The launch of the 2023 Honda Civic Type R was naturally met with a lot of excitement. The Honda Civic Type R has been a popular part of the Honda line-up for generations, and over the years it's gone through various mechanical and styling changes. This latest generation has generated an awful lot of excitement, with some of the best styling on a Type R in years, but Honda has been quite secretive for a while about the true performance figures of this latest and greatest Type R.
Not so much anymore though. The Japanese car manufacturer has finally given us the performance figures we have been craving with this car, although we still do not have the price figures for this latest Type R. Plus, we have some tasty new photos of the car in various colors that we can get it in, and with Honda finally revealing the US spec power figures this makes the upcoming Type R release even more exciting. This is everything we just learned about the new Civic Type R, as we prepare to finally get our hands on it.
Honda Finally Confirms Performance Specs Of The 2023 Civic Type R
The US specification power figures are what we are really excited about here, figures Honda has only teased when they revealed the car around a month ago. The Type R is officially rated at 315 hp with 310 lb-ft of torque from its revised 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, an increase of 9 hp and 15 lb-ft of torque over the previous spec of the Type R. A redesigned turbocharger, intake and exhaust system is where this extra power and torque comes from.
When it comes to the turbo, Honda says that it has newly shaped and sized turbine blades. This they say is also combined with a better flowing intake, and helps the turbo to generate pressure over a wider range. The exhaust meanwhile is an active type, and has a valve that opens up at higher rpm and thus emitting a louder sound as you put your foot down. Our eyes can’t fail to notice the larger grille on the new Type R, with a bigger radiator and a larger-diameter. Part of the reason for this is down to the enhanced cooling needed for the track, something that was also a big focus point of the previous-gen Type R.
The Transmission And The Chassis
When it comes to transmission options, we will have only have a six-speed manual available for the Type R. But that’s okay, as that is perhaps all most people will want anyway. The gearbox is much improved over the previous six-speed edition, with a new high-speed rigidity lever in place and an optimized shift gate pattern, that Honda says allows for a hyper-precise gear change. A lighter flywheel and rev-match system as also highlights, so it certainly sounds like a great manual transmission is what we will get in this latest Type R.
Chassis wise, the Type R features a 107.7-inch wheelbase which as the same as the standard Civic hatchback. This is also 1.4-inches longer than the previous generation Type R. The track at the front is an inch winder with the rear track 0.75 of an inch wider than the previous Type R too. Honda have worked their magic with the suspension too, with the Civic featuring their dual-axis strut front suspension that makes torque steer disappear. The rear suspension is the multilink affair, both of which are now retuned and Honda say that the changes allow for an improved straight-line stability and steering feel.
What Else We Need To Know About The New Civic Type R
Honda claims that this new generation of the Civic Type R is more aerodynamic and efficient than the previous generation, as well as providing more downforce as well. The aero is of course on full show, with the new rear wing and rear diffuser the obvious highlights to us as an outside observer. This was all done with the input of the HRD Sakura Super GT Racing Team, to allow the Civic Type R to be as aerodynamic and as potent as possible, while also allowing it to perform on the road.
Getting Ready For The New Type R
We still don’t have a price for the new Type R, which is frustrating. Especially with all of these new details on show from Honda. But it still gets us very excited to see at last the full details of the latest and greatest Type R to come from the Japanese car manufacturer. The interior also features a few neat additions, such as the lower seating position but with enhanced visibility, and the epic red seats. They are the only color option we can get inside, but that is one feature that makes the Honda Civic Type R so great.
Source: Honda