Yahoo Autos 2023 Honda Civic Type R Makes the Hot Hatch Segment Hot Again
The high-revving 2023 Honda Civic Type R, with 23.3 psi of maximum boost, is the most powerful US-sold Honda ever, with 315 hp.
Weighing 3188 pounds, the Civic Type R is well suited for winding roads and—if the opportunity should arise—Sonoma Raceway.
The hot hatch is on sale now at $43,990.
Trivia question: What is the most powerful Honda ever sold in America?
No, it’s not the 600-hp NSX—that’s an Acura, at least over here in America. No, it’s not a V6-powered Honda Ridgeline (286 hp). It’s the all-new Civic Type R, which clocks in at a mighty 315 hp at 6500 rpm from the turbocharged 2.0-liter K20C1 engine.
“The high-revving VTEC Turbo engine features direct injection, an electrical waste-gate and a low-inertia high-flow mono scroll turbocharger creating 23.3 psi of maximum boost,” Honda explained. “Horsepower, torque and response are improved by a redesigned turbocharger, a 10% increase in intake airflow rate and new, more efficient exhaust system.”
That 315-hp output is in a car that weighs just 3188 pounds, too. So right off the spec sheet it looks like a recipe for fun. And it was. After as many laps around the 1.99-mile Sonoma Raceway as I could weasel my way into, I gotta say, it is fun. And stable. And basically a very safe car in which to have a very good time, given the right conditions.
The Type R is based on the 11th-generation Civic hatchback with unique features that set it apart. From the A-pillar forward all of the body panels are unique. For instance, the vented aluminum hood is not just a styling feature but actually helps dissipate heat and creates downforce, Honda says.
“One of the things you’re going to find out in a lot of these design attributes is not just about making the car look great, but they also have performance functionality added to them,” said Dan Calhoun, senior product planner responsible for all the 11th-generation Civics.
For instance, the lower grille is longer and wider, resulting in an increase of about 40% of airflow into the car. Next to the grille are two sets of vents. The inner set is functional and helps cool the brakes; the outers are there for styling. The smoothly integrated flared fenders make the new car 3.5 inches wider than a standard Civic, which increases cornering agility, even if the added width doesn’t jump out at you.
“The beauty about why this fender doesn’t look that much different from the side is because of how well it’s integrated into the car,” said Calhoun. “That’s all about keeping the form really clean and having that sleek design.”
The rear doors of the Type R are unique, too, while the exhaust tips and routing increase exhaust flow 13% versus the previous Type R. Both the diffuser under the back end and the wing above it are functional as well, Honda says.
On the cars we saw, everything inside was red, from the floor mats to the deep red racing seats, though they’re not really racing seats—they’re a little more relaxed. Honda says they’ll be comfortable for long hauls, while still holding your torso in place around corners. Turned out to be true.
