Rumor: Next Honda Civic Type R to get 400 hp via hybrid powertrain?

Updated Jan 12, 2021 | Same topic: Car Sneak Peeks, Teasers, & Rumors

Take this with a healthy dash of salt. No, put the whole canister even.

The Honda Civic Type R is clearly one of the popular performance hatchbacks in the world. Well, you can’t blame its popularity because Honda made sure that this Japanese hot hatch is packed with striking looks and notable driving performance.

As such, the Civic Type R has been clouded with rumors as to what its next-gen model will be like.

Previously, Honda hinted that the direction for the next-gen Civic Type R is to go all-electric. However, that direction seems to be unclear as of the moment because the Japanese automaker is suggesting a different approach in regards to its next-gen hot hatch.

The latest rumor floating online as of the moment says that the next-gen Civic Type R will have a hybrid engine along with an all-wheel-drive setup.

>>> Latest update: 2021 Honda Civic Type R: Expectations and what we know so far

Honda Civic Type R

The current Honda Civic Type R

According to BestCarWeb.jp, Honda will combine the current Civic Type R’s 2.0-liter turbocharged gasoline engine with two electric motors. The said powertrain configuration is similar to what Honda did to its NSX.

But Honda reportedly plans to reverse that theory for the next-gen Civic Type R. As such, the rumors say that the gas engine will power the hot hatch’s front wheels while the two electric motors will power the rear wheels.

Thus, having an all-wheel-drive setup. The most important thing to note here is that, if the rumors are true, the next-gen Honda Civic Type R will have a power output of 400 hp.

>>> Related: Honda Cars PH rolls out 6-digit discounts for select models this July

Honda Civic Type R

This Japanese hot hatch comes with serious power

To put things in perspective, the current Honda Civic Type R is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged gasoline engine that delivers 306 hp and 400 Nm of torque. Power is sent to the front wheels while the engine is connected to a six-speed manual transmission. 

Honda Civic Type R limited edition

The Honda Civic Type R Limited Edition

With the current engine setup, the Civic Type R has been smashing and making new lap records. Recently, it managed to clinch the title as the fastest front-wheel-drive production-spec car at the Suzuka race circuit in Japan.

The Japanese hot hatch beat the lap times of cars such as the Ferrari F40, Renault Megane, and Porsche Carrera GT. The Civic Type R limited edition finished with a 2:25.4 lap time in the Suzuka race circuit’s 5.8-kilometer course.

The next-gen Honda Civic Type R is expected to be released in 2022. In the Philippines, the current Civic Type R is available at a price of Php 3,180,000. Latest updates on upcoming Honda cars can be found in our Complete guide to the Honda Philippines' local lineup

2021 Civic Type R Limited Edition Lap Record at Suzuka Part 1 of 2

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Know more about Honda Civic Type R 2024

Honda Civic Type R

The 2025 Honda Civic Type R is a high-performance, compact, five-seater, front-wheel-drive liftback. In the Philippine market, it carries a standard retail price of Php 3,870,000.  

Under the hood of the Civic Type R is a 2.0-liter inline-4 gasoline turbocharged engine that can make up to 316 horsepower and 420 Nm of torque. The said engine is then paired with a six-speed manual gearbox with rev-matching. 

Size-wise, the latest version of the Civic Type R is 4,593mm long, 1,890mm wide, and 1,407mm in height. It also has a wheelbase length of 2,735mm and a ground clearance of 123mm. 

Locally, the Honda Civic Type R competes against the Subaru WRX, Dodge Charger, Lexus ES, BMW 3 Series, and Mercedes-Benz CLA, among others.  

>>> New and used Honda Civic Type R 2025 for sale in the Philippines

Honda Civic Type R Launch

The sixth-generation 2023 Honda Civic Type R was initially introduced in July 2022. It then saw an initial release in its home country of Japan. It then reached the Philippine market in January 2023, where it retails at Php 3.880 million. It is sold in limited numbers locally.  

