Honda Civic Type R, presentation and road test in Bratislava

Nobody minds a sweet. Even if that sweet turns out to be rather…sour. Or bitter. Even if that sweet surprises you with an explosion of sensations you wouldn’t expect from a sweet.

We travelled to Bratislava, Slovakia, not to visit a sweet factory, but to try the latest Japanese sweet, namely the new generation of the Honda Civic Type R.

The Civic is the compact par excellence within the Japanese brand Honda, a model with decades of history, which is now moving into its 8th generation. At Honda they are well aware of how important a sporty model is within a compact range, and they have worked very hard to reinterpret the “Type R” concept in this generation, resulting in what is possibly the most radical Civic we have ever seen on the road.

Aesthetically, this Civic Type R is immediately distinguishable from a standard Civic. They wanted to draw attention and show, even when standing still, the dynamic potential of this model. No matter where you look at it, you will always find unique features that make it easily recognisable.

The front changes with the addition of a bumper with much larger, more open air intakes, which are also necessary for the correct cooling of the vehicle’s dynamic components. It also includes a very low splitter that helps channel the air correctly.

The front wings have been completely modified. A ventilation grille has been added; they are noticeably wider and include a moulding that further emphasises the sporty focus. The car sports 19-inch black wheels, fitted with Continental ContiSport 6 tyres developed specifically for this model, in size 235/35/19.

Side skirts, tinted windows and black door handles make the sportiness evident at any moment, something that is magnified considerably when we look at the rear, where the changes are more than obvious. A powerful spoiler crowns the rear, which begins to be modified from below with a specific bumper featuring a functional black diffuser flanked by four large exhaust outlets (two on each side).

The interior also undergoes numerous changes. As soon as you open the door, you are greeted by bucket-type seats with a truly sporty look. They are upholstered in red and black Alcantara, both colours predominating in the cabin. The seat belts are also red. The steering wheel, trimmed in black and red leather, hints at what we are about to find, as does grabbing the gear lever, which still retains the rounded shape of old and the brushed aluminium finish.

The instrumentation is specific. A new monitor is also added at the top, called i-Mid, with numerous telemetry data such as oil pressure and temperature, brake/accelerator use, or a stopwatch.
Of course, the identification plate with the unit number, the carbon-fibre-effect mouldings and the red ambient lighting are all present, adding the racing and rather rebellious touch that the Type R is known for.

Track driving, a beast perfectly tuned

Once you sit inside, behind the wheel, and adjust the controls to your liking, you realise you are about to drive something “serious”. When you start it, the roar is more than enough to make the person next to you turn, look, and be amazed.

The Type R has had practically every mechanical component of the Civic redesigned, starting with the engine. We are talking about a 2.0 direct-injection, turbocharged engine, with variable valve timing on both intake and exhaust (VTEC) and variable camshaft phasing (Dual VTC). It also features other technological marvels such as an electronically controlled wastegate, which allows boost pressure to be maintained for longer. It delivers 310 PS at 6,500 rpm and 400 Nm between 2,500 and 4,500 rpm. It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.7 seconds, reaching a top speed of 270 km/h.

The gearbox is a manual 6-speed, with close ratios and minimal travel (40 mm), allowing extremely quick and precise shifts. Its feel is delightful, and no automatic transmission is planned.

Both axles have received reinforced and improved suspension systems. At the front there is a dual-axis system, which allows the steering (electric, though recalibrated for this model) to act specifically on the hub (at the wheel’s geometric centre), keeping the suspension working in an optimal range without parasitic movements. The damping is adaptive in real time, independently for each shock absorber, virtually eliminating body roll in corners. The chassis as a whole is 18% stiffer than a standard Civic.

Despite being front-wheel drive and having a more than notable power output, the Type R overwhelmingly manages to defy expectations thanks to the limited-slip differential (Torsen-type), which combined with a dynamic cornering braking system ensures not a single horsepower is wasted.

There is also a driving mode called “+R”, activated by a button. With this system the car goes “on alert”: the engine response becomes sharper, the suspension is 30% firmer, the VSA (stability control) changes its intervention logic, and the steering limits its assistance.

The braking system has also been substantially revised: the Type R fits 350 mm ventilated, drilled front discs with four-piston fixed calipers, while the rear axle has 296 mm solid discs. All of this is signed by Brembo. Its deceleration capacity is superb, always maintaining a precise feel that does not fade over time even when we increase the pace.

Road driving, effectiveness above all

At Honda they insist on one very specific characteristic of the new Civic Type R. According to the Japanese, it is not a high-performance road car, but a race car that happens to be driven on the streets. Although that may sound a little presumptuous, the people at Honda seem to have it very clear…

All the chassis improvements result in a vehicle extremely effective on the road. Motorways, although not its favourite terrain, present no effort for either the car or its occupants. It is clear that the Type R is less comfortable than a standard Civic, but that does not stop it from being usable every day. Only a drone at certain revs may become slightly bothersome after some time on a long journey.

National roads are a piece of cake for it. Overtaking is a mere formality, carried out with astonishing ease, accompanied once again by the delight of using the gearbox. The suspension, although firm, is not harsh, so it does not become uncomfortable in that respect. Visibility is good, except for the central mirror due to the double rear window.

On winding roads, the Type R’s ease at going really fast can almost be described as insulting. The limited-slip differential does its job perfectly, transmitting all the power to the front wheels as faithfully as possible. The steering, while not the paradigm of feel, is considerably sportier and more precise than average. In short, if we look away for a moment, we will be cruising at prison-break speeds…

The Type R will reach dealerships in September, with a launch price of €34,500. A better-equipped version called GT is also available, priced at €37,000. In short, I am clear on it: the Civic Type R is back, and how.

Photography | Daniel Valdivielso

Technical specifications of this car

HatchbackHonda Civic3 versions · from 36,300 €