Who said performance wasn’t practical?
First, lets all collectively heave a sigh of relief that the 2018 Honda Civic Type R is being offered exclusively with a manual gearbox. The six-speed DIY gearbox pairs nicely to the rorty 2.0-litre forced-induction VTEC mill under the bonnet, which together promises to provide the most pure driving experience among performance cars that you can get today.
The Civic Type R packs surprisingly good value, despite its performance credentials. For $50,990 (before ORCs), you get things like big alloys, adaptive dampers, and Brembo brakes as standard. This is all available in the sole trimline that the Type R will be offered on our shores, and will put it in good stead among rivals like the Ford Focus RS and Volkswagen Golf R. And with 250 confirmed orders (and 5,000 more customers registered as interested), the Type R might just lead the way in its segment sooner rather than later.
Broken down, the Civic Type R will come with:
- 228kW/400NM 2.0-litre turbocharged VTEC engine, mated to a six-speed manual with rev-matching
- 8.8L/100km claimed consumption
- Front-wheel drive only
- Adaptive dampers: Comfort, Sport, and R+
- 350mm ventilated and drilled discs up front with 4-piston Brembo callipers, 305mm solid discs at the rear
- “Comprehensive” aerodynamic package
- 20-inch Berlina alloys in black, with Continental SportContact 6 rubber
- “Striking” red/black cabin
- Light Type-R front sports seats
- Machined alloy gear knob
- 414-litre boot, “class-leading”
- 7-inch driver information screen with shift light indicator
- Keyless entry and go
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Honda Sensing safety suite, and LaneWatch technology
“Type R is the ultimate expression of Honda putting the enthusiast at the centre of everything it does. As a record-holder around the Nürburgring Nordschleife, it’s clearly the fastest, most dynamic Type R model ever sold in Australia. Enthusiasts across the country are absolutely going to love it.” - Stephen Collins, director for Honda Australia
With bespoke tuned suspension and retuned steering, throttle, and transmission, the Civic Type R is certainly not your grandma’s Honda with a turbo bolted on. Those revisions allow for “improved at-the-limit cornering and reduced torque steer,” while also “enhancing stability under braking,” which will certainly come in handy given the stopping power on offer with the Brembo anchors. Autonomous emergency braking and adaptive cruise control come in as part of the standard Honda Sensing safety package, while the lack of built-in satellite navigation is negated with the inclusion of smartphone mirroring.
Colour options include Championship White pearl, Rally Red solid, Crystal Black pearl and Brilliant Sporty Blue metallic. The red is the only standard colour, with the rest coming in at a $575 premium. It’s worth mentioning that while the Type R doesn’t compromise on safety or technology, practicality has taken a back seat rather literally: The Type R is four-seat only, throwing out the fifth centre seat in exchange for better lateral support for the two outer pews.
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