Cover story: Honda Civic Type R

Cover story: Honda Civic Type R
MAGIC
’BOX
A six-speed manual
is the only option. It uses
the casing from a diesel CR-V
with similar torque loading,
but bespoke ratios. The shift
action is just 40mm, with a large
capacity synchromesh to reduce
mechanical resistance. Power
goes to the front wheels via
a helical limited-slip
diferential.
SUSPENSION
HIGHLIGHTS
Essentially MacPherson
strut front, torsion-beam rear,
but there are adaptive dampers
for the first time, which firm up by
30% when you press the R+ button.
Dual Axis Strut front suspension
follows Megane RS/Focus RS logic
– the strut doesn’t turn with the
wheel, keeping more tyre on
the road. Torque steer
reduced by 55%.
WHEELS,
BRAKES AND
TYRES
Type R gets serious fourpiston
Brembo calipers up
front that squeeze 350mm
drilled discs, with 295mm solid
discs and sliding calipers at the
rear. The stoppers sit behind
19-inch alloys shod in
235/35 R19 Continental
Sport Contact 6
tyres.
AERODYNAMICS
Enlarged intakes
increase flow to the engine
intake, air-to-air intercooler
and radiator, while vents on the
wider aluminium front wings help
evacuate hot air. Honda doesn’t
quote figures, simply saying that
the aero mods, including an
almost entirely flat
under-floor, generate
downforce.
Virtually flat
underfloor and
aero-optimised
body sucks Type
R to the road like a
full-on racer. Just
don’t lift!
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