Honda is on track with its official release of the next-generation Civic Type R, which we can expect to see launched globally by the middle of this year. A new report out of Japan, however, suggests that the highly anticipated Japanese hot hatch will be offered with an unchanged power output from the current generation model.

As Best Car reports, Honda still places a lot of faith and respect in its K20C1, which has already graced two generations of the Type R. The turbocharged gasoline 2.0-liter four-cylinder petrol engine currently provides the hot hatch with 306 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque, which is sent to the front wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox, but something else could change.

To improve responsiveness and enhance engine characteristics, it is understood that the upcoming Civic Type R will have its 2,500-4,500-rpm torque band increased. It's also reported that this generation will steer clear of any electric hybrid systems, but catering to global market trends, an automatic transmission is being considered, which would be a first for the Civic Type R.

We don't know whether this will be a dual-clutch or torque converter, but the rumor states that it will have six cogs. Considering that the power figure remains the same, we could still expect the next-generation model to be a bit quicker thanks to a lower curb mass figure and increased body rigidity. As for the tires, we're still not sure which brand will be associated with the hatch, but it will wear a 265/30 set wrapped around 19-inch wheels. This is wider than before but houses a smaller wheel size.

We know that the next Honda Civic Type R is close to its official production date because the manufacturer has been teasing its test unit throughout the last few months. Its latest set of images depicted the model testing at Suzuka Circuit while being benchmarked against the FK8 generation Type R. The brand has maintained a hush-hush stance on any official details.

One thing we can be certain about is that the company is dead-set on reclaiming its Nurburgring title, which the Renault Megane RS Trophy-R took in 2019. The team of engineers has already set the Japanese hot hatch out onto the 'Ring with its eye-catching red camouflage.

Honda has unveiled the all-new Civic e:HEV, the 11th generation of its iconic global compact car. Building on 50 years of heritage, the all-new hybrid Civic blends strong performance and efficiency with improved levels of interior comfort, visual appeal and overall usability. Featuring Honda's proven e:HEV powertrain technology as standard, the all-new Civic completes the brand's mission to electrify all its mainstream European models by the end of 2022.

'Exhilarating' design approach

In its latest guise, the Honda Civic embodies a new, progressive 'exhilarating' approach to design. Coupled with Honda's 'Man-Maximum, Machine-Minimum' (M/M) development principle, this joint approach has shaped all aspects of the Civic's design and development.

The all-new Civic features a sleek and sporty silhouette, which has been achieved through lowering the bonnet line 25mm over the previous generation, whilst the glass area has been increased to create a light and airy interior. To exude a refined, premium feeling, cleaner, noiseless, surfacing has been applied, with more defined belt and feature lines highlighting key details.

The lower feature line enhances the assured stature of the vehicle, as well as giving improved visibility from the rear seats. In comparison to the previous generation Civic, the base of the A-pillar has been positioned further back to align with the centre of the front wheels, this gives the car a more balanced proportion in profile as well as a wider, more assured stance from all angles. The highest point of the roofline has been placed further forward than the previous Civic, with a gentle slope to the tailgate creating a sleek, fast-back style look.

This sleeker body profile makes tyres appear larger and in combination with the wider track and tighter wheel-arch hemming, achieves a sporty, ground-hugging stance. Despite taking a new approach to aesthetics, the famed practicality and human centric thinking of the Civic family remains a key characteristic. For example, the side mirrors are now attached directly to the front doors, helping reduce unnecessary blind spots and supporting the safety of drivers and passengers.

The Honda Civic is famed for being the do-it-all hatchback and the 11th generation is no exception, providing more space and usability than ever before. The 35mm longer wheelbase has allowed designers to create a more expansive and comfortable cabin space as well as improving dynamic performance and straight-line stability. The construction of the tailgate is now resin, a first for Civic. Developed using new manufacturing technology, the weight has been reduced by 20% compared with the previous Civic, making it easier to open and close. Additionally, the supporting hinges have been moved outwards, achieving a cleaner roofline and further contributing to the new sleeker rear design.

