Honda has unleashed the 2023 Civic Type R, touted as the most powerful iteration of the Civic’s performance-oriented variant yet. The model made its global debut at a special event in Los Angeles, California.
The 2023 Honda Civic Type R makes its world premiere on the nameplate's 30th anniversary
“Even in this ‘year of the Honda SUV,’ it’s great to be part of a brand that remains focused on the thrilling performance and joy of driving delivered by the all-new Civic Type R,” said Mike Kistemaker, Assistant Vice President of Honda sales at American Honda. “Type R is about more than speed, power, and handling. It’s how great a car makes you feel that really matters, and that’s what the all-new Civic Type R is about.”
The release of the sixth-generation model coincides with the nameplate’s anniversary this year, 30 years since the first Type R debuted as a variant of the NSX two-seater sports car in 1992.
Honda says this could be the most powerful iteration so far
“The mission of Type R is to pursue the speed of a racing car and unparalleled driving pleasure by combining advanced technology and sophisticated design,” said Hideki Kakinuma, who leads the development team for the all-new Civic Type R. “We created the best-ever front-wheel-drive sports model that strikes a chord with the customer’s instincts.”
Exterior
As with all Civic Type Rs that preceded it, the latest model is anchored on the standard Civic; in this case, the 11th-generation hatchback. Honda has designed the all-new Civic Type R to be longer, lower, and wider than the outgoing model, with a special emphasis on aerodynamics.
It retains much of the standard Civic's appearance, as with previous versions
“While highlighting a low and wide body frame to the maximum extent, we strived to achieve a ground-hugging, solid, and sturdy racing car-like presence,” explained Dai Hara, Civic Type R exterior designer.
The new Civic Type R’s exterior resembles that of the regular Civic, especially the slim LED headlamps and general fascia layout. However, in a nod to its sportier character, the Civic Type R employs a honeycomb grille mesh hovering over the larger intake below the front bumper.
Die-cast aluminum mounts on the wing spoiler reduce aerodynamic drag
Type R-exclusive wide doors and muscular fenders define the profile, accompanied by enlarged front fender grilles and new side sill spoilers to maximize airflow. The sloping roofline flows toward a prominent rear wing spoiler mounted on diecast aluminum stays that minimize aerodynamic drag and generate adequate downforce.
The trademark Type R triple exhaust tips can be found on the new rear diffuser, with a modified layout that now sees the largest tailpipe at the center. For exterior colors, Honda says the new Civic Type R will be available in Rallye Red, Racing Blue Pearl, Crystal Black Pearl, Sonic Grey Pearl, and the sought-after Historic Championship White.
Interior
The new Civic Type R’s athletic personality extends to the cabin. “We wanted our customers to feel the special quality of Type R through their experience in the vehicle. So, we focused on designing for the driver’s feelings,” said Civic Type R CMF (Color Material Finish) Designer Kyoko Shibuya.
The interior is as race-ready as can be
Red racing seats welcome occupants to the interior. According to Shibuya, the hue was a result of a continuous process of trial and error, with the final product serving to get users excited for the drive ahead. Apart from being visually appealing, the seats are made with suede-like upholstery that reduces body slippage during high-G driving maneuvers.
There are the usual details that fans have come to expect
The dashboard is lifted directly from the standard Civic, complete with the same honeycomb trim echoing the external grille. A notable addition, however, is the serialized plate that denotes the Civic Type R’s limited numbers. Previously mounted on the door sill, the plate now occupies a more prominent place on the front passenger dashboard, the better for drivers to gaze upon a monumental source of pride with every journey.
Tech & Safety
A 9-inch floating-type touchscreen display occupies the center of the dashboard for communications, multimedia, and navigation purposes. Meanwhile, drivers benefit from a new +R meter design that allows them to view vehicle information quickly. The readout includes a graphic RPM display, rev indicator lights, and gear indicator data.
A new instrument cluster makes it easier for drivers to monitor performance
Meanwhile, Honda has also included its LogR data logger that displays real-time information on the car’s mechanical status, especially as a result of driver input. A stopwatch feature is included for recording lap times, and owners can also share driving videos more easily.
Engine & Drivetrain
The new Civic Type R runs on the same 2.0-liter turbocharged VTEC engine possessed by its predecessor. Honda has managed to tweak the engine and squeeze out significantly higher numbers than the original’s 306 horsepower and 400 Nm of torque. How significant? Enough to break the standing lap record held by the previous Type R at the Suzuka International Racing Course in Japan by almost one second.
The new Civic Type R has already erased its predecessor's lap time at Suzuka
A 6-speed manual gearbox continues to be the lone transmission option for the Civic Type R, putting to rest previous rumors that a 6-speed automatic gearbox will be offered as well. Another mechanical carryover is the outgoing model’s front-wheel drivetrain, as well as the dual-axis front strut suspension setup.
Price
Pricing has not been confirmed for the 2023 Honda Civic Type R, but it is expected to start at over $40,000 (around Php 2.25 million). The model is scheduled to hit U.S. dealers by the fourth quarter of 2022, with other markets to follow by early 2023. So far, there has been no word from Honda Cars Philippines (HCPI) if the model will also be sold here, given its limited numbers.
The latest model releases are waiting for you 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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