New Honda Civic Type R - Geneva 2017

Having run one as a long-termer, taken it to the Nurburgring and compared it with rivals new and old, we learned to admire the turbocharged FK2 Civic Type R. Indeed, it still seems like a new car. But here comes its replacement already! That fast turnaround is because the last Type R meant a heavy re-engineering job for Honda and its Civic platform. Rather than have the Type R ready to roll out immediately the development work required meant it didn't arrive until late in the product cycle. 

This new Type R, revealed today at Geneva and on sale in the autumn, was instead part of the plan from the very beginning, meaning it follows hot on the heels of the standard version that launched earlier this year. It will cost slightly more than today's £30,000 asking price.

The Type R might be known as one of the more track-focused hot hatches, but there's a change of tone for this generation. Indeed, Honda says it will strike the perfect balance between performance and comfort. "We are trying to balance two aspects. Some rivals focus on extreme performance and others are going in the comfort direction. We want to go right in the middle," says the model's project boss Hideki Kakinuma. That's largely because the Type R will sell in America for the first time, so Honda needs to appeal to a broader audience.

But Type R fans, have no fear. Kakinuma confirmed to us Honda is still going for the elusive Nurburgring front-wheel drive lap record this spring. It's got some catching up to do. A pre-production version of the outgoing Type R held the record until last May, when Volkswagen's Golf GTI Clubsport S stole the crown, recording a lap time of 7min 49.21sec, 1.4 seconds faster than the Type R. Honda responded last summer by setting new front-wheel-drive car lap records at five European racing circuits. And then VW returned to the Nordschleife and took another two seconds off its time, just for good measure. 

So what about the figures? The Type R uses the same turbocharged 2.0-litre VTEC engine as the outgoing model, with power increased by 10hp to 320hp at 6,500rpm. Torque is the same at 295lb ft from 2,500rpm to 4,500rpm. While the engine has the same fundamental design exhaust flow has been improved and the mapping updated, Honda claiming improved throttle response - a big problem with the previous car - and driveability as a result.  

Weight is "just about the same" as the existing Type R - 1,382kg - so along with the slight rise in power you can bank on a token reduction in the FK2's 5.7 seconds from 0-62mph. There's nothing official yet, though.

The hot hatch also keeps a six-speed manual rather than opting for a dual-clutch auto like some of its rivals. "We want to offer customers the joy of shifting for themselves," says Kakinuma. It also gets a new rev-match control system for smoother gearshifts if you're not a heel'n'toe master. Hopefully it's switchable for those who are!  

Longer, lower and wider than before, the model's centre of gravity is 34mm lower while the driver's hip point is 50mm lower. It uses the bodyshell of the standard Civic and with further use of adhesive in key areas; accordingly its torsional rigidity is 39 per cent improved compared to the previous Type R, claims Honda.

The Macpherson strut suspension of the standard model has also been revised for the Type R with new geometry intended to minimise torque steer and "maximise sporty handling", to use Honda's words. It also uses the same multi-link rear axle - yes, the torsion beam has gone! - as the standard Civic, but adds high-rigidity suspension arms. 

The aerodynamics are also improved with a smoother underbody, front air curtain, a lightweight rear wing and vortex generators on the roof line. Honda claims the result is a best-in-class balance between lift and drag.

There's something else new for die-hard Type R fans, which hopefully means its track ability will be even better than before. That's the three drive modes. The sensible one, Comfort, should make the car feel like a standard Civic, while Sport is the default mode. The R mode - familiar from the FK2 - is "a bit harder than before" according to Kakinuma. "We've extended the spectrum of the modes," he adds. We'll look forward to putting that promise to the test soon as soon as possible. 

[Rachel Burgess]