Honda’s new 306-hp Civic Type R: restricted no more
Honda performance fans have long coveted the high-performance Civic Type R. But for the last two decades the performance machine wasn’t offered in the land of the free. Type R diehards, your patience has been rewarded. The U.S. now gets the same 2017 Civic Type R the world enjoys. The Type R — which Honda said is drag-limited to 170 mph — is on sale now. If you’re considering becoming an early adopter, we hope you’re into five-door hatchbacks, because that’s the only way it comes.
Priced at $33,900, the all-new Civic Type R couples a 306 horsepower direct-injection four cylinder with a structure that’s 38 percent stiffer. The credentials have us eager to drive the Type R, but for now, here’s an overview.
The Type R starts with the improved latest Civic body and chassis, which was developed with the aim of improving steering, handling, ride quality and highspeed stability. The Type R incorporates a dual-axis front suspension for sharper-edged turning and better stability.
The Civic Type R’s turbocharged 2.0-liter directinjection engine has a lightened forged steel crankshaft and forged connecting rods to handle up to 306 horses at 6,500 rpm and 295 lb.-ft. of torque available from 2,500 to 4,500 rpm. More significant than its red Type R badge is its redline: 7,000 rpm. Capable of generating up to 23.2 psi of boost, the single turbo is equipped with an electronic wastegate.
The Type R scores EPA fuel economy ratings of 22 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway.
To shave weight and required maintenance, the Civic Type R’s aluminum block uses iron sleeves, cast-in exhaust ports and a chain to drive the four valves per cylinder. The engine is a produced in Anna, Ohio but all Type Rs are assembled in Swindon, England.
The Type R exhaust system’s triple outlets aren’t merely to be different. According to Honda, the center pipe plays a key role in the interior’s sound quality, helping to minimize unpleasant booming. The system was tailored to give a spirited exhaust note under acceleration but quiet in normal driving.
The sole transmission is a short-shift, close-ratio sixspeed manual that’s been strengthened. Driver-selectable rev-matching helps smooth out spirited upshifts and downshifts if heel-and-toe shifting electronically if you want to give your heel and toe a rest. The six-speed also has reverse lockout.
The Civic Type R also gets a helical limited-slip differential, its own steering system, adaptive dampers and dual-pinion, variable-ratio steering. Though aluminum is used for the hood, front lower arms and steering knuckles, the Type R still tips the scales at 3,117 pounds.
Almost no trick was overlooked in making sure it’s easy to spot a Type R, starting with the 20-by-8.5-inch wheels and 245/30ZR20 performance summer tires, which Honda responsibly notes typically wear faster than standard three-season rubber. Up front, you’ll find a black grille and the red and chrome Honda and Type R badges kids used to stick on to their gardenvariety Hondas.
The Type R has a 2.1-inch wider front track and is 1.2 inches wider in the rear. The performance variant ends up 3.1-inches wider than the standard Civic hatchback because it has wider fenders to enclose the big wheels and tires.
The 2017 Type R is unmistakable thanks to aggressive air inlets and a red-trimmed front splitter. A functional scoop ducts cooling air to the engine compartment. Like a billboard turned lain flat, a race-style wing is perched high at the back of the hatch. Honda said engineers worked hard to balance drag and lift.
The greenhouse is enhanced by narrow A-pillars for improved visibility and a windshield designed to tame wind noise. The flush-mounted piece consists of a 0.7mm layer of acoustic polyvinyl sandwiched between the outer layer of 2.0mm safety glass and the 1.8mm safety glass inner layer. The windshield also helps absorb UV light.
The battle against noise and vibrations including triple-door seals, hood seal and and aero-tweaked outside power mirrors can be manually folded.
Two details we like on the Civic Type R are the automatic brake hold and internally baffled fuel tank. The brake hold feature keeps the braking system pressurized at a stop so the driver doesn’t have to maintain pressure on the brake pedal. Mounted ahead of the rear wheels, the fuel tank incorporates a fuel filter Honda claims will never need to be replaced by the owner.
Not so great: for now, Civic Type Rs just come with compact tire repair kits. Honda said an optional temporary spare tire will eventually be available.
Turning to the office, the manually adjusted sports racing-style front seats have high bolsters. The serialnumbered car is available in five exterior colors but all will have the same interior scheme: black and red. The leather-wrapped performance steering wheel is (of course) done in black and red and has a flat bottom. The shift knob is aluminum. Driver interaction is via two 7-inch displays: a touchscreen for the audio and a multi-function driver information screen that can be used to display information such as phone numbers, turbo boost, lap time and shift lights.
The Type R is available only in Touring spec, meaning the fastest, most powerful Civic ever offered is fully equipped with a 12-speaker, 540-watt stereo with SiriusXM and HD radio, dual-zone climate control pushbutton start, ambient LED lighting and navigation system. The infotainment system is also Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible.
Though its polarizing style may be anything but subtle, you can’t deny that the Type R does offer a degree of practicality. Sure, it can be a track-day toy but the rest of the week haul four people and still provide up to 25.7 cu.-ft. of storage space or 46.2 cu.-ft. with the rear 60/40 seatbacks down. And with that bold wing, it will be easy to spot in that big box store’s crowded parking lot.