Once inside the Civic, the horizontal style of the dashboard emphasises the width of the cabin which, when combined with a wider field of vision gives a truly airy and open feeling. The interior also benefits from new tactile, high-quality materials throughout, including a striking metal honeycomb-pattern air vent detail running the width of the dashboard. On Advance grade the drivers' display now features a 10.2-inch HD colour LCD panel for improved visibility.

The new Honda Civic offers an intuitive infotainment package. The size of the central touchscreen has been increased to nine inches and has been moved upwards to minimise up-and-down eye movement. The system comes complete with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility to keep occupants connected whilst on the move.

In addition, to further enhance occupant experience, the Elegance and Sport grades feature eight speakers whilst the Advance grade features 12 premium BOSE speakers for a concert like audio experience.

Advanced and efficient e:HEV powertrain

Honda's proven e:HEV (hybrid electric vehicle) powertrain technology is offered as standard and its application in the Civic, sees the deployment of a new 72-cell lithium-ion battery and two compact, yet powerful electric motors paired with a newly developed 2.0-litre direct-injection, Atkinson-cycle engine. Combined, the powertrain delivers a maximum motor output of 135kW and 315Nm of torque. The latest iteration of the internal combustion engine has several new elements within its architecture to help achieve a thermal efficiency of 41%, one of the highest figures within the automotive industry for a production road car.

The two powerful electric motors work together to provide the primary drive force for the all-new Honda Civic. The engine is controlled by a new, compact Power Control unit which now sits under the bonnet with the rest of the powertrain. Sitting under the rear seats is the latest version of our Intelligent Power Unit and whilst smaller and lighter, it benefits from an increased energy density. This system delivers a feeling of instant torque and powerful acceleration whilst still offering outstanding efficiency.

This advanced powertrain is capable of shifting seamlessly between EV, Hybrid and Engine drive with no input from the driver. Four drive modes - Eco, Normal, Sport and a new Individual mode, which allows separate control of the engine, transmission and cluster gauge display, can be selected by the driver to tailor the vehicle response as required.

Central to the e:HEV system is the fixed gear transmission, which has been designed to minimise mechanical friction and is controlled by an intelligent power control unit, which optimises the vehicle to each driving situation. The all-new Honda Civic is targeted to achieve CO2 emissions of less than 110 grams per km which is less than 5 l/100km in WLTP testing.

Careful attention has also been paid to the drivetrain and noise management to create a tranquil, calming cabin environment, whilst enhancing the overall vehicle driveability; resulting in a smooth, linear feel during acceleration.

This refined powertrain is paired with strong, reassuring handling and straight-line stability; the cornerstones of the Civic model throughout its history. The 11th generation Civic features a 35mm longer wheelbase and wider rear track over its predecessor to help deliver improved straight-line and cornering performance, while new low friction ball joints and revised front damper enhance the dynamic feel. The new model will also be the first Civic to adopt a newly designed structure for the body stabilising front seats, providing greater stabilisation and comfort for occupants.

"Any new Civic comes with very high expectations and our focus with this latest generation model has been on ensuring it enriches the feelings, emotions and everyday lives of driver and passengers," says Tomoyuki Yamagami, Large Project Leader for the all-new Civic e:HEV. "Modern consumers seek emotional styling, engaging driving dynamics and exceptional usability, and we have met this brief by applying our latest technologies and development ethos in an innovative new way. Harnessing our industry-leading e:HEV technology and advanced safety features, the all-new Civic offers a compelling option for those customers wanting to embrace a new era of electrification. I believe both existing and new customers will be surprised at this latest generation Civic, and the evolution it has taken."

Honda SENSING

The all-new Civic also features Honda's expanded SENSING suite of advanced safety features and driver aids. A new 100-degree front wide-view camera and enhanced recognition technology improve the Civic's capacity to identify pedestrians, road lines, boundaries, other vehicles including motorcycles and cyclists. For the first time, the all-new Civic is equipped with sonar sensors - four at the front and four at the rear. In addition to improved Collision Mitigation Braking System, Lane Keep Assist and i-ACC technology, Low Speed Braking Control, Blind Spot Information, Cross Traffic Monitor and Traffic Jam Assist are all new additions to the Civic's comprehensive active safety offering.

