All-New Honda Civic Type R Adds Power, Performance, and Swagger

The most powerful model in Type R’s 30-year history, the all-new 2023 Honda Civic Type R goes on sale this fall!

The new Type R delivers the best driving experience in the hot hatch segment, combining class-leading performance with an all-new immersive cockpit experience, and a sleek, muscular new design.

The Civic Type R embodies Honda’s challenging spirit with six different designs since its debut in Japan as a 1997 model. Only the second Civic Type R model ever sold in the United States, the all-new and more powerful 2023 model recently set a new production-car front-wheel drive track record at the Suzuka Circuit in Japan, home to the Formula 1 Honda Japanese Grand Prix, securing its legacy as the best performing Civic Type R ever.

Track-Proven Performance

Already a class leader in ride, handling and steering performance, engineers conducted extensive development in Japan, and undertook rigorous testing at racetracks in Japan, North America, and Europe to further improve Civic Type R’s chassis. This included testing on Germany’s infamous Nurburgring, the world’s most challenging racetrack, helping make the all-new Type R more responsive, more comfortable and more thrilling-to-drive than ever before.

Under its new vented aluminum hood is an even more powerful version of Honda’s award-winning K20C1 engine. Horsepower, torque and response are improved by a redesigned turbocharger, increased air intake flow rate, and a new more efficient exhaust system that features a straight through design and an active exhaust valve. The size, shape and number of the turbocharger’s turbine wheel blades have been optimized along with the flow path of the intake charge, enabling the turbocharger to generate pressure in a wider range and more efficiently.

The turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine now produces 315 horsepower @ 6,500 rpm (SAE net) and 310 lb.-ft. of torque at 2,600 – 4,000 rpm (SAE net) – improvements of 9 hp and 15 lb.-ft. Civic Type R is one of the most powerful cars in its class per liter, with a specific output of 157.8 hp/liter, up from the previous-generation’s 153.3.

Other improvements include:

• Smooth and precise six-speed manual transmission
• Lighter flywheel
• Revised rev-match system
• High-strength gearbox with a high-rigidity lever and optimized shift gate pattern
• Standard helical-type limited-slip differential
• More rigid body structure
• Extended wheelbase (+1.4 inches)
• Wider front and rear tracks (+1.0 inches in front and +0.75 inches in the rear)
• Improved straight-line stability and steering feel
• Exceptional braking performance
• Improved brake cooling

Drivers can seamlessly switch between four pre-set performance settings, selecting different modes for the engine, steering, suspension, and engine sound. In addition to Comfort, Sport, and R+ Mode, a new ‘Individual Model’ mode enables customization of the driving experience.

Powerful, Sleek, and Sophisticated

Beautifully integrated advanced aerodynamics give the Type R a sleeker, more sophisticated, yet muscular look. Designed with input from aerodynamic development members of the HRD Sakura Super GT team, its exterior is also more aerodynamically efficient, generating more downforce improving high speed stability.

Designed in Japan, Type R’s new, more muscular body is 0.8-inches longer, 0.5-inches lower and 0.6-inches wider with broad fenders flared out over wider tracks, and lightweight 19-inch matte black alloy wheels wrapped in wider (+20mm) bespoke Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires. The new wheels use a special “reverse rim” design that improves the stability of the tire contact patch under load.

All body panels forward of the A-pillars are new and unique to the Type R, including a new more aggressive front bumper design. Its lower stance is accentuated by wider rear doors exclusive to Type R and a reshaped rear bumper that reveals its updated signature three round exhaust outlets. A redesigned rear spoiler with aluminum stanchions and a new rear diffuser intensify downforce and reduce drag.

Civic Type R will be available in five striking colors: historic Championship White– a Type R exclusive finish revered by Honda enthusiasts, Rallye Red, Boost Blue, Crystal Black Pearl and Sonic Grey Pearl.

Performance Focused Cockpit

Designed to support intense driving experiences, the cockpit of the new Type R enhances the exhilaration of driving with emotive, performance-focused details and features, including Type R’s iconic red seats, carpet and trim, a redesigned aluminum shift knob, and a serialized Type R plate on the dash.

New interior features include:

• New, lighter, body-stabilizing sport seat
• Thinner pillars for better visibility
• Relocated side mirror and lower hood
• New lightweight, heavily bolstered front sport seats with suede-effect upholstery
• New digital instrument cluster with multiple display options
• Type R+ exclusive meter design (RPM, gear position, rev indicator etc.)
• 9-inch Color Touchscreen
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• QI-compatible wireless charging
• Bose CenterPoint premium sound system

Exclusive to Type R, a new enhanced version of the Honda LogR® Performance Datalogger combines the Type R’s onboard computer and sensors with a new built-in vehicle app. This helps drivers monitor and record a variety of performance parameters in real time when driving on the track or other closed courses, helping to improve driving skills.

Honda LogR® no longer requires a smartphone app, so drivers can use the on-board system or connect to their smartphone for added capability and data sharing. Key features include a stopwatch to record lap times, a tire friction circle in 3D motion that displays the maximum tire force the vehicle can achieve, and an innovative scoring function that helps drivers improve their skills on the track. Users can share their lap times and other data with other Type R owners.