The Type R is Honda’s official designation for performance-oriented versions of its four-wheeled models, currently marking 30 years from when it was first used on a variant of the NSX sports car in 1992. For the Japanese automaker’s Civic compact sedan, the Type R nameplate came only five years later. Fast forward to 2023, and it is now included in Honda Philippine's model lineup..
What are the things that set these two performance variants apart?
That the 2023 Honda Civic Type R builds on the success of the outgoing iteration is expected, so we now take a look at how the new Civic Type R compares to its predecessor.
2023 Honda Civic Type R Old vs New: Exterior
Design is the first thing that separates the two. Whereas the old Civic Type R’s appearance is anchored on the standard 10th-generation Civic hatchback, the new Civic Type R adopts the more conservative appearance of the 11th-generation model, specifically the Civic e:HEV hybrid.
A radical aesthetic defined the outgoing Civic Type R
When it comes to size, the older Civic Type R model is 4,557 mm long, 1,877 mm wide, and 1,434 mm in height. Its wheelbase then spans 2,700 mm. The all-new 2023 Civic Type R meanwhile, is 4,593 mm long, 1,890 mm wide, and 1,407 mm in height. It also has a wheelbase length of 2,735 mm.
This places the newer model to be larger overall, but shorter in height than the older model. According to Honda, the lower and wider stance provides benifits to aerodynamics and handling.
Details common between the two models though, is the iconic red H badge. On the new models however, the said badge now sits on a fascia with a less busy-looking layout while flanked by LED headlamps.
The trademark hood scoop on the old Civic Type R is now wider and located closer to the grille on the new model. Honda has also resized the front fender grilles to make them more subtle. A stronger character line can now be found on the new Civic Type R’s profile, while frontal blind spots have been reduced with the side mirrors relocated from the windows to the doors.
The new Civic Type R dials down the flashiness of the previous version
A slimmer wing mounted on die-cast aluminum stays hovers over the restyled rear, complemented by revamped rear LED tail lamp clusters that now have a more horizontal orientation. The rear bumper is also more understated now compared to the old model, with a revised diffuser and triple exhaust tip layout that has the largest tailpipe positioned at the center.
The new Civic Type R comes into contact with the road through a set of 265/30 Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires wrapped around 19-inch alloys, a departure from the 245/30 radials mounted on 20-inch wheels used by the outgoing version.
2023 Honda Civic Type R Old vs New: Interior
The interior of the 11th-generation Civic is carried over to the sixth-generation Civic Type R, notably defined by the full-width honeycomb trim that conceals the air-conditioning vents. This results in a cleaner and more streamlined look compared to the previous Civic Type R.
Inside the old Civic Type R
Red continues to be dominant hue on the upholstery, with the new Civic Type R sporting more of the color on the backrests of the redesigned racing bucket seats. The Type R logo has been moved up to the headrests on the new model, while the red contrast stitching remains. Honda says the seat material reduces slippage and helps keep occupants in place during high-speed maneuvers.
The all-new Civic Type R's cockpit
2023 Honda Civic Type R Old vs New: Tech & Safety
Just beyond the revised steering wheel is a new instrument cluster that features an +R driving mode meter design, enhancing legibility for drivers.
Instrument panels on the old Civic Type R (left) and the new model (right)
The new Civic Type R moves up the previous model’s touchscreen from being flush with the rest of the dashboard to a floating-type display, bringing with it Honda’s LogR data logger feature. Performance data collected by the car’s sensors can now be accessed through a smartphone app, while a scoring function helps drivers improve lap times.
Providing entertainment to the old Civic Type R's occupants was a seven-inch headunit with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The new model still gets the same connectivity options, but its screen now spans 9-inches, and its Apple CarPlay gets a wireless function. Moreover, the old one had a simpler eight-piece speaker set, whereas the new model gets a 12-piece Bose speaker system. Charging is also easier on the new Civic Type R, as it now comes with a wireless smartphone charging pad.
When safety is concerned, both the old and new models do come with Honda Sensing driver assistive suites, and the same number of standard safety features. The new one does get a better multiview rear camera.
2023 Honda Civic Type R Old vs New: Engine & Drivetrain
The new Civic Type R retains the outgoing model’s 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 engine, with a few tweaks. Honda has revised the turbine’s shape and fan blade count, as well as locating it in a compact housing to improve efficiency.
Honda has made improvements on the previous model's 2.0-liter K20C1 turbo engine
Even the exhaust system has been improved, optimizing the car’s power-to-weight ratio, torque, and top speed. The result is more power on tap, enough to allow the new Civic Type R to break the lap time set by the fifth-generation model at the Suzuka International Racing Course in Japan by almost one second.
The difference in performance is also reflected when the old and new models' output figures are compared. The old Civic Type R's 2.0-liter turbo inline-4 for starters, was capable of making up to 306 horsepower and 400 Nm of torque. The new 2023 Civic Type R meanwhile, can now generate up to 316 horsepower and 420 Nm of torque. That's a difference of 16 horsepower, and 20 Nm of torque in favor of the new model.
Honda has also upgraded the six-speed manual gearbox. It still incorporates a rev-match system with auto blip for more precise downshifting, but a more robust shift lever is now in use.
The 2023 Civic Type R's 2.0-liter turbocharged engine
The 2023 Honda Civic Type R is now available in the local market in limited numbers. It then comes with a standard retail price of Php Php 3,880,000.
Compare old and new versions of your favorite models at Philkotse.com.
Know more about Honda Civic Type R 2024
The 2024 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.
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
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 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.
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 2024 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.
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 2024 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 Pros & Cons
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Honda Civic Type R Q&A
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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