Honda Civic Type R 2023: 235kW confirmed for Australian market

Aussie hot hatches to have 235kW and 420Nm – the most powerful Type R yet – but power is down on Japanese versions

The 2023 Honda Civic Type R will pack 235kW and 420Nm from its 2.0-litre VTEC turbo four-cylinder when it lands in Australian buyers’ hands in early 2023.

That power figure is down on Japanese Type R versions’ 243kW – the missing 8kW likely due to Australia’s poorer quality fuel.

Honda Civic Type R 2023-3 — The Civic Type R is confirmed to get a 235kW tune in Australia

Even so, it’s the most powerful Type R model yet, and the Australian outputs for the sixth-generation hot hatch are improvements of 7kW and 20Nm over the previous model.

More Honda Civic Type R news

The new Type R is officially released in Japan tomorrow (September 2) and has already set a new front-wheel-drive production car lap record at the country’s Suzuka Circuit.

The more-powerful, torquier and more response version of the K20C1 engine features a redesigned turbocharger, increased air intake flow rate and a more efficient exhaust system with a straight-through design and active exhaust valve. It’s not going to sound soft, is it?

Honda Civic Type R 2023-2 — There’s a six-speed manual transmission as standard, naturally

Mated to a six-speed manual transmission, the new Type R features a lighter flywheel and a revised rev-matching system. We’re also told the gearbox has gained a high-rigidity lever and ‘optimised shift gate pattern’ for a ‘hyper-precise gear changes.’ We’re just grateful this hot hatch icon still comes with three pedals.

Other improvements include a bigger radiator, larger grille opening, a significantly more rigid body structure, extended wheelbase and wider front and rear tracks.

The dual-axis strut front and multilink rear suspension have been retuned, while there are two-piece front brake rotors to reduce unsprung weight. Wheels are 19-inch matte black lightweight items shod in Michelin Pilot Sport 4S rubber.

Honda Civic Type R 2022 front end — The Type R should hit Australian shores early next year

There are four pre-set performance settings to choose from – Comfort, Sport, +R and new Individual – selecting different modes for the engine, steering, suspension and engine sound.

The cockpit features a digital driver display which in +R (race track) mode prioritises engine rpm and gear position in the driver’s view.

There’s an enhanced version of Honda’s LogR performance datalogger which combines the onboard computer and sensors with a built-in vehicle app. You can monitor and record numerous performance parameters in real time when on the track.

No details on Australian pricing and full specification yet. We’re promised this information closer to the early 2023 launch.