In addition to the new active safety technology, new structural components have also been incorporated to meet Euro NCAP's stringent safety standards, these include; additional door beams that improve side collision performance; front bumper beam safety plates that absorb impact energy to reduce leg and knee damage; a total of 11 airbags including side airbags for the rear seats; knee airbags for the front seats to reduce occupant injury during front impact; and a front centre airbag for the driver seat to prevent a collision between the driver and front passenger during side impact.

Combining a refined, clean exterior design, a premium light and airy interior, advanced safety and convenience technologies and a perfect blend of economy and performance, the all-new Honda Civic e:HEV is the most dynamic, efficient and safest Civic yet.

Even before its official reveal, the new Honda Civic Type R is already setting records. The compact five-door model went around the challenging Suzuka circuit in Japan in 2 minutes and 23.120 seconds. For the sake of comparison, the previous-gen model in the hardcore Limited Edition needed 2 minutes and 23.993 seconds to get the job done. It's not a massive improvement, but shaving off nearly one second is still a notable achievement.

In both instances, the feisty hatchback lapped the 3.6-mile (5.8-kilometer) configuration of the race track. Much like its predecessor and previous record-holder Renault Megane RS Trophy-R, the upcoming Civic Type R had a rolling start. It should be noted we're strictly talking about a record for a front-wheel-drive car, one that hit 143.5 mph (231 km/h) at one point during the hot lap.

Curiously, Honda blacked out the instrument cluster, presumably to keep prying eyes from unlocking some juicy details about the car. Much like the Civic Si, the new Type R will be a manual-only affair and should use an evolution of the 2.0-liter gasoline engine. Chances are the engineers have managed to unlock a few more ponies from the turbo four-pot compared to the FK8 model and its 316-hp punch.

Speaking of horsepower, it's worth noting the previous CTR made 316 hp only in Europe and Japan thanks to higher-octane fuel while other regions had to settle with 10 fewer horses. The new one is expected to be Honda's last ICE-only car on the Old Continent as rumors about going hybrid are likely unfounded.

When the Civic Type R does arrive later this year, Honda will have to worry about a new rival as Toyota is finally launching the long-rumored GR Corolla. Those who would rather have all-wheel drive can already get the VW Golf R with more power than the previous generation by packing 315 hp. The next-generation BMW M2 and Nissan Z are also due for a release in 2022, which is shaping up to be a great year for enthusiasts.

The new Honda Civic Type R is coming, really. We started seeing camouflaged prototypes nearly a year ago, followed by Honda's official teaser campaign that kicked off last October. Now, the teaser campaign comes to US shores with a planned Type R prototype appearance scheduled for early July in Ohio.

Specifically, Honda will be on-hand during the NTT IndyCar Series event at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course from July 1-3. Considering the headlining race is the Honda Indy 200, it should come as no surprise that that automaker will have a big presence at the track that weekend. It's an ideal time to give Honda fans a taste of the new Type R, though sadly, it's not the official reveal we've been waiting for. The prototype will still be dressed in camouflage, though Honda plans to send the hot hatch around the track for several demonstration laps. It will also lead the field for the Indy race on July 3.


This occasion marks the first official appearance of the next Type R in the United States. It's certainly not the first time we've seen it on track, however. Spy photos have caught Type R test vehicles lapping the Nurburgring on multiple occasions. Most recently, Honda released an official teaser video of a test car going full attack at Suzuka, setting a new FWD record that was held by the current Civic Type R. Its lap time was 2 minutes, 23.1 seconds – nearly a second quicker than the previous time.

We've seen plenty of Civic Type R test vehicles, but Honda is still cagey on what's happening underneath the covers. Rumors have suggested there could be a hybrid powertrain pushing upwards of 400 horsepower, but with the recent in-car video from Suzuka, that seems very unlikely. An evolution of the current turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder is a safe assumption, creating a bit more power that's doled out through a manual transmission.

