards and more aggressive bumper treatments front and rear than the standard Civic, while there’s a slim air intake on the bonnet.
Honda says it also features wider rear doors exclusive to the Type R.
Down back, there’s a cleaner rear bumper design than the outgoing Type R albeit still with a racy diffuser and three centrally-mounted exhaust outlets.
Honda revealed the hot Civic in the trademark Type R colour of Championship White, but it’ll be available in other colours including Rallye Red, Boost Blue, Crystal Black Pearl and new Sonic Grey Pearl.
The cabin is swathed in red trim, with red carpets and a matching shade for the suede-like upholstery of the seats.
The front seats are grippy buckets with a “three-dimensional polyhedral form”, designed to firmly support occupants on the track.
This sea of red contrasts with the black dashboard and doors and the metal-look trim of the centre console
There’s a slicker digital instrument cluster, and +R mode-exclusive displays which put information like the engine rpm, rev indicator and gear position in clear view of the driver.
Honda’s LogR data logger system provides real-time information on the vehicle’s movements.
The new Type R will again line up against the Hyundai i30 N, Volkswagen Golf R, and Renault Megane R.S. among others, as well as pricier options such as the Audi RS3 and Mercedes-AMG A45 S.
The old Type R sold for $54,990 plus on-road costs, but given today’s base Civic is $47,200 drive-away, we’d expect the new model to be more expensive.
Click any image in the galleries to see the car in full!
