Honda has revealed the new Civic Type-R at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show, ahead of the model’s European launch in the summer. Based on the tenth generation Civic, the new Type-R comes with a number of visual and performance upgrades.
The 2.0-litre VTEC Turbo engine of the previous generation Type-R has been re-tuned and now produces a maximum power of 320 PS and a peak torque of 400 Nm. Throttle response and driveability are said to have been improved, courtesy of the optimized engine control settings. The six-speed manual transmission, according to Honda, has been improved by a rev match control system.
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Powertrain is not the only area that the new Honda Civic Type-R has witnessed an improvement, for the model takes the lighter and rigid body shell of the new Civic hatchback. Compared to the previous generation Type-R, the torsional rigidity on this model is claimed to have been improved by 38%.
The front MacPherson strut suspension from the standard hatchback is revised with new geometry to decrease torque steer and increase the sporty handling. At the rear, the model comes equipped with a new independent multi-link system and high rigidity suspension arms.
If that wasn’t enough, Honda has a selection of driving modes gives the car better usability when compared to the previous generation model. A new ‘Comfort’ setting sits alongside the Sport and the track-focused +R mode. Each selection adjusts the adaptive dampers, steering force, gear shift feeling and throttle response of the car on demand.
The new Honda Civic Type-R has a comprehensive aerodynamic package than the previous model. This includes a smoother underbody, front air curtain, a lightweight rear wing and vortex generators at the trailing edge of the roof line. The muscular and aggressive body, according to Honda, has a best-in-class balance between lift and drag, contributing to greater high speed stability.
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Production of the new Civic Type-R is likely to begin in summer 2017 at Honda UK manufacturing facility in Swindon, which is also the global manufacturing hub for the 10th generation Civic hatchback. Following is an image gallery of the new Honda Civic Type-R (click to expand):