With Honda planning to show a camouflaged prototype in July, that means an official 2023 Civic Type R debut is still at least a few months away.

The next-generation Civic Type R was spied for the first time back in May 2020 but it wasn't until October 2021 when Honda teased the hot hatch. We've seen quite a few official previews since then, and now we finally know when that red disguise will come off. Speaking with Carsales magazine, Honda Australia director Stephen Collins announced the world debut will take place next month:

"It [2023 Honda Civic Type R] will be shown in the full – there's been a lot of camouflaged stuff shown – in June during the European summer."

Its global premiere will be followed by a first US appearance at the beginning of July during the NTT IndyCar Series event at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. Oddly enough, the prototype Honda will show in Ohio will still be disguised.

Believed to be the swan song for a gasoline-only Honda in Europe, the new Civic Type R is expected to use an evolution of its turbocharged 2.0-liter engine. The old FK8 model offered a healthy 316 hp, but enthusiasts are hoping the engineers will find more horses in the stable. Early rumors about going hybrid have seemingly been unfounded, so purists can likely rest assured the CTR will retain the ICE formula.

Honda has already confirmed the hatchback-only Civic Type R will be offered exclusively with a manual gearbox, much like it's the case with the Si sedan. Chances are the next-gen model will want to regain the lap record around the Nurburgring for the fastest front-wheel-drive production car. The title currently belongs to the Renault Megane RS Trophy-R with a time of 7 minutes and 40.1 seconds established in April 2019.

With three pedals, a punchy gas engine, and no electrification, the Civic Type R is shaping up to be one of the last affordable performance cars to stick to the traditional formula. At the same time, it will look substantially more civilized than its racy predecessor. That said, it will still have a big rear wing and the triple exhaust system à la Ferrari 458 Italia.

The last pure gasoline car Honda will sell in Europe is inching closer as the next-generation Civic Type R debuts this summer. Meanwhile, a short but sweet teaser video shot in May 2022 at the Nürburgring builds up the hype by showing the hot hatch going at full tilt around the Green Hell. The prototype is still fully camouflaged, but we can still see some juicy details, including the Brembo brake calipers behind the black wheels.

The triple exhaust system à la Ferrari 458 Italia is still there, and so is the massive rear wing making the Civic Type R look substantially more aggressive than its rivals. The red camo can’t hide the beefier wheel arches, revised aero, and upgraded cooling over a regular model. While Honda sells the Si strictly as a sedan, the CTR will be a hatchback-only affair. The two do have something in common as both body styles come exclusively with a manual gearbox.



Honda has been tight-lipped about the engine, but everyone is expecting a turbocharged 2.0-liter gasoline unit. There had been some reports about the model going hybrid, and even stepping up to an all-wheel-drive system, but those were unfounded. The engineers have likely tinkered with the four-pot unit to extract a bit more power over the already healthy 306 hp or 316 hp you got in the FK8 depending on region-based emissions regulations. For what it's worth, Honda does vaguely hint at more oomph, saying the next-gen car will be the "most powerful, best performing Civic Type R ever."

The teaser campaign has largely focused on the Nordschleife, which could be Honda’s not-so-subtle way of telling us it’s going after the fastest FWD production car record. A pre-production prototype has already claimed that title at home in Suzuka, so we won’t be too surprised if the CTR will want to become the Lord of the ‘Ring once again.

To do that, it'll have to complete a lap in less than the 7 minutes and 40.1 seconds needed by the (takes deep breath) Renault Megane RS Trophy-R Nürburgring Pack. The French automaker took out the rear seats and made some other radical changes to its hot hatch, so we'll have to wait and see whether its archrival from Japan will be just as extreme.

The new Honda Civic Si hasn’t been out for long, but Honda already has a turnkey race car version, and you can buy it. Fully developed and tested in-house by Honda Performance Development engineers, the Civic Si FE1 costs $55,000, and it looks like a great big ball of fun.

