We are with Honda Civic Type R in İzmit Körfez Track, exactly where Type R belongs.
Type R is an affix Honda added to road type racing cars
and there are lots to talk about its appearance and performance, therefore let’s start.
Come on...
Let’s, as always, start from its design.
This car has very different and weird design, you like it or you don’t.
I am on like side. What do you think?
First of all, you percept very powerful car where ever you look at it.
When observed from front, huge red Honda logo, Type R attachment, honeycomb grill and black extension under bumper reveal that it is not a standard car.
On its side you realize that due to this very projecting fender Type R is sure-footed and seem like a bulldog.
In here there are extra air ducts.
Furthermore, on section in front of the door there are small air ducts too.
Please be assured that all of these affect Type R’s performance and are not for show.
I can say the same for brakes as well.
You see red Brembo calipers and gigantic perforated discs.
These are naturally one of the parts to stop a very powerful car.
19 inch black wheel rims are preferred and red details are used on its circumference.
Red color is absolute must in Type R anyway.
Lately I did not like the rear of the cars I have tested
but it is out of question not to like rear of Type R because it has four huge exhausts and diffuser under bumper.
Furthermore there is wing here where I can again use the word huge;
it is a feature to provide downforce when Type R reaches very high speeds.
Do not think that it is put here as an ornament.
I have one critic here; it is this splitting of the rear window just as in normal Civic Hatchback.
You are not able to see clearly the car coming from rear.
This is my only criticism about design.
I can say that this wing does not obscure rear view in my ideal sitting position.
Alright what kind of loading capacity does Type R offers?
First of all this is a road type racing car but the boot here is unbelievable.
It is reported as 500 liters but when you look in detail, as there is no spare tire, four people can fit their luggage here easily.
Now let’s check the living space in the rear.
Type R succeeds to offer volumes to its owner not anticipated from it.
For example, kneeroom here is very good.
Headroom is also not bad. An adult can sit here in comfort.
What draw my attention is that there is no baffle board in the rear.
Ultimately, it is a performance car and probably they did not put it to save weight but it looks a bit naked.
What is offered for the third passenger here?
Not really too bad.
There is a small transmission hump but to be able to experience the performance you should sit there without whining if you have a chance.
I know you are waiting impatiently for its performance.
These seats look impressive even from rear. With its red color it really succeeds to catch the eye.
I am getting behind the steering wheel but you have to be patient a bit more
because before going into the track I have to tell you briefly what does Type R gives to its driver under normal circumstances.
I will once again come to the track and drive with performance then.
Let’s start...
I am behind the steering wheel of Type R and at the moment advancing on the highway.
Before mentioning driving features let me tell you a bit about interior.
It has very similar design as Civic Hatchback but as this is Type R naturally some details have been utilized sportively.
First of all, red color is used in Type R.
You encounter it on seats, steering wheel, on top of front console and in displays.
The seats not only with its color but also with its lateral support indicate that it will grab you well at performance driving.
There are red details under steering wheel but the important one that shows this car is a racing car is the red piece placed in the center of the steering wheel.
Gear knob is one of the best features I like in this car.
There is a metal gear knob under hand that can be used easily. I like it very much.
In front of gear lever there is Type R logo and car’s serial number under it, which makes you feel that you distinctly are driving a special car.
If you are driving this type of car, you are not interested in quality too much but soft plastics are used on top of Type R.
On other places hard plastics are used but in general Japanese utilize this and we are familiar with it and should not expect more.
Let us consider the engine and driving features of Type R that you have been waiting impatiently.
In this car, two liter turbocharged petrol engine is functioning and it develops exactly 310 HP and 400 Nm of torque
and can only be purchased with 6-speed manual gearbox.
Civic Type R is really a racing car used on roads.
Some of you will know that Honda is a brand made famous by VTEC engine; therefore up to now VTEC naturally aspirated engines were used in Type R.
In this car VTEC technology is also used but for the first time in this new Civic, turbo charge is utilized.
The power of this car is much more than the previous Type R's.
The engines that use to develop 200 HP now develop 310 HP and it is considerable amount of increase.
At the moment I move in sixth gear at 115 km/h.
It is in 2500 rpm and advances very easily but this car needs to be driven with performance.
It should be 1-2 gears down shifted and enjoyed.
I have down shifted from 5 to 4 and step on it.
