Honda Civic Type R 2020: two new versions for a car that resists electrification

Antonio Roncero @roncero_antonio 17 December 2020 4 min.

One of the benchmarks among high-performance sports compacts, the Honda Civic Type R, receives improvements to offer an even purer driving experience.

Recently, Honda announced that from 2022 it will only sell electrified cars. But in its range it has a model like the Honda Civic Type R, which resists falling into the clutches of “volts”, at least for now. What happens to this model in the future we will know sooner rather than later, because Honda is already working on the next generation of the Civic. And electrification is not incompatible with a high-performance model, especially for Honda.

While that moment arrives, the Japanese brand presents its Civic Type R range for 2020, with some styling changes, performance improvements and two new versions: Limited Edition and R Sport Line.

2.0 VTEC Turbo engine with 320 CV, revised suspension

In both cases the engine remains the 2.0 Turbo VTEC 4-cylinder supercharged, which delivers a maximum output of 320 CV at 6,500 rpm and a maximum torque of 400 Nm between 2,500 and 4,500 rpm. Performance remains top-tier: 5.8 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h and a top speed of 272 km/h, with the driving experience conveyed by the magnificent six-speed manual gearbox.

However, it now uses a new flywheel designed to improve engine response and clutch operation, in addition to modifying the final drive ratio of the transmission to shorten the gear spacing and benefit acceleration.

Other changes affect the programs of the driving mode selector, which allows choosing between the Sport, Comfort and +R programs. Now, Sport mode is activated by default when starting the vehicle, and its setting offers a balance between comfort and dynamism that would sit between the standard and +R modes of the previous Type R. In the latter, aimed at track driving, the torque curve configuration becomes more aggressive.

Honda has also modified the damping settings, and updated control software for the adaptive suspension. By increasing the sampling frequency from 2 to 20 Hz, it can “read” road conditions and driving style up to 10 times faster. The brakes receive new pads, and the diameter of the rear-axle discs is increased.

Civic Type R Limited Edition: only 100 units

This is the most extreme Civic Type R; just look at the images. Only 100 units of this genuine track car will be allocated to Europe, lightened by 47 kg compared with the standard version and fitted with MICHELIN Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres mounted on forged 20-inch BBS wheels. The tyres and wheels alone save 10 kg; the rest is achieved by dispensing with soundproofing on the roof, wheel arches or dashboard.

This version is offered in a new yellow colour with black contrast paint on the roof, mirrors and bonnet air outlet. Inside, the seats and steering wheel are upholstered in red. The rear seats are retained.

Civic Type R Sport Line: the “elegant” sports car

If the Limited Edition’s spoiler seems too “aggressive” for you, the new Sport Line offers a somewhat more discreet exterior design. In this case the spoiler is much smaller, and the wheels become 19 inches, fitted with Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres.

In the Sport Line, the cabin is more refined than in the Limited Edition. The seats are upholstered in black with red stitching, and the infotainment system is retained, with the 7-inch screen compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

In all versions the controls for the multimedia and climate control system have been updated, with physical buttons added. And the LogR data recording system debuts, for the first time in a Honda. It allows drivers to record driving parameters, providing much more complete information than third-party apps. It not only records performance, but also adds vehicle information and a driving score.

The prices of the new Honda Type R 2020 for the Spanish market are as follows: