Is the Honda Civic Type R really the fastest sedan?

The latest Honda Civic Type R celebrates 25 years of the brand’s iconic high performance hatchback and 50 years of Civic and has therefore been engineered to deliver the most exhilarating Civic Type R experience to date, building on a long tradition of performance cars inspired by the world of motorsport.

This latest Civic Type R will go on sale in 2023 and is already setting new benchmarks, proof of that is the fact that it recently broke the front-wheel drive lap record around the Suzuka Circuit in Japan.

The goal was to create the most rewarding driving experience in the segment and Honda engineers have spent thousands of hours refining every aspect of this model, including design enhancements that improve aerodynamic performance, while lightweight components and powertrain revisions have created the most responsive and powerful Type R ever and the ultimate expression of a high-performance, front-engine, front-wheel-drive-car.

Through exceptional advancements and the application of motorsport-derived technologies, engineers have far surpassed the capabilities of the previous model. It is this dedication to making the Type R the best it can be that have made it such an icon and so well loved by enthusiasts during its 25-year lifespan.

Aerodynamic design

The Type R takes inspiration from the recently unveiled Honda Civic e:HEV, however it features a noticeably lower and wider stance. The squat form is enhanced with flared wheel arches that house lightweight 19-inch matte black alloy wheels, shod with Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres.

The exterior design conveys a sense of unity, with uncluttered details on the front and rear bumpers as well as beautifully integrated design features such as the rear doors and arches, which have been integrated into the aerodynamic package.

The large lower grille in the front bumper maximises airflow to the engine and compliments the subtle bonnet that now features a vent to maximise airflow around the front end. Large aperture vents behind the front wheels and a new larger rear diffuser that is integrated into the under floor and shaped to work in unison with the bodywork.

The dramatic rear spoiler design contributes to the downforce generation and has been angled rearward to suppress air resistance and sits lower but wider than that of the previous model. Accentuating the sleek new roofline and wider stance.

Driver focussed interior

The interior is designed to support intense driving experiences and the driver sits lower than before, with greater visibility over the bonnet and minimised blind spots. Lightweight front sport seats featuring suede effect upholstery offer exceptional support.

Drivers are able to seamlessly switch between performance settings, with pre-set modes for the engine, steering, suspension and engine sound. Individual Mode has been introduced to enable customisation of the driving experience.

Adding to the performance orientated driving experience is the updated Honda LogR Which combines performance data collected by in car sensors with a smartphone app that helps drivers monitor and record a variety of metrics in real time. Features include a stopwatch, tyre friction circles, 3D vehicle motion display and a driver coaching functionality aimed at improving lap times.

Under the bonnet

The Civic Type R has always been renowned for its powerful, highly responsive and high revving engines and the latest model takes this up a level.

Incremental changes to the 2.0-litre engine include a revised turbocharger that has been optimised to boost power and a revised, high-efficiency exhaust system.

The result is 237kW, which in terms of outright power trumps anything and everything in its class.

Connecting drivers to the improved engine performance is an optimised version of Hondas six-speed manual transmission. The rev-match system has been revised to ensure perfectly paired rev matching when shifting down through the gears. A high-rigidity lever and optimised shift gate pattern ensure a reassuring hyper-precise gear change.

The Civic Type-R has been designed for one reason only and that is to offer driving enthusiasts the best, most focussed solution in its class and it is ready to do so.