Honda, with this saving grace, as far as we are concerned, all is forgotten and forgiven

The version that has recently returned to the price list is the Civic Type R. The letter R stands for Racing. That’s not a lie, because the current Type R based on the eleventh generation Honda Civic is the most powerful ever, with 329 hp. The maximum speed is 275 km / h. It is not without reason that you can only assemble it on the track in the online car configurator at Honda.nl.

Honda Civic Type R: low and wide

Honda has clearly worked on the Type R. It is 8 mm closer to the road than the base Civic with hybrid technology and is 90 mm wider. If we include the previous Type R, we are talking about 13 and 15 mm. So low and wide.

Anyone who, after seeing this Civic, still doubts whether this is the fastest version out there, need only look at the three centrally located rear spoilers and the large rear spoiler. The aluminum hood has air intakes so the 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine doesn’t get too hot. Modified nose, high damage works all around and diffuser ensures better optimization.

Thanks to the extra track width at the rear, cornering stability is further improved. The front suspension has been redesigned and fitted with new lower wishbones that are stiffer than those of the previous Type R.

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Feel the addictive driving

Special operating range bearings also provide additional stiffness. Plus, it lasts longer, Honda promises. Only a few steering adjustments are needed for the Type-R to change course. The feedback has been positive. Honda itself talks about ‘addictive steering feel’ and we totally agree.

The Honda Civic Type R has front-wheel drive and an automatic transmission is something for the faint of heart. Must work manually with 6-speed manual transmission. With its high-revving engine and +R-oriented driving mode where the instruments show only the essentials, the Honda is more aggressive than its competitors, such as Ford Focus ST. The VTEC petrol engine only comes to life when the tachometer passes 6500 revolutions per minute. Then Type R is more powerful as comedian Jochem Myjer.

The fact that Honda dares to bring a car like the Civic Type R to market at a time of global warming and electrification shows courage. The car has paint on everything that is green. You can’t even order it in that color. CO2 emissions are a steady 186 g/km on average, but can skyrocket to 260 g/km.

Due to high CO2 emissions, the purchase price can be called high (if it is called). The Honda Civic Type R costs 88,560 euros in the Netherlands. We can’t be mad at Honda, because this is the government’s fault. In Belgium you spend 60,000 euros.

Conclusion of the Honda Civic Type-R test

The Honda Civic Type R needs a strong arm, but in return it’s ready to give everything it’s got. Like a Rottweiler who doesn’t want anything and doesn’t need a pat on the head, but needs the owner to give him his back when necessary. Then he will pass through the fire for you. It is the hottest part of the current.