Tokyo show: Honda updates Civic Type R

HONDA has unveiled the first update for its fire-breathing Civic Type R small car at the Tokyo Auto Salon, which ushers in updated styling, aerodynamic enhancements and added dynamic ability for the hi-po model.

The update, due to arrive in Australia near the end of the year, is the first refresh for the Civic Type R since the current, fifth-generation Type R landed Down Under in October 2017.

Extra engine cooling comes courtesy of a larger grille opening, while a new paint colour – the striking, exclusive Boost Blue – will be added to the Type R’s palette in 2020.

Inside, design changes include a new steering wheel wrapped in ALCANTARA, an updated shifter for the six-speed manual transmission with a new knob and shorter throw, and for other global markets, the introduction of Honda Sensing active safety kit.

Honda Sensing is already standard on Australian examples, and includes features such as lane departure warning, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control and autonomous emergency braking.

The Japanese car-maker has also improved the dynamics of the Type R, updating the dampers for better ride comfort, stiffer rear bushings allowing for better grip, and revised front suspension allowing for greater steering feel and reduced friction.

Stopping power has also been enhanced with new two-piece brake rotors and pads that help to reduce fade and bolster high-speed braking efficiency.

No changes have been made the Type R’s 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine, which continues to produce a heady 228kW at 6500rpm and 400Nm from 2500-4500rpm.

The Type R drives the front wheels only via a close-ratio six-speed manual transmission, with a limited-slip differential helping to accurately channel power to the road.

Three drive modes carry over – Comfort, Sport and R+ – with a new feature called Active Sound Control added to modify interior sound to suit each drive mode.

More specification details on the updated Civic Type R are expected to be revealed closer to the model’s release in Australia near the end of 2020.

In 2019, Honda recorded 10,531 sales of the Civic hatch and sedan range, down 21.8 per cent over the previous 12 months where it managed 13,470 units.

The Civic ended up sixth in the over small car sales race, behind the Toyota Corolla (30,468), Hyundai i30 (28,378), Mazda3 (24,939), Kia Cerato (21,757) and Volkswagen Golf (14,355).