2023 Honda Civic Type R, All you want to know & watch about a Great Car
Now, One Last Good Look at the 2023 Honda Civic Type R Prototype Before It Debuts
Honda has teased a Nürburgring lap time could be imminent with video of the Type R at the track.
The Subaru WRX STI might be dead for now, and there’s new competition in the Toyota GR Corolla hatchback, but we’re still excited for the imminent unveiling of the next-gen Honda Civic Type R, which will build on the great new—okay, somewhat recycled but nonetheless great—foundation that is the 11th generation Civic. As we hurtle towards its scheduled debut this summer, Honda is teasing us with what it’s been working on at least one more time. New video of the Type R prototype running around the famous Nürburgring track in Germany shows the car in full attack mode, and it looks and sounds very good so far.
Honda already sent the car out to set a new lap record for front-wheel drive cars around Suzuka Circuit in Japan, and now it seems like there’s a coordinated effort to set a solid time around the Nürburgring Nordschleife in Germany. Over the years, Nürburgring lap times have become something of a performance benchmark for automakers to measure the abilities of their cars through the varying conditions and challenges of the nearly 23 km (14 mi) long track.
Back in 2017, the outgoing Type R set a new front-wheel drive record with a time of 7 minutes and 43.8 seconds, so the new one has to at least be able to beat that time, we’d imagine. A second video offers the same audio and visuals of the Type R prototype at the track, in English:
We expect a more powerful 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with more than 300 horsepower, upgraded brakes with red Brembo calipers likely (they are visible behind this prototype’s blacked-out wheels), and special bucket seats, at least, and the prototype has been spotted wearing Michelin Pilot 4S tires. Details have been limited so far, but we know we’re getting the full reveal sometime soon this summer.
2023 Honda Civic Type R Starting at $39,000 est
Overview
The 2023 Honda Civic Type R will look more reserved than its overstylized predecessor, but that shouldn’t keep it from being more exciting to drive. While we await official details on the next generation of Honda’s highest-performance hatchback, we anticipate its updated turbocharged four-cylinder engine will up the ante in the power department. We’re also happy to hear that the next Type R will keep its manual transmission. Drivers who can’t do the three-pedal shuffle might also get bailed out by a newly available dual-clutch automatic.
What’s New for 2023?
Honda teases us by revealing a prototype of the 2023 Civic Type R. So while we have a better idea of what the next-gen CTR will look like, we can only speculate about its production specs. We’re confident it’ll include a more powerful version of the current turbo four. We’ve also spied a camouflaged model testing, which did little to disguise its distinct rear wing and aggressive wheel-and-tire package.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
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Honda hasn’t said how much the 2023 Civic Type R will cost, but we expect it’ll start just under $40,000 when it goes on sale. However, we’re told that won’t be until sometime in 2022.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
The new Civic Type R will continue to be powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder, but it’ll be more powerful than the current generation that makes 306 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. Honda has confirmed that the mightiest Civic will still have a standard manual transmission, and we think it might also add a dual-clutch automatic to match the Hyundai Veloster N. The upcoming Type R won’t have a new chassis, but rather an evolution of the one that underpinned the outgoing model.
We believe that rules out the adoption of a control-arm front suspension—as seen on the Acura TLX. Instead, the front-drive-only Honda will probably continue to use its innovative dual-axis strut front suspension that does a terrific job of suppressing torque steer. While the next Civic Type R won’t be as visually extreme, it’ll still have a prominent rear wing and other aerodynamic addenda, as well as 20-inch wheels wrapped with sticky performance tires.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
Neither the EPA nor Honda has said how fuel-efficient the 2023 Civic Type R will be in the city or on the highway. Once those estimates are announced and we have the chance to run one on our 75-mph highway fuel-economy route—part of our extensive testing regimen—we can evaluate its real-world mpg. For more information about the Civic Type R’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
Although the new Civic Type R will have a more minimalist interior design than its predecessor—which should give it, as with the exterior, a more mature impression—we still expect a lot of racy visual cues. They should include red accents, faux carbon-fiber trim, and—hopefully—a familiar set of very comfy and supportive front seats. As with the regular Civic, it’ll have a digital gauge cluster and physical climate controls located above a center console with a large storage bin and two cupholders.
Infotainment and Connectivity
Honda’s latest infotainment system runs through a 9.0-inch touchscreen mounted on top of the Type R’s dashboard. We expect it to be packed with popular standard features such as wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as a subscription-based Wi-Fi hotspot and wireless smartphone charging.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
We expect the Civic Type R will continue to come with a host of standard driver-assistance technology. For more information about the Civic Type R’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features should include:
- Standard forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking
- Standard lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist
- Standard adaptive cruise control
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
Honda provides average limited and powertrain warranties that don’t include any complimentary maintenance. Those who seek more comprehensive coverage will want to check out Hyundai’s plans, which are better in all three phases.
- Limited warranty covers three years or 36,000 miles
- Powertrain warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles
- No complimentary scheduled maintenance
BYÂ ERIC STAFFORDÂ / caranddriver
2023 Honda Civic Type R, On Youtube