Honda Civic Type R - that's all new to the cult racer

Anyone who likes sports cars and likes to stand out - can be helped. With the Honda Civic Type R. The cult racer is available for just under 42,000 euros. Now reissued - and with two impressive special models.

• 320 hp catapult the Type R from 0 to 100 in less than six seconds.
• More driving fun thanks to better brakes and shorter switching distances.
• The special edition limited to 100 copies is extremely yellow and light.

Facelift of the Honda Civic Type R: That has happened

Maybe they have translated the cult cult series "Monaco Franze" into Japanese. At least the motto of the eternal Casanova is now used by Honda *. "A bissel what's always possible" - that's the same with the facelift of the Civic Type R. Not much new - but a little something has already gone.

And so the Japanese did without the cosmetic surgeon, instead threw a round of botox and occasionally let the beautician on. They redesigned the surround of the fog lights, revised the front and rear panels , and built the grille so that it allows more air to pass through. In addition to a cheekier look, this gives the high-performance athlete a better cooling temperature under the hood (up to 10 degrees difference). Yes - and then there is a special paint color: called Racing Blue .

This is what the Civic Type R looks like from the inside

In the interior, the innovations are also on the level of a petitesse: flattering steering wheel thanks to Alcantara and the gear lever has also been revised: it is now teardrop-shaped and not spherical as before, the shifting distances are shorter. Which brings us to the technology: Here the Japanese technically overhauled the adaptive damper system, it should now react even faster and thus sharpen the handling. New two-part brakes at the front that grab better - that's it in the analogue world.

Digitally, however, the Japanese have upgraded quite a bit. Depending on the speed level, the sound is transmitted from quiet to robust via the loudspeaker system. Honda calls this artificially generated form of exhaust sound Active Sound Control . And then there's a new cell phone app called Honda LogR, which for the first time processes the information from the car sensors and the on-board computer.

Here, the pilot gets in 3-D animated look more like oil pressure, coolant temperature, and of course there is a G-meter, an acceleration sensor. This is particularly interesting when you go out on the racetrack and then have the laps analyzed. Every Type R owner can decide for themselves whether this makes sense on the daily commute to work on the traffic jams around our cities.

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Honda Civic Type R: This is what the models offer

Otherwise, everything is fine and familiar with the Civic flagship. The Japanese saw no need for action with the fine 320-hp engine . And the protruding rear spoiler known as the bar counter is also in place in its old size. Only with the new special model "Sports Line" not. Oh fright - the counter is gone! Here the expressive rear spoiler has been lowered, it no longer protrudes cheekily, but hugs the sheet metal. For real fans at least a style break, if not a mediocre fall. How can you trim the wings of a real Type R?

New 19-inch models, gray accent lines in the sheet metal, other tires - but that's not what the Sports Line is all about. The major difference to the GT is a quieter, low-vibration driving layout, almost like a sedan. A lot of additional insulation on the floor and in the rear make this possible. And the Sport Line is 500 euros cheaper than the GT.

The Civic Type R Limited Edition is anything but quiet and distinguished. The squeaky yellow special version with a black roof and black air inlet comes onto the European market only 100 times. It is 47 kilograms lighter than the GT model, among other things because the central radio display (-5.4 kilos) and some noise insulation have also been blown out. Cost point for the Spartan vehicle: Will not be revealed yet, but you can expect a surcharge. But you are guaranteed to stand out in the tin-all sorts of things on the German streets. Because a little bit always works.

Also interesting : hot as chilli - this is how the new Porsche Macan GTS drives.

Datasheet Honda Civic Type R GT

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Rudolf Bögel

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* tz.de is part of the nationwide Ippen-Digital editors network.