While visiting the Honda research centre in Japan, The Car Guide had the chance to test drive the brand new 2018 Honda Civic Type R, which is slated to join the other little speed demons in its category this summer. We were given the chance to do a few laps in versions destined for the Japanese market, but outside of having the steering wheel on the right, the test vehicle was identical to the ones that will hit our market in the next few months.
If this model tickles your fancy, you should drop everything hand head straight to the dealership as almost all of the Canadian units have already been sold. For 2018, the Civic Type R will come in just two colours – Championship white, which is exclusive to the Type R, and black, which is in use throughout the Civic lineup. Our red-accented white test car was so impressive that it could reignite the flame for anyone who loves little sports cars.
The extroverted Type R
This is no shrinking violet. If you’re looking to turn heads and stand out from the crowd, look no further. The Type R distinguishes itself from the Civic Hatchback with a large rear spoiler for superior aerodynamics, exclusive rims and oversized triple exhaust – actually, the middle pipe is a resonator – attached to the middle of the underside of the bumper. There are several sport components including working air intakes, red Brembo brakes and numerous carbon fibre air deflectors.
Honda has recently been accused of producing vehicles that lack character, but the automaker seems to have rediscovered the magic touch that made it a success in the past. If the Type R is too extreme for you, there’s always the Civic Si or basic Civic. Every version has a purpose, according to Honda. No one will ever accuse the Type R of being similar to the other versions – but the same can’t be said for the regular WRX and STI.
New engine: More compact but very powerful
The 2018 Honda Civic Type R will be equipped with a new engine spawned from the Earth Dream program. There were three engines launched and the Civic Type R gets the most powerful of the three. It’s a 2.0-litre four-cylinder with variable valve timing and direct injection. Thanks to its turbocharger and intercooler, this VTEC engine develops 306 horsepower for a torque of 295 lbs.-ft. Those numbers are similar to the Subaru WRX STI (306 horsepower), superior to the Golf R (292 horsepower) but inferior to the Ford Focus RS, which takes home top honours with 350 horsepower.
Power is sent to the front wheels by way of the only available transmission – a six-speed manual. You’d think that Honda’s three rivals would have an advantage due to their all-wheel drive but, when asked about it, Honda’s engineers indicated that the Type R features a better weight-to-power ratio and superior handling on the track. Need proof? The Type R was faster than its rivals on the Nürburgring. The all-wheel drive models are heavier, which puts them at a disadvantage when it comes to pure performance. For everyday use, however, their efficiency – especially in winter – is a welcome feature. It certainly makes for a heated debate.
This Civic has a functional, but sport-oriented cabin. The dashboard is plain but there’s a large screen in the centre that displays all the useful information. The steering wheel and the two-tone seats are a nice touch, as are the faux carbon fibre accents. Honda, like Subaru, has never been known for the quality of its sound systems, and we’re anxious to see if they can narrow the gap between themselves and the Volkswagens and Fords of the world.
On the track
As soon as you start the engine, there’s a wonderful, rich sound that is accentuated with every touch of the accelerator. The sport seats are not only comfortable, but they firmly anchor you in the car, provided your body shape adapts to the very aggressive lateral supports. Finally, with the comfortable two-tone leather-covered steering wheel, driving this little sports car will be anything but boring.
On the track, the manual gearbox proved very pleasant. No surprise there, as Honda is undisputedly the manufacturer with the most efficient manual transmissions: the Type R is no exception. It’s ultraprecise and the clutch is just right. Press the accelerator and the power lags a few milliseconds before pinning you to your seat. Once deployed, power becomes more linear and modulated by each push and release of the accelerator. The impression of control is excellent when entering and exiting turns, which is encouraged by larger tires and an H-shaped torsion beam suspension.
The steering was very precise and well connected to the road. You can place the car exactly where you want it, thanks at least in part to the steering feedback. The Brembo brakes also seemed very efficient, but we’ll have to see whether they have the stamina for prolonged driving. Unfortunately, we were only able to do a few laps before it was someone else’s turn.
The Honda Civic Type R should sell for under $40,000, which is close to the base price of the Golf R, but the Japanese manufacturer is promising more complete factory-standard equipment including a navigation system.
