Ten Things you Need to Know about the Honda Civic Type R
The Honda Civic Type R was one of the most highly anticipated sports cars of the last decade, and Honda definitely did its homework, because the track-focused hot hatch has never been so intense. We’ll even go as far as saying it surpasses its rivals.
While its radical styling still hasn’t grown on us, we give credit to Honda for manufacturing a high adrenaline machine that properly does homage to the red R’s performance legacy. Here are ten things you need to know about the Honda Civic Type R.
10) It’s the First Civic Type R to be Sold in North America
While it’s quite common to spot the red R glued onto the trunk of a modified Honda Civic, the Civic Type R has never officially been sold in our market. The only Type R Honda we ever got was the Integra Type R, sold under the Acura brand between 1997 and 1998, then between 2000 and 2001.
9) The Car is Built in England, but its Engine is American
Honda may be a Japanese carmaker, but the Civic Type R is actually built in Swindon, England, alongside the conventional Civic hatchback. Its engine, on the other hand, was developed and assembled in the Marysville plant, in Ohio, not too far from where the NSX supercar is put together.
8) That Spoiler has a Purpose
Among the many go-fast accessories glued onto the Civic Type R, the gigantic rear wing spoiler is by far the most intense. At least, it has a reason to be there, as it takes care of creating real downforce, up to 30 kg (66 lbs.), on the rear of the car for improved stability as the car is plowing down a straightaway.
7) The Hood Scoop isn’t There to Cool Down the Engine
Like the spoiler, the air intake on the Civic Type R’s hood was put there to draw air to each side of the car in order to push the front end to the ground. This in turn gives the car more stability when it's being pushed to its limits at the track.
6) All the Power is Sent to the Front Wheels
Unlike its rivals which all come fitted with all-wheel drive, the Civic Type R is the only one to send its 306 horses to the front wheels. Thanks to an innovative double knuckle suspension, patented by Honda, torque steer and understeer are almost nonexistent, allowing the Type R to exhibit handling characteristics that are on par with the best sports cars out there.
5) Its Engine is Both VTEC and Turbo
Honda hasn’t forgotten its past, that’s why the Civic Type R’s engine uses both a turbo, and the brand’s variable valve timing technology that has made it so popular for almost two decades. Such a configuration also helps the engine to breathe better, allowing it to rev freely all the way to its 7200-rpm redline without running out of puff.
4) It Smashed all the Records at the Nürburgring
As we are writing this, the Civic Type R holds the record for the fastest front-wheel-drive production car around the iconic Nürburgring circuit in Germany. With a recorded time of 7 minutes, 43 seconds and 8 tenths, the car has solid track credentials.
3) Its Lap Time isn’t Far From a Porsche 911 GT3 RS
Not only is the Civic Type R the fastest hot hatchback around the famed Nürburgring, its lap time is only one second behind a Porsche 911 GT3 RS (997). For a Honda Civic, that’s impressive!
2) It’s More Affordable Than its Main Rivals
With a starting price of $41,090 (before freight and destination), the Honda Civic Type R is more affordable than a Volkswagen Golf R and a Ford Focus RS. Only the Subaru WRX is cheaper at $40,195 (before freight and destination). However, the Civic Type R already comes fully loaded.
1) It’s Not a Pretty Car
Granted, a car’s appearance is subjective, but some of the Civic Type R’s design elements, such as the fake air intakes with tiny holes punched through one of them for the horn, the rear fender flares that suddenly stop to make room for the door, as well as the fake rear air outlets, may not age well.