Its 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine gets an HPD-tuned ECU that allows for selectable levels of power to meet any balance of power restrictions you may have to adhere to. However, Honda does not provide power figures. It gets a Borla turbo-back exhaust to breathe better and sound like a proper race car. The six-speed manual transmission is strengthened, and it’s equipped with a Cusco racing limited-slip differential.

The body-in-white is unique, and it deletes the road car’s sunroof, sound proofing, insulation, underbody coating and seam sealer. An FIA-spec roll cage is installed, and you get a 16-gallon fuel cell. When it comes to the chassis, this car is very different from the regular Si. You get adjustable Bilstein dampers, HPD front camber plates, a camber-adjustable rear upper arm, a rear toe adjustable arm, Wilwood 6-piston brake calipers, Wilwood two-piece slotted rotors, HPD stainless steel brake lines and Enkei RPF-1 17-inch wheels.

Inside, you can expect a bunch of race gear. This includes an OMP racing seat, OMP six-point harness, an OMP quick-disconnect steering wheel, racing window net, Motec C127 dash data logger, OMP fire-suppression kit and an HPD ballast kit.

Honda says that deliveries will begin this fall. If you want one, Honda will take a $25,000 deposit from you now, with the rest being due upon vehicle delivery.

Honda Australia director Stephen Collins said a while back the next-generation Civic Type R would debut in June, but obviously, that didn't happen. It seems we'll have to wait some more for the hot hatchback since this latest teaser probably won't be followed right away by the official reveal. Ahead of its hotly anticipated debut, the new CTR in prototype guise has landed in the United States.

Still camouflaged, the range-topping version of Honda's compact car lapped the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course with vehicle dynamics engineer Chad Gilsinger behind the wheel. The 2023 Civic Type R served as the lead vehicle at the start of Sunday's Honda Indy 200. Technical specifications are still shrouded in mystery, but we're being told the vehicle has been developed from the ground up and is an all-new model rather than an evolution of the old FK8.




Already crowned the fastest front-wheel-drive car around the challenging Suzuka circuit, the revamped CTR was seen last month being pushed hard around the Nürburgring. That hot lap around the Green Hell might've been done in an attempt to beat the 7 minutes and 40.1 seconds lap time of the current FWD production car record holder, the Renault Megane RS Trophy-R Nürburgring Pack.

Likely the last Honda performance car to do away with electrification, the 2023 Civic Type R is reportedly sticking to the tried-and-tested formula. A turbocharged 2.0-liter gasoline engine with over 300 horsepower is expected, perhaps with a bit more oomph than the 306 hp or 316 hp available in its predecessor depending on the region. The company did say a while back it's going to be the "most powerful, best performing" version ever, one that's bound to be offered exclusively with a six-speed manual transmission.

In the brief press release issued to mark the CTR's debut in the United States, Honda says the hot hatch will go on sale locally before the end of the year. When it does, don't be too surprised if it'll hit the $40,000 mark considering the old one retailed for $38,910. If that's out of reach, the sedan-only Si kicks off at $27,500 and it too comes with a three-pedal setup.

The anticipation for the arrival of the next-generation Honda Civic Type R in North America has already begun with the automaker's official announcement last week. That's going to be for the US, and it seems like America's neighbor up north will have a tight situation as far as CTR fans are concerned.

That's according to user fastSI on the CivicXI forum site, who leaked that the FL-generation Civic Type R will come in limited numbers for Canada. The user claimed to be an employee of a Honda dealer in Quebec, Canada. The tipster stated that only 546 units of the Civic Type R will be sold.

More importantly, the leakage said that the 546 units will be divided over three years (2023, 2024, and 2025) – the only years that the record-breaking Civic Type R will be sold in Canada. Details of the allocation have been spilled but in a nutshell, not all dealers will get a slot; only big dealers that sold over five units a year will be given a chance to sell the hot hatch to Canadian buyers.

Of note, the information above is unconfirmed at this point so take this news with a grain of salt. It will also only apply to Canada.