Honda Civic Type R exterior

Honda Civic Type R Exterior

The all-new Honda Civic Type R comes with a number of exterior features that make it a potent performer on the track and the road. For the former, it gets a set of functional vents, a honeycomb grille, wider fenders, and a rear wing. The rear also gets a triple-tip exhaust, as well as a Type R rear diffuser.

Lighting for the Civic Type R includes automatic LED headlamps, LED daytime running lamps, front fog lamps, LED side turn signal lights, and power-adjustable and power-folding side mirrors, among others.  

Honda Civic Type R front

Honda Civic Type R side end

Honda Civic Type R rear

Honda Civic Type R taillights

Honda Civic Type R wheel

Honda Civic Type R spoiler

Honda Civic Type R Interior

Inside the Civic Type R are red bucket seats which come with red Honda badges, and red floor mats. Up to five can be seated, and all are kept cool by an automatic air-conditioning system.  

The driver then gets a push-to-start button with smart entry, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a 10.2-inch digital gauge cluster, and a tilt & telescopic steering column, among others. 

Honda Civic Type R interior

Honda Civic Type R seats

Technology & Safety Features

The highlight of the Civic Type R’s on-board tech is the Honda LogR. This is the car’s datalogger which records one’s performance on the track. It keeps tabs on a driver’s lap time and other relevant driving data.  

Safety-wise, the Civic Type R is also comprehensive. Present on the said model is the Honda Sensing driver assist system which includes adaptive cruise control, low speed follow, lane keep assist, road departure mitigation, lane departure warning, collision mitigation braking, forward collision warning, and automatic high beams.  

Keep everyone entertained aboard the Civic Type R a nine-inch touchscreen headunit with Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It also has Bluetooth and USB connectivity. A wireless smartphone charger is also available.  

Platform & Chassis

The 2025 Honda Civic Type R uses a front-wheel-drive, front-engine layout. Up front is a dual-axis strut suspension system, while the rear uses a multi-link suspension. Braking is then handled by Brembo 350mm ventilated disc brakes for the front, and 305mm disc brakes for the rear. It also gets an electronic parking brake with an auto brake hold.  

Engine & Drivetrain

Under the hood of the Honda Civic Type R is a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 gasoline engine. Power is sent to its front wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox that comes with a built-in rev-matching system. 

Honda Civic Type R engine

At the maximum, this engine can make up to 316 horsepower and 420 Nm of torque. Managing that power are four drive modes. There’s Comfort, Individual, Sport, and +R.  

There are only two available colors for the Philippine-spec 2025 Honda Civic Type R. There’s the Civic Type R’s signature Championship White, and the other is Racing Blue.  

The Honda Civic Type R is officially the most powerful front-wheel-drive liftback/hatch in the Philippine market. So in that niche, it is unmatched. That said, it is also on-par with a number of coupes and sedans in the local scene when it comes to track performance. This Honda, however, has an edge over plenty of other sports cars as it has a roomy interior that’s still practical for daily use.

Honda Civic Type R 2025 Price List

Variant Price
Honda Civic Type R 2.0 MT Turbo ₱3,870,000

Honda Civic Type R Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Attractive, yet subtle styling 

  • Roomy for a performance model 

  • One of the fastest, most powerful FWD models available 

  • Abundance of on-board tech 

  • Powerful engine 

  • One of the few performance models that come with a manual gearbox

Cons

  • Sold in limited numbers

Honda Civic Type R FAQs

1. How much does a Honda Civic Type R cost?

In the Philippines, the price of Honda Civic is priced at P3,870,000 with only one model available.

2. Is the Honda Civic Type R fuel efficient?

 The Honda Civic Type R is a high-performance sports car, and as such, it prioritizes performance over fuel efficiency. The EPA rates the Honda Civic Type R at 22 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway.

3. What makes the Civic Type R so fast?

The Civic Type R is fast due to its turbocharged engine and lightweight chassis.

4. What does Type R stand for?

The "Type R" badge on Honda vehicles stands for "Type Racing." It is a high-performance variant of certain Honda models that are designed and engineered for racing and performance enthusiasts.

5. Does Type R have VTEC?

Yes, the Honda Civic Type R is equipped with Honda's VTEC (Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control) technology.

₱ 3,880,000

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