Honda confirms Civic Type R pricing and spec

HONDA has confirmed drive-away pricing for its hotly anticipated Civic Type R this week, the 235kW hot hatch available from $72,600 drive-away when order books open on December 1.

The Japanese importer says first customer deliveries of the eleventh-generation Civic Type R hot hatch are scheduled to begin in February 2023. Customers will be able to formally process a booking via their nearest Honda Centre.

Considering its predecessor was priced at $54,990 before on-road costs, Honda’s repositioning of the new Civic Type R lands it in the ballpark of all-wheel drive performance hatches from German premium brands, including the Audi S3 (from $70,800 + ORC) and BMW M135i xDrive Pure (from $67,900 + ORC).

Toyota’s yet-to-be priced, all-wheel drive GR Corolla could end up similar money to the Type R, while a Volkswagen Golf R packs a lot of technology and performance for $65,990 + ORC.

Hot hatch fans may also consider the bargain Hyundai i30 N (from $46,200 + ORC), Mini JCW (from $60,380 + ORC), Renault Megane RS Trophy (from $62,300 + ORC) and Subaru WRX tS (from $56,990 + ORC) as Civic Type R rivals.

Producing 235kW at 6500rpm and 420Nm from 2600-4000rpm, the latest Civic Type R is the most powerful yet and will be offered as standard with a six-speed manual transmission. A lighter flywheel and revised rev-matching system is said to ensure “hyper precise” shifting.

The front-wheel drive hot hatch promises a more responsive and “more thrilling to drive” experience than before, the K20C1 engine boasting a redesigned turbocharger and more efficient exhaust system to offer improvements of 7kW and 20Nm over the previous model.

Honda says it has retuned the Civic Type R’s dual-axis strut front and multilink rear suspension to improve straight-line stability and steering feel. While two-piece front rotors reduce unsprung mass and improve braking performance.

The Type R rides on 19-inch matte black alloy wheels shod with 265/30 profile Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres.

On the equipment front, the Australian 2023 Honda Civic Type R will offer individual drive modes, an active exhaust valve, 10.2-inch digital driver display, a 9.0-inch infotainment array with wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless phone charger, Honda LogR telemetry system, sat nav, folding door mirrors, and ambient door and footwell lighting.

The Civic Type R shares much of its safety equipment with the Civic VTi LX including a full complement of airbags, blind-spot information system, rear cross-traffic alert, speed limiter, driver attention monitor and more.

Inside, the cockpit includes the Civic Type R’s iconic red seats, carpet and trim, a redesigned aluminium shift knob and a serialised Type R build plate affixed to the dashboard.

Locally, the Civic Type R is offered in a range of four paint colours including Championship White, Rally Red, Crystal Black and Sonic Grey.

“Since the world premiere of the all-new Civic Type R in July, more than 4000 enthusiasts and prospective customers have registered their details via the Honda website, keen to stay up to date with the latest news and information on the new model,” said Honda Australia director Carolyn McMahon.

“There has also been a significant spike in the volume of enquiry we’ve received, with our network of Honda Centres telling us that customers are contacting them regularly, eager to put their names down to secure a new Civic Type R.

“We understand the level of interest as the Civic Type R represents the pinnacle of performance for Honda, so to support our network partners and customers, we’ve opened the order books early to allow official orders to be placed via our customer experience portal.”