2023 Honda Civic Type R nudges $70k

The new FL5-generation Honda Civic Type R officially goes on sale ahead of its arrival in February 2023. But the most powerful, best-performing, and well-equipped Civic Type R ever is also the most expensive. With a national drive away price of $72,600, the new 2023 Civic Type R costs about $12,000 more than the previous model.

Neverthelss, interest is still at sky high for the hot hatch, with it already having more than 4,000 pre-registrations since its world premiere in July this year.

Purists who fork out for what could be the last engine powered Civic Type R will be rewarded with an even more powerful version of Honda’s renown K20C1 engine. The turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine now produces 235 kW of power and 420 Nm of torque – improvements of 7 kW and 20 Nm respectively over the previous model.

The added power is courtesy of a redesigned turbocharger, increased air intake flow rate and a new, more efficient exhaust system that features a straight through design and an active exhaust valve. A larger grille opening, upsized radiator and bigger fan improve engine cooling, ensuring sustained, optimal performance even during extreme driving.

Driving engagement is heighten with the active exhaust valve opening at higher rpm to extract the best of the engine sound track. Offering an even more intimate and rewarding connection with the driver, the exclusive six-speed manual transmission is further improved with a lighter flywheel and a revised rev-match system that ensures perfectly paired rev-matching when shifting down through the gears. The gearbox has also gained a high-rigidity lever and optimised shift gate pattern for more precise gear changes.

Designed in Japan, the Type R’s new, more muscular body features integrated flared wheelarches over wider tracks and lightweight 19-inch matte black alloy wheels wrapped in wider 265/30 ZR19 Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres. The new wheels use a special ‘reverse rim’ design that improves the stability of the tyre contact patch under load.

Compared to the specification of the previous generation Civic Type R, the new model is more comprehensively equipped with a wide-ranging list of new features and technologies, including:

• Newly developed 2.0-litre VTEC Turbo engine with increased power and torque
• Individual drive mode in addition to Comfort, Sport and +R
• Active exhaust valve
• Wider 265/30 size Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres
• Customisable 10.2-inch high-definition full colour digital driver information display
• Blind spot information system
• Rear Cross Traffic Alert
• Traffic Sign Recognition System
• Intelligent Speed Limiter
• Driver Attention Monitor
• Knee airbags – driver and front passenger
• 9-inch Advanced Display Audio touchscreen system
• Wireless Apple CarPlay
• Wireless phone charger
• Honda Connect
• In-built Honda LogR
• Satellite navigation
• Acoustic windscreen
• ‘Smart Clear Wiper’ windscreen wiper/washer system
• Auto-retractable door mirrors
• Full suede-effect seat trim
• Ambient door trim and front footwell lighting

Paint colours for the new Civic Type R will include the historic Championship White revered by Type R enthusiasts, along with Rally Red, Crystal Black and Sonic Grey.

Arrival of the 2023 Civic Type R will complete the new generation Civic family, joining the VTi LX variant and e:HEV LX hybrid model.