What does a race-oriented Civic Type R look like?
At first glance, you might think that the Honda Civic Type R in it’s current form is already a track-ready vehicle just by looking at it. Well, think again.
Honda has unveiled the Civic Type R TC, made exclusively for the circuit. It’s the real deal, handily meeting the standards of the SRO Touring Car Americas TC class, SCCA T2 class, NASA ST5, and the E2 Class. Now that’s a mouthful.
The loud styling of the Type R just works on the TC version, doesn't it?
>>> Check out for the best Honda Civic Type R for sale.
As you can see, this mad creation by none other than Honda Performance Development sports the same engine as the roadgoing Type R, albeit with race-specific parts that will help it withstand the rigors of motorsport.
The Type R TC comes with a new turbo-back exhaust which stops waste gases from flowing out the back, a rear limited-slip differential for added grip, a larger radiator and oil cooler, and an FIA-spec 16-gallon fuel tank.
It wouldn’t be a true racing machine if it wasn’t stripped of most modern conveniences on the inside. The Civic Type R TC features a spartan interior; as in there nothing that isn’t going to be useful in a race. There’s a lone bucket-type seat for the driver equipped with a six-point harness, a roll cage, a minimalist yet cool OMP racing wheel set against an equally austere dashboard, a racing net, and fire suppression equipment.
The barebones interior is certainly optimized for racing
As for the exterior, this particular Type R TC that’s been making the rounds of the internet is a black-clad beast that comes with functioning vents on the front, a larger and presumably more functional wing, and a vented hood.
The 2.0-liter under the hood makes 330 horsepower, which is a significant bump over the standard Type R’s 310 ponies.
Note the larger wing. And yes, the vents are functional now, yay!
How much is Honda asking for it?
Pricing for the Honda Civic Type R TC is set at USD 89,900 or Php 4,590,743 (exclusive of taxes - Ed). Pretty steep, we know, especially for something practically devoid of creature comforts. But even if you did have that kind of disposable cash, the Civic Type R TC is reserved for those with both a racing license and are members of the Honda Performance Development’s Racing Program.
>>> Related: Complete guide to the current PH-market Honda Civic Type R
A lot of people are saying that only the brake lights work. Still looks really cool though
It’s also the picture-perfect example of a “track only, non-street legal” car. There’s no airbag to speak of for the only occupant on board, it doesn’t appear to have signal lights, nor will it be comfortable for long drives.
Regardless, here’s hoping that Honda eventually comes up with a proper challenger that can keep up with the machines of the Toyota Vios racing festival.
For more car news, keep reading 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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