2018 Honda Civic Type R: Technical Overview

The all-new Honda Civic Type R is one of the most eagerly anticipated new models to arrive this year. Combining every day useability and track-honed dynamism, the fifth-generation Civic Type R continues the Type R legacy as an exciting, front-wheel drive high-performance hatch that is the ultimate expression of the genre. It is also the most extreme Civic Type R ever built and the world’s fastest production front-wheel drive car around the infamous Nürburgring test track.

Headlining the latest Civic Type R is a 2.0-litre VTEC turbocharged four-cylinder engine developing 228kW of power at 6500 rpm and 400Nm of torque at 2500-4500 rpm. It’s matched exclusively with a six-speed manual transmission with rev-matching function. Honda’s most potent Civic Type R to date can sprint from 0 to 100km/h in a claimed 5.7 seconds, en route to a top speed of 272km/h.

Priced from $50,990 plus on-road costs, Australian delivered models will also be equipped with adaptive dampers with three driving modes, Brembo brakes, 20-inch alloys and Honda Sensing safety suite which includes Autonomous Emergency Braking.

Building on the tenth-generation Civic Hatch, Type R brings model-exclusive spring, damper and bushing settings, a new Dual-Axis front suspension set-up with aluminium lower arms and steering knuckles for improved at-the-limit cornering and reduced torque steer, while a new multi-link rear suspension enhances stability under braking. There is also an adaptive dual-pinion electric power steering system with variable gear ratio and a helical limited-slip front differential.

The Honda Civic Type R features with three driving modes: Comfort, Sport (default) and +R.  The driver-selectable modes adjust steering and throttle response, transmission rev-matching, Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) threshold, and Adaptive Damper System.

The comprehensive aero package includes a smooth underbody, front air curtain, a slim rear wing and vortex generators at the trailing edge of the roof line.

Inside, the Civic Type R is features the most comfortable, and lightest, Type R specification sports seats ever, trimmed in grippy suede-effect fabric. Red accents are used throughout to amplify the performance-feel of the cabin, and each vehicle features a unique Type R serial plate number.

The hero colour for the all-new Honda Civic Type R will be the iconic Championship White premium paint, however, customers will also have the choice of Rally Red (flat), two pearlescent colours in Crystal Black or Sonic Grey, plus a metallic Brilliant Sporty Blue. Premium, metallic and pearlescent paint can be specified for an additional cost of $575.

2018 Honda Civic Type R full technical specification

ENGINE/TRANSMISSION

  • Four-cylinder inline DOHC VTEC Turbo
  • Engine capacity: 2.0L 1996 cc
  • Compression ratio: 9.8
  • Bore x stroke: 86 x 85.9mm
  • Fuel type 95 RON recommended (91 RON minimum)
  • Direct injection Fuel supply system
  • Drive-by-wire throttle (DBW)
  • 3-Mode Drive System (Comfort, Sport and +R)
  • Six-speed manual transmission with rev-matching function
  • Helical limited Slip Differential (LSD)

PERFORMANCE/ECONOMY

  • Power: 228 kW @ 6500 rpm
  • Torque: 400Nm @ 2500-4500rpm
  • 0-100km/h: 5.7 seconds
  • Top speed: 272km/h
  • Fuel consumption: 8.8L/100km (combined); 11.7/100km (urban); 7.1/100km (extra-urban)

SUSPENSION

  • MacPherson with Dual Axis Strut (front)
  • Multi-link (rear)
  • Adaptive Damper System

STEERING

  • Dual-pinion Motion Adaptive Electric Power Steering (MAEPS)

BRAKES

  • 350mm ventilated disc brakes with Brembo 4-piston aluminium brake calipers (front)
  • 305mm solid disc brakes (rear)

EXTERIOR

Styling

  • piano black grille
  • piano black B-pillar finish
  • carbon fibre effect side skirts with red striping
  • carbon fibre effect front splitter
  • carbon fibre effect rear diffuser
  • shark fin antenna
  • body coloured door handles
  • body coloured door mirrors, electrically adjustable, electrically retractable, integrated LED indicators
  • centre triple exhaust
  • black rear wing spoiler with body colour sides
  • vortex generators (rear roofline)
  • vertical air intakes (front)
  • bonnet scoop
  • red Honda “H” Badges (front/rear)
  • Type R badges (front/rear)

