Honda Civic Type R News
Honda is updating the Civic Type R range, adding two new versions; Limited Edition and Sport Line. Both models have new styling and different performance to the Type R GT, bringing the Type R to a wider market.
The Civic Type R Limited Edition is the most extreme Type R to date, it has been put on a diet with lightweight components and a stripped interior, improving the already great driving dynamics, combined with the extreme styling.
The Type R Sport Line is a less flamboyant version, with toned-down styling. Featuring a low height spoiler, 19” alloy wheels and an all-black interior. One thing that hasn’t been toned down is the engine, still featuring the same power as the standard Type R.
The whole Civic Type R range has been given a fresh update for 2020, with a smoothed front bumper, the low fog light surrounds have been given a symmetrical design, the LED headlight clusters and daytime running lights have been redesigned with a cleaner look. Bigger air intake and a thinner grille beam gives a 13% larger opening, the radiator core has been updated which helps decrease the coolant temperature up to 10 degrees in high load situations. Front downforce has been reduced slightly by the larger grille opening, this has been counteracted by a redesigned front under-bumper air dam, having a ribbed section at either end to divert air into the spoiler.
The interior has been updated too with the infotainment system and climate control being more user-friendly by the addition of physical buttons and dials. A new steering wheel has been added, it has been covered in Alcantara to improve grip for the driver. A new teardrop style gear stick now features a 90g counterweight to give the shift a better feel. Another new feature is the Active Sound Control (ASC), this feeds engine sound through the audio system whilst being driven hard in Sport and +R modes and gives a more refined sound when in Comfort mode. The 2020 Civic Type R introduces Honda LogR, a performance datalogger which displays valuable information to the driver on the display screen, such as current gear, coolant and oil temperatures, when connected to the smartphone app, it also features a “G-Meter”.
It also features two other modes; Log Mode and Auto Score, both can be accessed on the smartphone app. Log Mode is used to help the driver improve their lap times on track, using GPS to track the vehicle’s position and the car’s sensors to calculate acceleration, braking and cornering G among other things. Auto Score is used to monitor the driver’s ability over time, it is more for improving day to day driving than lap times, encouraging smoothness.
The Civic Type R Limited Edition has been designed with a focus on track use, with the use of lightweight components and a driver-focused, stripped back interior. Only 100 Limited Editions will be available in Europe and features; lightweight 20” forged BBS alloys clad in Michelin Cup 2 tyres, modified dampers to compliment the new wheels and tyres to give maximum grip. A new paint colour has been added; “Sunlight Yellow” which is exclusive to the Limited Edition.
Honda has made a saving of 47kg compared to the Type R GT, this weight loss has been achieved by removing the infotainment system and air conditioning, as well as reducing sound-deadening in the roof, rear hatch, front bumper and dashboard. The rear seats have been kept meaning it’s still as practical as ever.
The Civic Type R Limited Edition will go on sale this Summer.
