Honda is touting the newest Civic Type R as the most powerful vehicle ever produced under the Honda brand.
No details on horsepower or other engine specifications accompanied Thursday’s unveiling — with Honda set to release final specs closer to the vehicle’s fall launch. For now, it’s also described as the most “powerful” vehicle in Type R history.
The 2023 Honda Civic Type R continues a 30-year tradition for the front-wheel-drive racing Type R series, which debuted in 1992 with the NSX Type R.
From the outside, the new hatchback mostly maintains the latest Civic’s restrained styling but does sport some new features. A redesigned front bumper, larger front fender grilles and a new side sill aim to give a more aggressive stance and provide more airflow efficiency.
The Type R’s prominent spoiler remains, and the wider rear doors support the new stance shown in the front. Under the spoiler are the Type R’s signature three round exhaust tips.
The car will be available in five colors: Historic Championship White, Rallye Red, Boost Blue, Crystal Black Pearl and Sonic Grey Pearl.
Under the hood, the new Type R features a 2.0-liter engine and a six-speed manual transmission with a rev-matching system for smoother gear shifts.
Honda says the suspension and steering have also been “enhanced” without going into detail.
The cockpit has been refitted with red suede-like seats, carpet and trim, and a new serialized Type R plate has also been added to the dash.
On the software side, a new “+R” driving mode allows the driver to check engine RPM and gear position with more clarity in front of the steering wheel. An infotainment console, similar to the one used in the 2023 Honda Civic, is also present in the middle of the dash.
Honda’s LogR application returns from previous Civic Type R models, tracking mechanical information and allowing drivers to record times and share videos.