Convenience

  • rear window demister
  • auto-sensing windscreen wipers
  • rear windscreen wiper

Lighting

  • LED front foglights
  • auto levelling LED headlights
  • LED daytime running lights (DRL)
  • auto off coming home/leaving home function
  • auto dusk sensing
  • tail-lights with integrated LED light bars

INTERIOR

Driver aids

  • Adaptive Cruise Control; Cruise Control with speed limiter

Driver Information Interface with colour display

  • odometer
  • trip meter (A/B)
  • average and instant fuel economy
  • range
  • engine oil life
  • average speed
  • customisable speed alarms (x2)
  • elapsed time
  • G-force meter
  • stopwatch (Lap timer)
  • shift light indicator
  • boost meter
  • throttle position indicator
  • brake pressure (MPa)
  • outside temperature display

Comfort and convenience

  • accessory power outlet (12v) in front console
  • dual-zone climate control
  • drilled alloy sports pedals
  • electric parking brake with brake hold function
  • power windows with auto up/down function (driver and all passengers)
  • power windows key FOB operation (all windows remote up/down)
  • privacy glass rear passenger area and cargo area
  • auto-dimming rear view mirror
  • smart keyless entry with push start button
  • driver and front passenger sunvisor vanity mirror (illuminated)
  • tilt and telescopic steering wheel

Seating

  • Type R sports bucket seats with red suede-style fabric (front)
  • black fabric with red stitching (rear)
  • manual height adjustment (driver’s seat)
  • split fold rear seats (60/40)
  • red seatbelts

Interior trim

  • alloy gear shift knob
  • black and red leather-wrapped steering wheel
  • Type R serial number plate
  • black suede-style door trim with red stitching (front)
  • carbon fibre effect panels (front door/dash)

INFOTAINMENT

Advanced Display Audio (7-inch touchscreen)

featuring

  • AM/FM radio
  • Android Auto
  • Apple CarPlay
  • Bluetooth connectivity with audio streaming
  • Digital Radio (DAB+)
  • HDMI connectivity (1 port)
  • USB connectivity (2 ports)
  • 160W sound system (4 speakers and 4 tweeters)
  • Speed-sensitive Volume Compensation (SVC)

SAFETY

Active Safety

  • Honda Sensing (featuring)
  • Forward Collision Warning (FCW)
  • Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS)
  • Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
  • Lane Keep Assist System (LKAS)
  • Road Departure Mitigation System (RDM)
  • Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
  • LaneWatch
  • Agile Handling Assist System (AHAS)
  • Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA)
  • Traction Control System (TCS)
  • Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
  • Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD)
  • Brake Assist system (BA)
  • Hill Start Assist (HSA)
  • Tyre Deflation Warning System (DWS)

Passive Safety

  • SRS airbags (front, side and full-length curtain)
  • ISOFIX child restraint anchorages (x2)
  • child anchorage points (x2)
  • child-proof rear door locks
  • head restraints (x4)
  • three-point seatbelts with emergency locking retractors (ELR) — all seats
  • automatic locking retractors (ALR) — rear
  • seatbelt reminders (driver and all passengers)

Parking aids

  • front and rear parking sensors
  • multi-angle reversing camera (3 modes – normal, wide and
  • top-down with dynamic guidelines)
  • Security
  • engine immobiliser
  • security alarm system
  • “walk away” door locking

DIMENSIONS, WEIGHTS, CAPACITIES

Dimensions

  • overall length: 4557mm
  • overall width: 1877mm
  • overall height: 1421mm
  • wheelbase: 2700mm
  • front track: 1599mm
  • rear track: 1593mm
  • ground clearance – unladen: 132mm
  • minimum turning radius at wheel centre: 5.89m

Weights

  • kerb mass: 1393kg

Capacities

  • fuel tank: 47L
  • boot capacity (VDA) (rear seats up): 414L
  • seating capacity: 4

Wheels and Tyres

  • alloy wheels
  • black wheel design with red ‘H’ badge and red trim
  • tyre repair kit (TRK)
  • Continental SportContact 6
  • tyre size: 245/30 ZR20
  • wheel size: 20-inch

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