Honda hasn’t brought a performance car to India even though internationally the Japanese auto giant offers plenty of performance models. Fair to say, the Indian car market was never open to high-performance and hence Honda didn’t bother to give us a taste of its mean machine. However, apparently Honda has had a change of heart.
According to a new report by AutoX, Honda is planning to bring the Civic Type R to India. This comes shortly on the heels of the launch of Volkswagen Golf GTI. Performance hatchbacks cater to a niche market of motoring enthusiasts who seek an exhilarating experience every time they sit behind the steering wheel. Honda intends to do something similar with the Civic Type R.
Unlike the standard Civic sedan that was earlier available in India, the Honda Civic Type R is a front-wheel-drive hot hatch. The latest generation also holds the Nürburgring lap record as the fastest front-wheel-drive production car globally. As expected, the Civic Type R will come to India as a fully-imported CBU in limited quantities.
Honda Civic Type R: Design
The Civic Type R features a bold and aggressive design, highlighted by a sharp front fascia, wide grille, and a large rear wing. Its performance-focused look is further accentuated by smoked tail lamps and a triple centre-mounted exhaust system with active valves. The hot hatch sits on 19-inch matte-black alloy wheels and incorporates aerodynamic elements like a functional diffuser and a front lip spoiler.
Honda Civic Type R: Interiors & Features
The cabin of the Civic Type R is designed with a strong driver focus, featuring red suede sports seats and a signature red-themed Honda badge. Key features include a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster, a 9-inch infotainment touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, red LED ambient lighting, wireless charging, and dual-zone climate control. Sporty elements such as a leather-wrapped steering wheel and an aluminium gear knob further enhance the cabin’s performance appeal.
Honda Civic Type R: Engine specs & Performance
Under the hood, the Civic Type R boasts an in-line 2.0-litre turbocharged VTEC petrol engine that pumps out 325 bhp at 6,500rpm and 420 Nm of peak torque between 2,500 and 4,000 rpm. These power figures are made possible by the turbocharger, which operates at a boost pressure of 25.2 psi. Power is sent to the front wheels via a 6-speed manual transmission.
As for performance, the Civic Type R can clock a top speed of 275 kmph. The hot hatch can sprint from 0 to 100 kmph acceleration time of 5.4 seconds. The added performance will be backed up by advanced safety features. Braking is managed by Brembo 4-piston aluminium brake calipers, with 350mm front discs and 305mm rear discs. Internationally, the Civic Type R is equipped with Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres for enhanced grip.
The suspension setup includes a Dual-Axis MacPherson strut at the front and a multi-link system at the rear. Combined with an Adaptive Damper System, this configuration is designed to enhance handling and deliver precise cornering performance. Honda hasn’t put out an official word regarding a tentative launch date for the Civic Type R. When launched, it is expected to be priced between Rs 50 and 60 lakh (ex-showroom).
