New Honda Civic Type R confirmed to pack 235kW/420Nm

Honda Australia has confirmed the inbound 2023 Honda Civic Type R will develop 235kW of power and 420Nm of torque when it arrives next year, comfortably making it the most powerful version to date and reinstating the flagship Civic as the world’s most powerful front-wheel drive hot hatch.

The new figures mark improvements of 7kW/20Nm over the old model (228kW/400Nm) and the extra grunt is liberated by a new turbocharger, bigger air intake and a new active exhaust system for the K20C1 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine.

Other supporting changes include a lighter flywheel and a bigger radiator, which should ensure improved throttle response and cooling – two vital ingredients for racetrack use.

Matching the outputs of the new Volkswagen Golf R and less torquey than only the BMW M135i, which is also all-wheel drive, the new Type R once again sends its power to the front wheels via a six-speed transmission, which has been upgraded with a new ‘high-rigidity lever’, optimised shift gate pattern and improved rev-matching system.

A limited-slip differential is also on hand to ensure maximum traction up front.

Despite having now confirmed its power outputs and reiterated that this will be the fastest Type R yet, Honda still hasn’t indicated just how much faster it will be than its predecessor, which hit 100km/h in a claimed 5.7 seconds.

Instead, the Japanese brand has continued to talk-up the enhanced dynamics resulting from the reworked suspension, wider tracks, longer wheelbase, stiffer body, lighter brakes, wider Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres and bespoke 19-inch alloys.

The other big mystery on everyone’s mind is how much all these improvements, not to mention the overhauled cabin and improved safety/multimedia tech, will cost both compared to the old model and the rest of the current hot hatch playing field.

“Pricing and further details on the new Civic Type R will be announced closer to the Australian launch in early 2023,” Honda Australia said in a statement.

For reference, the fifth-generation Type R was one of the more expensive offerings within its class with a starting price of $54,990 plus on-road costs, but it was also one of the most powerful and capable.

With this in mind, we anticipate the new model to start somewhere in the high-$50,000s, which would see it break the $60K barrier for the first time once on the road with a few options.

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