Honda civic type r 2022 interior

This is the all-new Honda Civic Type R – it looks better than ever, has more power, and is already breaking lap records. Read on for full details…

• New Honda Civic Type R revealed
• Completely new design
• Upgraded engine
• 330hp possible
• Improved power-to-weight ratio
• Retains manual gearbox and front-wheel drive
• Significant interior upgrades
• On sale in Europe in early 2023

This is the brand-new Honda Civic Type R. It’s the 6th generation Civic Type R and it’s shaping up to be even better than ever.

Thinking of buying a Volkswagen Golf R, Audi S3 or a BMW M135i? You may want to put away the chequebook until you’ve read this…

Honda has dialled back the boy-racer vibes slightly for this new Type R.  For starters, there aren’t any more fake bumper vents or a huge bonnet scoop – instead, you get a smooth body-coloured bumper and small vent that helps hot air escape from the engine bay.

The rear spoiler is still much bigger than anything you get on an Audi S3 or Mercedes-AMG A35, but it sits on shorter metal struts instead of huge vertical end plates like the old model’s.

Honda has kept the cool Ferrari-inspired triple-exhaust system and rear diffuser, but it’s ditched the old Type R’s stuck-on wheel arch extensions in favour of flares that have been neatly smoothed into the bodywork.

All-in, this new Type R looks more mature than the old car – like someone in their 20s who’s decided to get their embarrassing teenage tattoos blended into a grown-up sleeve design. It still stands out, but you won’t be ashamed to show it off to strangers…

New Honda Civic Type R engine

The brand-new Civic Type R uses the same 2-litre, 4-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine as the old model, albeit with an upgraded turbo that uses a smaller housing and new turbine blades to help it make more power.

How much power? Honda won’t say for European cars, however, the North American Honda Civic Type R has 319hp – a 9hp bump over the previous American Type R.

However, European spec cars typically get more power than US spec ones. The last Civic Type R to be sold in Europe got 320hp, so if this version sees a similar power boost it could have around 330hp.

Watch this review to see how quick the old Civic Type R was…

That would make this winged-wonder more powerful than the comparatively hum-drum-looking Volkswagen Golf R, Audi S3, BMW M135i or a Mercedes-AMG A35 – those cars all produce between 306hp and 320hp.

New Honda Civic Type R 0-60mph

Frustratingly, Honda appears to be keeping the new Type R’s 0-60mph figures in an envelope marked ‘don’t tell anyone.’ You’ll just have to be happy with knowing that its extra power and improved power-to-weight ratio should make it quicker than the old car (which would crack the all-important sprint in 5.8 seconds.)

A time in the region of 5.5 seconds seems likely – that’s quick, but it’s still almost a second slower than the Volkswagen Golf R’s claimed 4.7-second sprint time. More worryingly, though, is that the Golf R has shown that it can go even quicker.

Watch Mat’s Volkswagen Golf R review video to find out how quick it REALLY is…

New Honda Civic Type R gearbox

The main reason why the old Civic Type would be repeatedly out-dragged by its numerous (but far less characterful) German alternatives was its front-wheel-drive layout and manual gearbox.

Pick any other 300hp+ hot hatch out of a metaphorical hot-hatch-hat and you can bet it’ll come with four-wheel drive, an automatic gearbox and launch control.

That said, these two apparent Achilles’ heels were what made the Type R so much fun to drive around a track. To this end, Honda has also fitted stronger shift linkages and has tweaked the H-pattern slightly for this new Type R and retuned the auto rev-matching feature to improve the car’s balance when you shift down.

New Honda Civic Type R driving

Honda has also tweaked the two-piece brake discs and Brembo callipers, and it’s revamped the car’s cooling system specifically for heavy track use.

It also got rid of the last Type R’s 20-inch alloy wheels and fitted some lighter 19-inch rims with sticky Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres as standard.

Another new feature for this Type R is the ‘Individual’ driving mode that lets you pick your favourite engine and suspension settings from the car’s Comfort, Sport and +R modes, and combine them in any way you like. For example, you could have the engine in +R mode and the suspension in Comfort.

New Honda Civic Type R interior

The new Civic Type R’s interior is laid out just like the standard Civic’s. There’s a neat dashboard with a free-standing touchscreen and a digital driver’s display instead of analogue dials.

The bright red sports seats are Type R exclusives, however, as are the red carpets, the steering wheel and the signature titanium gear knob.

New Honda Civic Type R price

The new Honda Civic Type R will go on sale in Europe in early 2023. Honda hasn’t said how much it’ll cost in the UK but North American prices have been confirmed at $43,990 (around £38,000). That’s around £5,000 more than the outgoing car, but still cheaper than the £40,000+ Volkswagen Golf R and BMW M135i.

Can’t wait for this new Honda Civic Type R? Check out deals on the current car through carwow, or compare offers on the latest hot hatches. You can also sell your old car though carwow, and it’s quick and easy. Tap the button below to find out more.

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