Updated 2021 Honda Civic Type R debuts: New colors, advanced tech 

Updated Nov 16, 2021 | Same topic: Automotive Industry Updates

The Philippine-spec Civic Type R now has the Honda Sensing driver-assist suite of safety features.

The new 2021 Honda Civic Type R has been launched officially for the Philippine market. And as we reported weeks prior, this new Civic Type R is an update of the current FK8 model. It has a standard retail price of Php 3,210,000, which is exempt from the safeguard duty bond. 

A picture of the Honda Civic Type R in Racing Blue on a coastal road

Here it is folks, the updated 2021 Honda Civic Type R in the new Racing Blue Color

From July 27 to September 30, 2021, however, Honda Cars Philippines Inc. (HCPI) is offering a Php 100,000 discount for the sporty model.  

So, what is the updated Philippine-spec 2021 Civic Type R?  

Exterior 

A picture of the Honda Civic Type R on the road

The new 2021 Honda Civic Type R front the front

On the outside, the new Honda-made sports car gets some minor changes. The fog lamp housings now look subtler, and it also gets a new front grille design which looks more open than the previous version. The rear section’s “faux vents” also received the same trim piece which mirrors the look of the front fog lamp housings. 

A picture of the side of the Civic Type R as it travels on city streets

From the side, not much changed

A lot of exterior design elements however make their return. For instance, the model still features the same sporty side skirts, and the large rear wing remains unchanged.  

To complete the car’s look, it rides on 20-inch Berlina Black alloy wheels. Furthermore, HCPI has also introduced new colors for the 2021 Civic Type R. This includes Racing Blue and Sonic Gray. But of course, Honda’s signature Championship white is still available. 

A picture of the rear of the Honda Civic Type R

The rear however gets some subtle updates

Interior 

The biggest changes with the new Civic Type R’s interior are a new weighted shift knob and a new Alcantara-clad steering wheel. Other than that, the model still sports Recaro Bucket-type front seats and the same generous space for up to five occupants. Of note, the updated Civic Type R also offers a lot of practicality as its trunk can still fit up to 414 liters of cargo. 

A picture of the Civic Type R's trunk

The Civic Type R's open trunk

Tech and Safety 

As reported previously though, most of the 2021 Civic Type R’s updates revolve around onboard tech. For starters, its seven-inch LCD instrument cluster has been given a software update and it can now record lap times while showing car-related parameters like pedal position, brake pressure, as well as boost pressure. 

The automatic climate control system and the seven-inch infotainment system were also given more physical buttons and knobs. This provides a more tactile feel for the user, and it allows users to make adjustments while keeping his/her eyes on the road. 

A picture of the interior of the Honda Civic Type R

The new shifter was inspired by the shifter of the Integra Type R

And speaking of safety, the 2021 Honda Civic Type R now comes standard with the Honda Sensing suite. This collection of driver-assist features includes lane keep assist, lane departure warning, collision mitigation braking, among others. Of note, this is the first time that this performance-oriented model is given the said kit.  

Apart from the Honda Sensing, the new model also comes standard with six airbags, anti-lock braking with electronic brake-force distribution, stability control, hill-start assist, as well as a reverse camera. 

Engine 

Under the hood, the Philippine-spec Civic Type R for the model year 2021 still retains the same 2.0-liter turbocharged K20C1 inline-4 gasoline engine. It still makes up to 306 horsepower and 400 Nm of torque, and it’s still paired with a six-speed manual transmission. The said gearbox however has been given upgraded gear ratios, and the clutch is new as well. 

A picture of the Civic Type R's engine

The 2021 Honda Civic Type R's 2.0-liter K20C1 inline-4 turbocharged engine

Furthermore, the suspension system has been upgraded to further improve handling and stability. The software that manages the car’s adaptive system was also improved and it now allows for faster damper reactions for better ride quality. 

And lastly, the new Civic Type R now comes with new brake pads, as well as new front 350mm two-piece floating disc brakes. These are better at handling heat, and thus it is also better at staving off brake fade.

For more car news, keep it here on Philkotse.com. You can also read more on Honda Civic type R price Philippines 2021.

Know more about Honda Civic Type R 2024

Honda Civic Type R

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

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 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. 

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 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

Pros  Cons
 
  • 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

 
  • Sold in limited numbers

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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Cesar G.B. Miguel

Cesar G.B. Miguel

Author

Cesar Guiderone B. Miguel was born and raised in Iligan City, Lanao Del Norte. He graduated in 2010 with a Bachelor of Arts in English degree from Mindanao State University - Iligan Institute of Technology. He previously worked as a freelance writer for various websites, as a member of the Iligan City Disaster Risk Reduction Management's training staff, and as a medical sales representative.

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