Because of the turbo there is a tremendous acceleration and it reached to180 km/h.
Now 200, we are moving with 210.
Acceleration is impressive.
But we are ultimately on an open traffic and I will unfortunately not be able to show you more.
I am excited to return to the track too.
I know you also are curious about its performance on the track but please be patient a bit more
while I mention general details about it and then we will go to the track and see what Type R can do there.
The performance offered a moment ago was when Type R was in normal mode.
When you press the R button at the left of the display, Type R really assumes quite a different character.
It virtually transform into a wild beast and the displays turn to red as well as the throttle responses sharpened,
steering becomes firmer and adaptive suspensions turn almost to stone.
This, of course, is a mode for track not roads as it becomes uncomfortable and aggressive.
For example, you must have seen how it bounced even with a little roughness on this smooth road as now.
Car becomes almost as stone and moves in an instant to where ever you guide it.
Suspensions even at normal mode is firm, you can be happy with Type R if you drive on this type of roads
but on rough surfaces and on keystones or speed bumps the comfort level decreases to a large extend.
Insulation of Type R is not very good but as this is ultimately a racing car, to expect insulation level to isolate you from outside world would be wrong.
There is a reasonable insulation and not much road or wind noise penetrates in but you can hear the engine noise and turbo whistle.
When mentioning engine noise, as there is a turbo charge in this car the engine rpm does not reach very high levels,
therefore the engine does not produce stark raving mad noises.
It is calmer and more mature. Due to 400 Nm of torque it offers you better traction in mid rpm.
This makes new generation Type R much better than the old generation.
For example, look I am in sixth gear and moving at 125 km/h and press the throttle;
it has so responsive construction that I reached 150 now and 155-160.
Let us finally consider the fuel consumption of Type R.
I have been driving this car for 400 km and at the moment the trip computer indicates 10.5 liters fuel consumption averages.
As you would have guessed I did not drive slowly, when you have 310 HP under your foot
and this appearance and sportive features to drive calmly is out of question especially if the road is open.
Therefore this value is very good value.
If you say the general features of Type R will do, then let us move to the track.
I have come to the track and will tour around few times but what should be done before that?
Should gauge 0-100 as this car suppose to do it in 5.7 seconds and let’s see if I can achieve that?
We are reeling a bit, as this is front drive.
100.
Type R has an amazing traction. i.e. it transfers 310 HP to front wheels.
You would wonder, isn’t 310 HP too much? Can it carry it?
Believe me they have put a very good lock and you can normally transfer the power to the wheels very well
but as this is a test car and the tires on it is a bit worn out I have skidded at the start.
Normally, Type R advances tearing the asphalt.
Even though the noise is not as natural aspirated VTEC noise, turbo’s whistle provokes you.
Inside the bend you feel the lock working very well because normally in this type of cars the front moves out when you step on the throttle
but Type R manages to pull you back as if with a rope. I should say the lock is very successful.
I will come to the start-finish straight and even when I step on it early there is no sliding and succeeds to hold the car in its line.
The gear is under hand is used very easily. I have already mentioned how good the seats were.
You see how it wraps me when the car jerks from side to side.
The brakes are magnificent. The Brembos do well in this car.
On top of the speedometer there are lights to show you the ideal times to change gears.
It normally starts with greenish color, turns to orange and becomes red.
Listen the sound.
Very good...
The pedals are very near to each other; you can very easily make heel and toe when you want to brake.
If you are driving Type R on the track, you have to switch to R mode so that it can perform what it should.
I am in R mode now and the gas responses are sharper as well as steering being firmer.
The suspensions are harder and I turn the bends like a train.
In R mode you can observe from the instruments in front, how much you press the throttle, how much you press the break and how much G force you are exposed to.
In the end, Type R is really a very pleasurable car if you are on a track or highway.
I should tell you that it tires you in the city.
If you are looking for this type of sports car, this type of Hot Hatch, Type R will answer your expectations.
Naturally there is the subject of price. This car is sold in our country today for 62.000 Euro.
This value is of course very high for a Hot Hatch especially if you consider the euro exchange rate.
But as I have previously said if you like this type of car, Type R even though it is a front drive it succeeds to offers you very enjoyable drives.
I still have some time until the sun goes down so I will keep on enjoying the İzmit Körfez Track with Type R a bit more.
I hope you like this video.
Until the next video, see you...