New Civic Type R lights up Suzuka
Testing of the ‘best-performing’ Honda Civic Type R ever continues in JapanThe next-generation Honda Civic Type R hot hatch will set a new performance benchmark when it rolls into Australian showrooms in the second half of 2022.
That’s the word from Honda, which has released a number of tantalising new photos from the Civic Type R’s (CTR) latest shakedown at the challenging 6.2km Suzuka circuit in Japan – including side-by-side benchmarking with the current model.
“Development of the best-performing Honda Civic Type R ever continues at the world-famous Suzuka Circuit in Japan,” said the latest press statement from the Asian car-maker, suggesting the new model will deliver higher outputs than the 228kW/400Nm 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder in the current CTR.
The longer, wider 2022 Civic Type R was first revealed wearing camo in October, but key elements such as its motorsport-inspired rear spoiler, ground-hugging bodywork, large red Brembo brake callipers, Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres and big front intercooler were enough to get fanboys salivating.
The outgoing Honda Civic Type R is widely regarded as the benchmark front-drive hot hatch and we also rated it ahead of the pint-size all-wheel drive Toyota GR Yaris, but little is known about the technical evolution of its successor.
We know it will again drive the front wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox, but for now Honda is staying mum on the high-performance hatchback’s mechanical upgrades, including whether the 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine will get electric augmentation to deliver more low-end boost.
However, we’ve just tested the new Honda Civic hatch on which the new Type will be based, and carsales senior journalist Feann Torr lauded it for its driving dynamics and engagement levels, so the new CTR is shaping up to be another giant-killer.
Available in a single high-spec VTi-LX variant from today, the 11th-generation Honda Civic hatch is priced at $47,200 drive-away – more than double the $22,790
entry price of its predecessor this time last year – as part of Honda Australia’s upmarket push.
So it’s likely the new Honda Civic Type R will also be a lot more expensive than the model it replaces ($54,990 plus ORCs), with a price tag that could even eclipse the $60,000 barrier – just like the new Volkswagen Golf R that arrives in April priced from $66,990.
One thing is all but certain: Honda will wrest back its front-drive production car lap record at the Nurburgring from the Renault Megane RS Trophy R, which lapped the gruelling German road course in 7:40.10 in 2019 – 3.7sec faster than Honda’s 2017 record.
Watch this space.
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
