The new-generation Type R is based on the 11th-generation Civic, whose platform is an ‘optimised’ version of that of the previous car. But the wheelbase is longer by 35mm and the track widened by 15mm, because Honda wanted a wider and lower stance. Weight is up nearly 30kg to 1429kg, mostly because it now needs a petrol particulate filter.
Body modifications increase static torsional rigidity by 15%, but that’s only half the story, says Honda. It has used nearly four times as much adhesive along the joints, which makes for much greater local stiffness, although it’s hard to measure in percentage terms. But overall it makes for a more stable platform from which to hang the mechanicals.
And, for a front-wheel-drive hatchback, it has quite the swanky set of mechanicals. The engine is a 2.0-litre turbocharged unit based mostly on the previous car’s, although with a lighter flywheel, increased air intake capacity and a freer-flowing exhaust, among other things.
It now makes 325bhp at 6500rpm and 310lb ft at just 2200rpm (previously 316bhp and 295lb ft).
Power drives through a six-speed manual gearbox, as before but with a redesigned gate to reduce the lever’s lateral flex when in gear and, in particular, to ease the second-to-first downshift; to make what was already very good more precise. There’s a mechanical limited-slip differential, too.
Putting 325bhp through the front wheels alone is asking a lot, so the suspension retains its dual-axis strut to reduce the gap between the wheel centre and kingpin so there’s less propensity to torque steer. At the rear is a multi-link set-up and there are adaptive dampers. From those points of view this remains an analogue old-school hot hatch, but it’s a school whose last day of term is looming. Time to bring games.
What the increase in body rigidity means, I think, is that the suspension is in the right place to do its job more often, in turn allowing Honda to offer a car with more compliance. The previous car needed to be stiff to return the precision Honda wanted; here the inherent rigidity should provide most of that, which should allow for a softer set-up.