Honda Civic Type R power figures and more revealed
Honda revealed the 2023 Civic Type R just over a month ago with some preliminary details. Today, Honda is getting much deeper into what’s new and providing a ton of specs to pore over. Plus, there are a bunch of new pics in the above gallery for you to peruse — every color available is represented.
To start, we finally have official U.S.-spec power figures from the revised 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. This Type R is rated at 315 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, representing increases of 9 and 15 respectively. Honda says the extra power and torque comes courtesy of a redesigned turbocharger, intake and exhaust system. The turbo features newly shaped and sized turbine blades, and Honda says that this combined with a better flowing intake enables the turbo to generate pressure over a wider range. As for the exhaust, it features an active exhaust valve that opens up at higher rpm, emitting a louder sound.
In an effort to cool the more powerful engine, Honda says the new Type R features a larger grille opening than before, a bigger radiator and a larger-diameter fan. Enhanced cooling for track use was one of the big targets for the previous-gen Type R’s refresh, so we like to see that Honda has made it a priority right out of the gate with this new Type R.
The only transmission available is a six-speed manual. The gearbox is improved from the previous six-speed with a new high-rigidity lever and an “optimized shift gate pattern” for a “hyper-precise gear change.” It also gets a lighter flywheel and a rev-match system.
2023 Honda Civic Type R
Chassis specs and suspension changes are in this info drop, and just like the non-R Civic Hatchback, it’s sporting a 107.7-inch wheelbase — that’s up 1.4 inches from the previous generation. The front track is 1 inch wider and the rear track is 0.75 inch wider than the old R, too. Honda’s magical dual-axis strut front suspension design that makes torque steer disappear is back, but it’s been re-tuned for this generation. The multilink rear suspension is re-tuned, too, and Honda claims these changes in front and rear improve straight-line stability and steering feel.
It’s all riding on new 19-inch matte black wheels that make use of what Honda calls a “reverse rim” design meant to improve the stability of the tire contact patch when under load. These wheels are wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires measuring 265-section-width at all four corners — that’s 20 mm more than before. Hidden behind the wheels are two-piece front brake rotors, and the braking system as a whole is optimized with a re-tuned brake booster. Brake cooling is also improved, and Honda says it’s made improvements in both feel and controllability.
Honda says this new Type R is both more aerodynamically efficient and provides more downforce than the previous generation. All of the aero — like the new rear wing and rear diffuser — was designed with input from development members of the HRD Sakura Super GT racing team.
