Honda Civic Type R named Performance Car of the year at the 2023 TopGear.com Awards

The Honda Civic Type R has been named Performance Car of the year at the 2023 TopGear.com Awards

Honda’s commitment to ground-breaking technology and design innovation has resulted in the Civic Type R being consistently celebrated as the ultimate all round performance car.

“The Civic Type R is a car that can perform on your favourite back road any day of the week, and still put a smile on your face on the occasional weekend track day. It’s not about a perfect road and a vanishingly small operating window of opportunity, but a performance car whose adrenaline is closer to the surface, more accessible, and in many ways, more real. And that’s why the Honda Civic Type R is the TopGear Performance Car of the Year; not because it’s the fastest, but because it’s the car that puts a smile on your face every time you drive it,”, remarked Tom Ford, Associate Editor at Top Gear. 

The most powerful Honda ever

The legendary tradition of building cars for the true enthusiast was taken to the next level with the introduction of the 2023 Honda Civic Type R, the most powerful Honda production vehicle ever to reach South African shores.

The sixth generation of this exciting model was subjected to meticulous development in Japan and rigorous testing at racetracks in Japan, North America and Europe to further improve the Civic Type R’s chassis. The result is more responsiveness, greater comfort and a more thrilling driving experience than ever before.

Under the bonnet is a more powerful version of Honda’s award-winning K20C1 engine. Thanks to improvements to the turbocharger, intake and a more efficient exhaust system, the turbocharged 2.0-litre, four-cylinder engine now produces 235kW at 6 500rpm and 420Nm from 2 600rpm.

Linked to this impressive powerplant is an improved six-speed transmission that offers an intimate and rewarding connection between the driver and the vehicle. A lighter flywheel and revised rev-match system ensure perfectly paired rev matching when shifting down through the gears.

The new Civic Type-R looks the part too. Advanced aerodynamics give it a sleeker, more sophisticated and muscular look. This includes a more aggressive front bumper design and broad fenders that flare out over a wider track and lightweight 19-inch matte black alloy wheels are wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres. The wider stance is accentuated by wider rear doors and a reshaped rear bumper that reveals its updated signature three round exhaust outlets. A redesigned rear spoiler with aluminium stanchions and new rear diffuser intensifies downforce and reduces drag.

Driver focused interior

The interior is enhanced with performance-focused details and features that set it apart from the crowd including exclusive red seats, carpet and trim, a sporty aluminium shift knob and a Type R plate on the dash.

The driver and front passenger sit lower than before in lightweight, heavily bolstered sport seats finished with suede effect upholstery.

The Type R’s exclusive 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster features clean, easy to read graphics and an extensive selection of displays. A second new meter design is exclusive to the Type R’s +R mode and allows the driver to obtain necessary information instantly, with engine rpm and gear position placed at the top. A racing inspired illuminated rev indicator located above the gauge cluster gives the driver a quick indication of engine rpm during performance driving. A new and enhanced version of the trendsetting Honda LogR Performance Datalogger combines the Type R’s onboard computer and sensors with a new built-in vehicle app that helps the driver monitor and record a variety of performance parameters in real time when driving on track.

In addition a new nine-inch colour touchscreen features Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone mirroring capability.

Impressive safety credentials

The new Civic Type R incorporates an extensive suite of premium active and passive safety technologies designed to make driving both easier and safer. In addition to Honda’s proprietary Advanced Compatibility Engineering body structure technology, the Type R also features enhanced Honda Sensing active safety technology, offering a broad range of driver assistance features and driver aids as standard. This is offered in addition to equipment such as front knee airbags, Vehicle Stability Assist, Hill Start Assist, ABS, EBD, Auto Brake Hold, Agile Handle Assist and the Driver Attention Monitor.

Warranty and pricing

The Honda Civic Type R is sold with a five-year/90 000km service plan, five-year/200 000km warranty and three-year roadside assistance.