All-New 2023 Honda Civic Type R Finally Revealed but There’s Little to Share

• Honda says the FL5 Type R will be the most powerful ever.

• Honda says it’s sharper, faster, and more sophisticated than ever.

We’ve read the press release five or six times now and remain baffled that Honda made such a big deal about this reveal event. Yes, everyone’s excited, and we sure still are, but this event has not brought any new bits of information to light. Honda ends the press release by stating that “Pricing and additional details on the 2023 Civic Type R will be provided closer to launch this fall.”

Don’t get us wrong, we’re not upset, simply disappointed as we’ve learned nothing from this reveal. We’ve been covering the new Type R’s progress and development for months and even got to see actual images of the car (as the whole internet did) and, as such, we were looking forward to new details and juicy specifications to sink our teeth into. Sadly, no dice.

But! The 2023 Honda Civic Type R is here and this is despite Honda’s recent and ongoing SUV onslaught.

“Even in this “year of the Honda SUV,” it’s great to be part of a brand that remains focused on the thrilling performance and joy of driving delivered by the all-new Civic Type R,” said Mike Kistemaker, assistant, vice president of Honda sales at American Honda. “Type R is about more than speed, power and handling. It’s how a great car makes you feel that really matters and that’s what the all-new Civic Type R is all about.”

We so wish we could share with you that the FL5’s turbocharged 2.0-litre engine produces 315, 335, or more horsepower, but we can’t. Honda has only bothered to say that the FL5 Type R will be the most powerful of its kind ever (FK8: 306 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 295 lb.-ft. of torque from 2,500 rpm to 4,500 rpm). Honda also specifies that the new CTR is the fastest Honda-branded vehicle ever offered in North America. We presume this is based on the Nürburgring lap time however Honda did not share this info either.

What Honda does share is that the new Type R is lightweight and features a highly rigid body which helps improve high-speed stability and scalpel-sharp responses – that’s a given. Based on the 11^th generation Civic, the CTR is longer, lower, and wider, with built-in advanced aerodynamics. Design highlights include the larger rear fenders, delicate yet extremely present rear spoiler, and the return of a hood-scoop, albeit a narrower one located at the front of the bonnet.

Compared to the FK8 and based on the images we’ve all seen; this was also obvious. In a nutshell, the new Type R is far more grown up and less boy-racer than it previously was. Colour options will reside between Championship White, Sonic Gray, and Rallye Red.

The good news is that the 6-speed manual transmission returns and has somehow been improved. As have both the suspension and steering response. The tires, which are Michelin Pilot Sport 4S  are wider and measure 265/30 but are mounted on 19-inch forged wheels. The FK8 rolled on 245/30R20 tires.

The Type R’s cabin, based on the images provided, looks nearly identical to that of the Civic Si complete with the touchscreen and digital instrument cluster. The major exceptions are a red Honda logo on the steering wheel, red carpeting, and seriously serious-looking sports seats which look like those in the FK8. As always, the cabin will include a serialized number plaque.

The New 2023 Civic Type R’s +R drive mode will feature a digital meter that will show a rev display, rev indicator lights, gear position, and other details in the digital instrument cluster.

And that’s pretty much it. Unfortunately, we have to wait some more before Honda shares the information we all really want to know. What we do know for certain is that it will once more be the best FWD car on the planet and we look forward to testing it out.