2023 Honda Civic Type R Revealed, Still More to Come

Tim Healey
by Tim Healey


There have been teasers, and teasers, and teasers...and now we can see the 2023 Honda Type R uncovered.


Just don't ask about specs.


Because Honda hasn't listed them yet.


Instead we're told the body is lightweight and highly rigid, though it's not said how in relation to the last-gen car.


We are promised that the engine will have more power, so that's something a bit more concrete, and the six-speed manual, which appears to be the only available transmission, will be improved. Improved how, we don't know -- better gearing for acceleration? Shorter shifts?


Similarly, the suspension and steering are said to be "enhanced" and improved.

If we sound cranky, that's just because after all this time, we were hoping to hear some numbers. That said, the car looks great to this author's eye, even with the big boy-racer wing remaining as part of the experience. And having driven the current Civing Si, and having enjoyed it, I imagine the Type R will be quite good.


To be fair to Honda, the company does get a bit more clear with some things. This car is longer, lower, and wider than what it replaces. The tires are wider, the front-fender grilles larger, and there's a new side-sill to increase airflow efficiency. The rear wing and bumper are redesigned, the rear doors wider, and the rear diffuser is new.


But the three exhaust outlets remain.


Inside, the serialized dash plate moves to the dash, and the seats, carpet, and trim are red in Type R tradition. There will be data recording features specific to Type R.

Finally, the car will be available in five colors, including Historic Championship White, which is only available on Type R Civics. Rallye Red, Boost Blue, Crystal Black Pearl, and Sonic Grey Pearl round out the menu.


Soon enough, we'll have specs, pricing, and an on-sale date. For now, though, you can gawk.

Tim Healey
Tim Healey

Tim Healey grew up around the auto-parts business and has always had a love for cars — his parents joke his first word was “‘Vette”. Despite this, he wanted to pursue a career in sports writing but he ended up falling semi-accidentally into the automotive-journalism industry, first at Consumer Guide Automotive and later at Web2Carz.com. He also worked as an industry analyst at Mintel Group and freelanced for About.com, CarFax, Vehix.com, High Gear Media, Torque News, FutureCar.com, Cars.com, among others, and of course Vertical Scope sites such as AutoGuide.com, Off-Road.com, and HybridCars.com. He’s an urbanite and as such, doesn’t need a daily driver, but if he had one, it would be compact, sporty, and have a manual transmission.

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  • John S. John S. on Jul 22, 2022

    Looks great. Too bad I would have to wait a year or two to consider it before the 'market adjustment' comes off. I can be foolish with my money, but I have my limits.

  • MaintenanceCosts MaintenanceCosts on Jul 25, 2022

    Bolt in a hatch from a standard Civic and it would be perfect. Feeling a lot more want than I did for the last generation. Though as John S. says actually buying one will be a challenge.

  • AZFelix Hilux technical, preferably with a swivel mount.
  • ToolGuy This is the kind of thing you get when you give people faster internet.
  • ToolGuy North America is already the greatest country on the planet, and I have learned to be careful about what I wish for in terms of making changes. I mean, if Greenland wants to buy JDM vehicles, isn't that for the Danes to decide?
  • ToolGuy Once again my home did not catch on fire and my fire extinguisher(s) stayed in the closet, unused. I guess I threw my money away on fire extinguishers.(And by fire extinguishers I mean nuclear missiles.)
  • Carson D The UAW has succeeded in organizing a US VW plant before. There's a reason they don't teach history in the schools any longer. People wouldn't make the same mistakes.
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