The new Honda Civic Type-R doesn't arrive until September but we've already stretched it to the core at the Slovakia Ring in Slovakia. Along the way, there was still time for a first contact on the road.
The new Honda Civic Type-R arrives five years later and is dubbed a “racing car for the road”. According to Honda, this status is due to its 310 hp coming from the new 2-litre VTEC Turbo, as well as the +R mode that reveals the more radical side of the Honda Civic Type-R.
Once in Bratislava it was time to hit the track and the road behind the wheel of the new Honda Civic Type-R. But first, I leave you with some technical considerations to flesh out this first contact.
VIDEO: New Honda Civic Type-R was fastest at Nürburgring
It is impossible to ignore that the horsepower already exceeds 300 hp: there are 310 hp and front wheel drive. The Honda Civic Type-R manages to be more powerful than the Volkswagen Golf R and maintain all traction at the front. Left behind are icons of modern times such as the Renault Mégane RS Trophy (275 hp) or even a “modest” Volkswagen Golf GTi Performance with 230 hp.
On the spec sheet given to me hours before I get behind the wheel, the numbers continue to grab attention. Acceleration from 0-100 km/h is achieved in 5.7 sec., top speed is limited to 270 km/h and weight is below 1400 kg. Basically, Honda invites us to enter the football field and play in the first league, with the captain's armband.
When announcing a VTEC Turbo for the Honda Civic Type-R, the Japanese brand received criticism from some fans, because they were breaking a tradition sealed by gasoline vapors that had exploded at stratospheric rotations. Here the redline appears at 7,000 rpm, with 310 hp available at 6,500 rpm. Torque is fully available at 2,500 rpm and there is 400 Nm for sense satisfaction.
RUMORS: The Honda Civic Type-R Coupé Could Be Like This
Moving into the interior, we immediately have the feeling that we are behind the wheel of something special, with exclusive seats, steering wheel and box. The red suede bacquets surround us and at the wheel a small adjustment is enough to make it perfectly aligned for a determined drive. It's a sport, it's confirmed! Next to the right leg and right at the seedbed is a 6-speed manual gearbox, with a 40 mm stroke (same as the 2002 NSX-R). On the left side of the steering wheel is the +R button, there we go.
In addition to this driver-focused interior, outside and in the details, everything has been thought out in detail so that there is no doubt that this Honda Civic Type-R is a different car from the rest, let alone the giant rear wing, the four outputs of exhaust or side skirts. The red valve cap and aluminum intake manifold came directly from the Honda Civics of the WTCC championship.
New 2.0 VTEC Turbo Engine
This engine is part of the new series of Earth Dreams technologies, with a turbocharger now incorporating VTEC (Variable Timing and Lift Electronic Control) and VTC (Dual – Variable Timing Control) technology. The first is an electronic control system for the command and opening of the valves and the second is a variable distribution control system, which allows for an increase in the engine's response at low rpm.
The Honda Civic Type-R received a helical limited-slip differential (LSD), allowing for significant improvements in cornering traction. As an example, the presence of this differential takes 3 seconds off the lap time at the Nürburgring-Nordschleife Circuit, where the Honda Civic Type-R set a time around 7 minutes and 50.53 seconds.
Designed with efficiency in mind
There were a lot of tests conducted by the Honda team during the development of the Honda Civic Type-R. Among them was Honda Racing Development's wind tunnel test in Sakura, Japan, where Honda's Formula 1 engine development program is based.
With an almost flat underside, the passage of air under the vehicle is easy and by combining this feature with the rear diffuser, it is possible to optimize aerodynamic support as much as possible. The Honda Civic Type-R promises to stick to the road.
At the front we find a bumper specially designed to improve stability at high speed, able to reduce turbulence around the front wheels. Behind it is a spoiler determined to make a point, but just enough so that, according to Honda engineers, it doesn't contribute to the increase in high-speed drag. At the rear edges of the wheel arches there are clearly visible air intakes designed to cool the brakes.
The front LEDs are not new and we can already find them on the conventional Honda Civic, as the wheels wear tires specifically developed by Continental for this model (235/35). In the color palette there are five colors available: Milano Red, Crystal Black (480€), Polished Metal (480€), Sporty Brilliant Blue (480€) and the traditional White Championship (1000€).
At the center of the dashboard is the i-MID, an intelligent multi-information display. There we can get a lot of information: acceleration indicator G and brake pressure indicator/accelerator pedal position indicator, turbo-charger pressure indicator, water temperature and oil pressure and temperature indicator, lap time indicator, indicator acceleration times (0-100 km/h or 0-60 mph) and acceleration times indicator (0-100 m or 0-1/4 mile).
SEE ALSO: Don't mess with a Honda Civic Type R on track
In our field of view is the rev counter, accompanied at the top by rev indicator lights that converge in different colors as in competition.
+R: technology at the service of performance
The suspension of the new Honda Civic Type-R is an ally of efficiency. Honda has developed a new four-wheel variable damper system, which allows it to independently control each wheel and manages all changes caused by acceleration, deceleration and cornering speed.
Pressing the +R button, the Honda Civic Type-R becomes a machine capable of even faster responses, in addition to visual changes on the instrument panel that remind us that we are driving a model with the “red symbol”.
Torque delivery becomes faster, steering ratio is shorter and assistance is reduced. With the help of the adaptive damper system, in +R mode the Honda Civic Type-R is 30% stiffer. City driving with this mode turned on is for the brave, trust me. Stability control is less intrusive, contributing to increased driving fun.
On track the Honda Civic Type-R feels focused on performance, extremely fast and able to easily tackle a very technical circuit like the Slovakia Ring. The brakes are relentless and the ability to corner at high speed has also impressed on the positive. The new 2.0 VTEC Turbo engine is very progressive and capable, on the road it is easy to drive and is always available. The combined consumption announced is 7.3 l/100 km.
NOT TO BE MISSED: If the Honda Civic Type-R's time at the Nürburgring is beaten, Honda builds a more radical version
The new Honda Civic Type-R hits the Portuguese market in September with prices starting at 39,400 euros. If you are looking for a full-extra version with even more visual touches, you can opt for the GT version (41,900 euros).
In the GT version we find an integrated Garmin navigation system, premium sound system with 320W, automatic air conditioning and red interior ambient lighting. Honda also offers a range of advanced driving assistance systems: Ahead Collision Warning, Lane Departure Warning, High beam Support System, Blind Spot Information, Side Traffic Monitor, Signal Recognition System Traffic.
Let's wait for a complete test of the new Honda Civic Type-R to draw more conclusions, until then stay with our first impressions and a complete gallery.
Images: Honda
Be sure to follow us on Instagram and Twitter
