Volume 16 Issue 1 » 53
2019 Honda Civic Type R
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For years automotive enthusiasts, and especially performance
junkies, across the country looked on in sadness as the Civic Type
R was sold in other countries. Well, Honda has finally brought the
factory souped-up hatchback in its 10 th -generation form to our
shores, and it was well worth the wait.
There really needs to be no other introduction than that it is simply
the fastest production car the Japanese manufacturer has ever
sold. In typical Honda fashion, engineers have managed to extract
high output from a small displacement engine: an impressive 306
horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque is sent to the front wheels via
a turbocharged 2.0-litre i-VTEC four-cylinder. This is all while
achieving approximate fuel consumption of 9.6 L/100 km in
combined city and highway driving.
Putting power to the ground is a short-throw six-speed manual
transmission with helical limited-slip differential. To stop things
as quickly as they get started are large aluminum Brembo brake
calipers and some sticky 245/30/ZR20 Continental SportContact
rubber, mounted to huge 20-inch alloys sprayed in black. Honda
couldn’t rightfully call the Civic a Type R if the vehicle was only able
to go fast in a straight line. There’s a lot of technology hidden out of
sight like purpose-built springs, a set of adaptive dampers designed
to adjust on the fly to compensate for varying road conditions, thick
anti-roll bars, and more. All of this equates to serious handling
capability, the only tradeoff being a firmer ride.
Aggressive styling complements all the go-fast hardware. The
requisite exaggerated body aero, downforce-generating rear spoiler
and (faux) carbon fibre are all present and accounted for, and unique
to the car is a high-flow exhaust system ending in three circular
central tailpipe exits. Staying true to the heritage of the brand, lots
of red accenting can be found inside and out including on the seats,
steering wheel, stitching, trim, and of course, the badging.