The new VTEC pocket rocket builds on Honda’s heritage in developing high-performance hatchbacks and represents the segment’s ultimate expression of dynamic purity. Sharing the same fundamentals as the current 10th-generation Civic, the latest Type R has been engineered from the ground up to deliver the most rewarding drive in the hot-hatch segment, both on the road and on the racetrack.
The 2-litre VTEC turbo heart of the multi-award-winning previous-generation Civic Type R has been optimised and refined, and it now produces a punchy 320bhp with peak torque of 400Nm. Throttle response and driveability have improved thanks to optimised engine control settings. The smooth and precise 6-speed manual transmission now come with a rev match control system, ensuring no compromise in the Type R’s intimate, rewarding connection with the driver.
The new Type R takes the lighter, more rigid bodyshell of the new Civic hatchback and adds further use of adhesive in key areas. Compared to the previous model, torsional rigidity has been increased by 38 percent. The front Macpherson strut suspension of the standard hatchback has been revised with new geometry to minimise torque-steer and maximise sporty handling. At the rear, the new independent multi-link system of the standard car has been enhanced with unique high-rigidity suspension arms.
An enhanced selection of driving modes give the car greater usability compared to the previous Civic Type R, with a new “Comfort” setting alongside agile “Sport” and track-focused “+R” modes. Each selection tailors the adaptive dampers, steering force, gearshift feeling and throttle response of the vehicle on demand.
The all-new Civic Type R also has a more comprehensive aerodynamic package than the previous model, including a smoother underbody, front air curtain, a lightweight rear wing and vortex generators at the trailing edge of the roof line. The muscular, aggressive body has a best-in-class balance between lift and drag, contributing to great high-speed stability.
Production of the new Civic Type R is anticipated to start in summer 2017 at Honda’s Swindon factory in the UK, the global manufacturing hub for the 10th-generation Civic hatchback.
The new-generation Civic Type R will be exported across Europe and to other markets around the world, including Japan, Singapore and the US. 
Read about the red, white, and yellow Civic VTEC rockets our editor used to own.
