Honda has just revealed that its new Civic Type R will start from £46,995
With this latest generation of hot hatch offering a boost in performance over the car it replaces, as well as a fresh new look and upgraded technology.
But what else does this new Civic Type R offer and what are the key things you need to know about it? Let’s take a look.
It’s got more power than before
The previous-generation Civic Type R was by no means a slouch, but Honda has seen fit to give it a slight bump in power to help it stay at the top of its game. It’s got the same 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine as before, but power has gone from 316 to 325bhp with drive sent through a six-speed manual as it was previously.
Honda says that this is enough to send the Type R from 0-60mph in just 5.2 seconds, in fact.
It’s got a new ‘Individual’ driver mode
The older Civic Type R was equipped with a range of driver modes, but it didn’t feature an individual mode that allowed the driver to chop and change between the different settings and pick those that suited them best.
That has changed for the latest model, however, as you now get a fully-fledged Individual setting which allows you to edit the suspension, throttle and steering programmes as you see fit.
The exterior has undergone some big changes
Honda hasn’t held back with the styling changes for the new Type R, implementing a range of design tweaks that help to really differentiate this car from the one it replaces. The front end is much squarer in design than before, with the front grille blending into the sharp LED headlights.
Around the back, the eye-catching spoiler remains as before, but it’s positioned lower than the one on the older car. It’s wider, too.
There’s rev-matching technology as standard
As mentioned, the Civic Type R gets a six-speed manual gearbox as standard, but Honda has revised the rev-matching system that is included with it. This automatically blips the throttle when changing down the gears, ensuring perfect shifts each and every time.
Of course, for keener drivers who would like to heel and toe themselves, this system can be switched off.
The cabin gets a significant update
Though the fundamentals of the Civic Type R’s interior may be the same, there have been some tweaks made along the way. The driver’s seat is lower than before, while there’s a better view over the bonnet, according to Honda, thanks to a lower bonnet line than before.
You still get the same eye-catching red upholstery, mind you, as well as some contrast metal pieces that help to brighten up the cabin.