Honda’s hottest, hardest-core hatchback has been given a refresh for 2020.
The updated Civic Type R touches down October 1 with freshened styling, mechanical upgrades, and a price tag $3000 higher than before.
Priced at $54,990 before on-road costs, the freshened Type R picks up a few extras, including Honda’s new LogR data-logging software and smartphone application.
LogR features three main functions. When connected with the smartphone app, the Performance Monitor function displays vehicle information on the touchscreen including coolant and oil temperatures and oil and atmospheric pressures.
Log Mode records track times while Auto Score monitors driver behaviour and encourages smoother inputs. Both these functions offer more information through the smartphone app, including a historical record of your driving.
Other additions to the 2020 Type R include an Alcantara-wrapped steering wheel and Active Sound Control, which enhances the car’s sound in Sport and R+ modes but subdues it in Comfort.
Tweaks have been made to the Type R’s mechanicals, including a retuned Adaptive Damper System that is claimed to evaluate road conditions ten times faster than before.
There are stiffer rear bushings for improved cornering, plus stiffer bushings and lower-friction ball joints up front for sharper steering.
Braking has been improved via the introduction of new two-piece floating front brake discs and new brake pads that use a more fade-resistant material.
There’s a revised grille, which has the added benefit of improving engine cooling due to its larger size. The fog light surrounds and front air dam have also been modestly tweaked, as has the rear bumper.
A new addition to the Type R’s palette is Racing Blue, which joins the carryover range of colours.
There are more tweaks inside, including a restyled shifter and the updated 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system introduced to the rest of the Civic range earlier this year. It adds hard keys and a volume control knob.
Unchanged is the Type R’s crackerjack VTEC turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 228kW of power at 6500 rpm and 400Nm of torque from 2500-4500 rpm. The only transmission is a six-speed manual with rev-matching.
Still standard are LED headlights, adaptive cruise control, proximity entry with push-button start, and 20-inch alloy wheels.
Inside, you’ll also find Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and dual-zone climate control, while standard safety kit includes autonomous emergency braking, lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist.