But if true, it's almost inevitable that resellers will take advantage of the situation and sell the next CTR with huge markups in that part of the world.
Meanwhile, the neighboring US already got a taste of the 2023 Civic Type R, albeit, still dressed in its red camo. Details of its availability in the US are still scarce, but American buyers can expect its pricing to go above $40,000. Honda has confirmed that the hot hatch will go on sale before the end of the year, while the alleged five color options have also been leaked recently.

This marks the intersection of two important milestones in Honda history. First, it's the 30th anniversary of the "R" moniker, which first appeared on the 1992 NSX-R, a Japan market-only race-oriented variant of the NSX supercar. Second, it's the 50th anniversary of the humble Civic, which established itself as a household name with a reputation for reliability, fuel efficiency, and overall user friendliness.

Put the two together and you get the Honda Civic Type R, which has just debuted in its sixth generation. It's almost incongruous that the NSX and run-of-the-mill Civic hailed from the same company, but dig a bit deeper on the Civic and you'll see iterations that weren't your run-of-the-mill grocery getter. Generations with double-wishbone suspensions, variable valve timing, and ultra-low cowls intentionally designed for maximum visibility belied what was, ostensibly, a sensible competitor to the Toyota Corolla or Chevy Cavalier.

Honda is still keeping mum on the 2023 Honda Civic Type R's specs. The only hint at what lies beneath a new skin is a claim that it's the most powerful Honda-branded vehicle ever offered in the U.S., and that it's the most powerful Type R model ever made. That would imply that its 2.0-liter turbocharged four will produce more power than the 306 horsepower that the last CTR possessed and, technically, even more than the 316 horsepower that this previous generation made in Japan and Europe.

It has already demonstrated this power on Honda's home turf, setting a new lap record for a front-wheel-drive car at Suzuka Circuit. A record, incidentally, that it wrested from the previous Civic Type R Limited Edition.



Beyond the undisclosed power, Honda says the 2023 Civic Type R will come with an improved six-speed manual transmission and rev-matching system. It will also sit longer, lower and wider than before, with wider tires as well.

That's all Honda is willing to reveal in terms of hardware for now. But what we can see for ourselves is that the 2023 Civic Type R wears a sexy new suit that is both sharp and purposeful. Gone are the predecessor's faux vents and busy lines, distractions that sidetracked what an excellent driver's car it was. Sleek lines are complemented by integrated aero to create a tight, visually appealing package.

The design is obviously based on the regular Civic released in 2021, but we think that the Type R wears the new look better than the base models or even the 2022 Civic Si. Part of that may be the CTR's more menacing front bumper with larger intakes, or its aerodynamically functional fender vents and side skirts. Perhaps it's the rear diffuser or very light-looking touring car-style wing. Or it could derive from its overall wider stance that includes redesigned rear doors to accommodate the girth.

Of course these elements enhance any car visually. But that the CTR would look better than the Si wasn't a foregone conclusion, given the visually hectic previous-gen. Now, we can say definitively say that the Civic Type R is a car we'd be proud to look back at while walking away from its parking spot.



Cabin-wise the Civic Type R returns to form finished in the traditional bright red that adorned past R models. The slim aluminum shifter returns as well, a hallmark of Honda's most track-oriented offerings. Honda says the seat material employs a high friction coefficient to better hold occupants in during high-g cornering. A Type R serial number plate sits on the dash, indicating a limited production.

New to the 2023 model is an instrument readout exclusive to the +R drive mode. It uses a graphic rpm display and rev indicator lights to provide information quickly when hustling the car. And gear position is indicated at the top so driver's don't need to look down as far.

Honda's LogR app makes a return as well, which gets data directly from the car's onboard computer. It records driver input and lap times to help racers improve on the track.

The 2023 Civic Type R will be only the second Type R sold in the U.S. The previous iteration was a fantastic circuit weapon. With all the experience Honda has under its belt after decades of infusing racing expertise into modest road cars, we have no reason to doubt this one will continue the tradition.