Honda staged the North American debut of
the 2020 Civic Type R at the Chicago Auto Show and now the company has
announced pricing will start at US$ 36,995 – excluding a UD$ 955 destination charge. Costing US$ 695 more than its predecessor, the 2020 model features a host minor changes.
Starting up front, there’s a new grille with a 13% larger opening. This,
combined with a new radiator core, helps to improve engine cooling in
“high-demand situations” such as track use.
The model also has a revised color palette
and a redesigned front spoiler. Honda say the latter is “slightly deeper on the
left and right sides,” and includes new ribbed sections which deflect air back
onto the spoiler. Moving into the cabin, the model features a new
Alcantara-wrapped steering wheel as well as a new shift lever with a restyled
knob. Honda says the knob recalls ones used on previous Type R models and
features a 90 gram counterweight which helps to improve shift feel and
accuracy.
On the tech front, the Type R gains an
engine sounder enhancer and the Honda Sensing suite of driver assistance
systems. The latter includes Adaptive Cruise Control, Forward Collision Warning
and a Collision Mitigation Braking System. Other highlights include Lane
Keeping Assist and Road Departure Mitigation Lane Departure Warning. Another
new addition is a data logger which is exclusive to the model. Essentially a
smartphone app, the LogR accesses the car’s computer and sensors to provide a
wealth of vehicle information.
The LogR has three primary functions
including a Performance Monitor which shows critical information such as oil
and coolant temperatures, oil and atmospheric pressures, engine intake air
temperature and the gear position. The Performance Monitor can also display a
G-Meter and a 3D view which “provides a bird’s-eye visual of the car’s pitch,
roll and yaw, similar to what one might see in a high-end racing video game.”
Log Mode is an entirely different beast as
it helps drivers improve their lap times. As part of this process, the system
uses GPS and sensor data to show where drivers are accelerating, braking and
doing other dynamics things. This information is then shown in green, yellow or
red to indicate progression. Honda says the ultimate goal of this is to
“encourage smooth use of the clutch, shifter, steering, brakes and accelerator,
keeping the car in balance, and thus improving overall driving skills, not just
the skills required for a particular track.” Lastly, the LogR has an Auto Score
function which monitors the driver’s behavior by tracking inputs for
acceleration, deceleration and steering. It calculates a score for each of
those parameters as well as an overall score. In effect, it encourages drivers
to get better over time.
Getting back to the car, it’s powered by a
turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder that produces 306 hp and 400 Nm of torque. The engine is connected to a six-speed manual
transmission which sends power to the front wheels via a limited-slip
differential.
While the engine carries over, the
suspension has been equipped with stiffer bushings and new ball joints. The
Adaptive Damper system has also been improved as it now evaluates road
conditions 10 times faster than its predecessor. Honda says this results in
improved damper reactions which help to improve ride quality and handling
response.
Finally, the Civic Type R gains an
upgraded braking system with new two-piece rotors and improved pads which are
more fade-resistant. The new braking system is also lighter as it helps to
reduce unsprung weight by approximately 2.3 kg.
