Image: Honda
In what is probably one of the most anticipated reveals of the year, Honda just gave the world its first full look at the all-new 2023 Civic Type R at an event in Los Angeles. While Type R versions of the Civic have been available in the rest of the world since 1997, this is only the second-generation Civic Type R to come to the U.S. Based on the 11th-generation Civic hatchback, which was introduced for 2021, the design is much more grown than the last CTR.
For more of our exclusive photos of the 2023 Civic Type R, click here!
New Civic Type R: Exterior
Photo: Ernest Crosby
Gone is the tired, boyish racer, ‘wear my hat back and drink’ design of the previous generation, replaced by clean lines all around on a longer, lower and wider body. Apart from the large wing, hood vent and red Type R badges, the rest of the new CTR is almost subtle. Especially in Historic Championship White, the exclusive Type R paint color you see here.
Photo: Ernest Crosby
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Up front, Honda gave the Type R a large lower grille—look closely and you can see a huge intercooler behind it—a front spoiler and the red badging we’ve come to expect on Type R products.
Photo: Honda
The good news is that Honda says every scoop or vent on the Type R is fully functional for cooling, aerodynamics, or both. Vents behind the front wheels help cool the front brakes, and a hood vent pulls hot air from the engine compartment.
Photo: Ernest Crosby
At the back there is a huge black wing which is again functional. The rear bumper is unique to the Type R, with an updated version of the triple tailpipe we saw on the last generation CTR and rear diffusers.
2023 Honda Civic Type R: The interior
Photo: Honda
The Type R’s interior looks fantastic, building on the vastly improved interior of the 11th generation Civic. The biggest update with the new Type R: Even more red trim. The seats, which used to be red with black accents, are now all red and even the carpet is now red instead of black. The seats are upholstered in a suede-like material. Once seated in them, they are fantastically grippy and should have no problem holding the rider in place during tight turns.
Photo: Honda
New Civic Type R: engine and drivetrain
Photo: Ernest Crosby
Honda’s familiar 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine returns, as does the six-speed manual transmission with automatic rev control (which, thankfully, you can turn off). The suspension and steering are Nürburgring-tuned to be more responsive and precise.
Honda also added a new driving mode called +R, activated by a button near the gear lever. Right now, we only know that this button calls up a new performance-focused layout for the instrument panel (showing a large horizontal RPM readout) and center screen (with additional gauge readings for coolant temperature, oil pressure, and more). We suspect the +R mode also dials in more aggressive drivetrain and chassis settings, but we’ll have to wait to get the details on all that.
Photo: Ernest Crosby
The Type R also gets a track-oriented data logging system called the Honda LogR, which records real-time vehicle information such as pedal pressure and steering angle, along with a stopwatch for recording lap times and a camera for video footage. tour.
2023 Civic Type R: Performance and Power
Photo: Ernest Crosby
As for performance, well, Honda didn’t release any details on horsepower, torque, 0-60 or the like. The ’23 Type R is definitely faster than its predecessor on the track: Honda recently set a front-wheel drive record at Suzuka with the prototype car you see here. Honda says the 2023 Type R will be the most powerful Honda car ever offered in the US; those figures, along with pricing details, will be available later this year.
We’ll have to wait for more details as the Civic Type R’s on-sale date nears. The Type R is set to be fully launched this fall.
Photo: Ernest Crosby
Photo: Ernest Crosby
Photo: Ernest Crosby
Photo: Ernest Crosby
Photo: Ernest Crosby
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