Recently unveiled Civic sets new standards

Type R vehicles have garnered a cult following around the world. A world-first application of Honda’s new 2.0 litre VTEC turbo engine, aggressive function-led styling, and pioneering new chassis technologies combine to deliver one of the most immersive and rewarding driving experiences available in any sector.
The new 2015 Civic Type R will be powered by the most extreme and high-performing engine in the 22-year history of the red ‘H’ badge, signalling the start of a new performance era for the Honda brand.
At the heart of the Civic Type R is an all-new, direct-injected turbocharged 2.0 litre VTEC turbo petrol engine, which delivers power, torque and performance figures unmatched in the front-wheel drive hot hatch segment. Peak power output is 228kW@6 500r/min and 400Nm@2 500r/min – both higher than for any previous Honda Type R model.
Red-lining at 7 000r/min, the engine – part of Honda’s next-generation Earth Dreams Technology series – features an advanced new turbocharger with VTEC technology that boosts low-end torque and delivers sustained acceleration.
The Civic Type R’s blistering performance is unmatched in the front-wheel drive hot hatch segment: the 0-100km/h is covered in just 5,7 seconds – making it the fastest accelerating performance front-wheel drive hatchback – and top speed, where permitted, is a class-leading 270km/h.
The new engine is mated to a slick-shifting six-speed manual transmission, safeguarding an intimate, rewarding connection with the drive train, and power is directed through the front wheels.

It’s function-dictated form
The styling changes that are unique to the Civic Type R give the car an aggressive, purposeful stance, yet almost all have a functional purpose. The sleek and aerodynamically efficient design reflects a car developed to perform at speed. The focus on aerodynamics has ensured high-speed stability and high levels of downforce.
The development work was validated through extensive prototype testing both on the road and on track, including the Suzuka Formula One circuit, the Nürburgring Nordschleife and the company’s Takasu test facility. A new, almost completely flat underside and rear diffuser effectively ‘sucks’ the car onto the road.
A wide front splitter and deep side skirts also manage airflow and reduce lift, while the front bumper has been shaped specifically to inhibit air turbulence around the front wheels, enhancing high-speed stability and reducing lift forces.
New lightweight, high-rigidity 19-inch alloy wheels, unique to the Type R, complement the visual changes. They fill the enlarged wheel arches with 235/35R19 tyres that were developed specially for the Type R.
To help the driver manage the Type R’s prodigious power, the car is equipped with a high performance Brembo brake package, developed specifically for the car. At the front, four-piston callipers apply braking force to 350mm drilled discs.

A cabin with a sporting ambience
A range of aesthetic and functional upgrades within the cabin reinforce the
Type R’s sporting character. As with previous Type R models, the gear-lever knob is made from machined aluminium alloy. High-backed sports seats, trimmed in suede-effect black fabric with red double stitching, provide driver and front-seat passenger with ample lateral support during harder cornering.

New suspension
A number of innovative new suspension systems, unique to the Type R, have been introduced to produce rewarding handling characteristics and to maximise power transfer to the road.
A new four-point adaptive damper system, an advanced dual-axis strut front suspension, H-shaped torsion-beam suspension construction with a bespoke ‘crushed pipe’ which improves rear roll rigidity by 180%, means that the ride is more comfortable and supple in everyday driving and cruising.
These systems are complemented by dual-pinion electric power steering, which helps to deliver rapid yet linear steering response and abundant feel.

The X-factor
The new Civic Type R will mark the debut of the new ‘+R’ button that increases the response of various chassis and drive train systems. When +R mode is activated, engine responsiveness is heightened, with torque-mapping changed to a more aggressive and performance-focused setting. Steering receives reduced power assistance and is therefore more responsive to driver inputs, and basic damping force from the new four-point adaptive damper system is increased by 30%. This means the behaviour of the car is firmer and more agile for high-performance handling.
Honda’s city-brake active system will be fitted as standard on the Civic Type R.
The all-new Honda Civic Type R will go on sale across Europe from this summer.