New 2023 Honda Civic Type R on the way
- New Honda Civic Type R imminant
- Expected to get 320PS turbocharged engine
- On sale next year for around £40,000
Honda has whetted the appetite of hot hatch buyers by revealing its new Honda Civic Type R has lapped the Suzuki circuit in Japan in 2 minutes 23.120 seconds – 0.873 seconds quicker than the previous front-wheel-drive record, which was of course... the old Honda Civic Type R.
The new Type R is expected to get an updated version of the old model's 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine, subtler looks and a posher interior with two large infotainment screens. Here's what we know so far.
2023 Honda Civic Type R: price and release date
The new Honda Civic Type R is expected to be priced from around £40,000 when it goes on sale next year. That means it would be a match for rivals like the Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport (£40,005), BMW M135i xDrive (£38,440) and the Mercedes-AMG A35 4Matic Edition (£41,540).
|
Find the latest Honda Civic Type R deals on HonestJohn.co.uk |
2023 Honda Civic Type R: styling and interior
The new Honda Civic Type R has already been revealed in camouflage giving us a good idea what the new car will look like.
'Subtle' sums it up. Sure, you still get a big wing at the back but you don't get is the light spraying of aero details that made the old car look so off-putting to some – like it had driven through Halfords' front window and taken most of the contents with it. Not ideal when you're trying to tempt away conservative Golf GTI buyers.
This car should solve that problem. Sure, there's that wing, aggressive bumpers, side skirts and a trio of centrally located exhausts, but the old car's roof vortex generators (yes, they were a thing), winglets and red-trimmed wheels have gone. The remaining silhouette is still very clearly 'Type R' just said more quitely.
You can expect the new Type R to get a similar interior to the new regular Civic (pictured) but with sporty touches like a metal gearknob and heavily bolstered sports seats. You'll find an infotainment screen in place of conventional dials and a centre display that is easier to use than the one in the current car – itself a vast improvement on the screen that came before.
Quality will also be improved, while the current car's impressive interior space – it has more rear legroom and a bigger boot than almost all its rivals – is set to stay. The standard Honda Civic – the car the new Type R will be based on – has a wheel base that is 35mm longer than the old model's.
2023 Honda Civic Type R: engine and performance
The 2023 Honda Civic is likely to get a revised version of the current model's 320PS, 2.0-litre four-cylinder unit – which got it from 0-62mph in 5.7 seconds and on to a top speed of 169mph.
That said, a hybrid engine has also been rumoured and it would be a better fit for the regular Civic range which is hybrid only. If the Type R did go hybrid, it would likely get a similar setup to the Honda NSX supercar – with a petrol engine backed up by three electric motors making the car four-wheel drive.
Whatever engine the new Type R gets, it'll be bolted to a chassis that's at least a fifth stiffer than the outgoing model's allowing for more precise handling in bends. Expect the new Civic Type R to come with a limited-slip differential and adjustable dampers as standard.
It'll remain front-wheel drive, serving its power through a limited slip differential but expect revised suspension and steering to make the car's performance even more accessible.
Is the Honda Civic Type R fun?
The Honda Civic Type R might be a sensible hatchback, but it's also a serious performance car with grip and straight-line go that'll humble so-called sports cars. Fun? You betcha.
Is Civic Type R overpriced?
The global semi-conductor shortage means that Honda Civic Type Rs are holding their value exceptionally well – you'll need £27,000 to get your hands on a good one, while new cars are commanding a £10,000 premium on their list price.
Is the Honda Civic Type R fast?
The Honda Civic Type R's 320PS turbocharged engine gets it from 0-62mph in 5.7 seconds and on to a top speed of 169mph – it's fast.
New Cars Coming Soon
Before you step into a showroom, read our in-depth guide to all the new cars coming in the next 12 months and beyond – some are well worth the wait.
Read more
