Hottest Hot Hatch Brings More Heat: 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 Civic Type R is the most powerful Honda production vehicle ever offered in Canada. 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.

“Type R is very important for Honda as the pinnacle of our factory performance and an irreplaceable brand that enables enthusiasts to experience Honda’s racing spirit, and seek the ultimate in speed and driving pleasure,” said Hideki Kakinuma, global Civic Type R development leader. “The all-new Civic Type R will continue that legacy, leveraging Honda’s racetrack-proven engineering to deliver extreme performance and passion—both on the road and on the racetrack.”

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 Canada, 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.

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-litre 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 litre, with a specific output of 157.8 hp/litre, up from the previous-generation’s 153.3.

A larger grille opening, bigger radiator and a new large-diameter fan improve engine cooling, ensuring sustained, optimal performance during extreme driving. To further strengthen the driver’s connection with the car, the active exhaust valve opens at higher rpm to heighten and enhance the sound of the engine.

Type R’s smooth and precise six-speed manual transmission is further improved for an even more intimate and rewarding connection with the driver. A lighter flywheel and a revised rev-match system ensures perfectly paired rev-matching when shifting down through the gears, helping maintain stability on corner entry. The high-strength gearbox has also gained a high-rigidity lever and optimized shift gate pattern for a reassured and hyper-precise gear change. A standard helical-type limited-slip differential puts the engine’s power to the pavement effectively.

Now based on the new, 11th-generation Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R’s scalpel-sharp responses and famously addictive driving feel are increased even further by a significantly more rigid body structure that supports both improved dynamics and refinement. The wheelbase has been extended 35 mm for a smoother ride and greater stability. Now measuring 2735 mm, it’s the longest wheelbase in its class.

Its front and rear tracks are also significantly wider (+26 mm in the front and +19 mm inches in the rear). Together with a retuned dual-axis strut front and multilink rear suspension, these changes improve straight-line stability and steering feel. For exceptional braking performance, Type R’s two-piece front brake rotors reduce unsprung weight. Brake cooling is also improved, and a retuned brake booster enhances feel and controllability.

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.