2023 Honda Civic Type R: Engine, timing, potential performance figures and everything else we know about Japan's new hatchback hero

Would you be a fan if the 2022 Honda Civic Type R looked like this? (Image credit: Thanos Pappas)

Honda's Civic Type R has always outperformed its weight as a front-wheel drive hot hatch that could compete with more powerful rivals that even have extra drive wheels.

And hopefully Honda will stick to the same formula for its next-generation flagship hatchback, which is expected to be unveiled later this year.

Currently undergoing final testing, as seen at Japan's Suzuka Circuit, Honda has more or less decided on the key details for the next Type R, but has yet to reveal anything specific.

That said, here's a round-up of everything we know about the 2023 Honda Civic Type R.

Engine and transmission

Based on the previous car's 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine, the 2022 Civic Type R will at least match last year's hot hatch's 228kW/400Nm.

In fact, Honda calls this new version "the most efficient Civic" yet you can argue that every new generation has been up to this point.

Early rumors indicated that Honda could use hybrid technology to boost performance, perhaps drawing on the experience of the second generation NSX supercar, but that doesn't seem to be the case anymore.

So the power might not increase much, but even with the engine tuned over, the 2022 Civic Type R is still more than on par with Australia's 235kW/400Nm Volkswagen Golf R, 228kW/400Nm Audi S3 and 225kW/400 Nm Mercedes-AMG A35.

A six-speed manual transmission is already in use for the Civic Type R, but rumors also point to an automatic version that will expand the hot hatch's appeal.

Platform

Based on the 11th generation Civic, which will hit Australian showrooms in 2021, the new Type R will be visually close to its donor car, but with the added sportiness of a bodykit and signature large fender.

This means that the divisive styling of the outgoing Type R is likely gone to make way for a more mature look.

Bear in mind that the old car's "boy racer" look was fully functional, down to the hood air scoop that assisted the funnel around the engine bay, so the new car's styling is expected to perform a similar function.

It also bodes well that the standard 2022 Civic is already a respectable car for a driver who doesn't dodge corners.

Test photos have shown the new Type R prototype running on sticky Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires that will likely carry over to production.

The previous Civic Type R was also the first to introduce an adaptive suspension capable of switching between comfort and sport modes at the flick of a switch, so expect a similar system to return for the 2022 car.

Prices

The previous Civic Type R cost $54,990 excluding travel expenses, and the limited edition sold for $70,000.

However, don't expect new car prices to fall back as Honda's push into the higher market has pushed up costs on the standard Civic as well.

With the one-class 2022 Civic available for $47,200 and the expected hybrid version coming soon at an even higher price, the new Type R could break the $70,000 barrier for the first time.

That could put it in premium all-wheel drive hot hatch territory compared to the Audi S3, BMW 135i and Mercedes-AMG A35, but time will tell.

Rivals

What exactly will the Civic Type R stand up to when it comes out?

With the Ford Focus RS already out of production, the most obvious answer is the Volkswagen Golf R, which should also hit showrooms in 2022.

The Renault Megane RS also remains a strong front-wheel-drive contender, capable of surpassing the Civic Type R, and delivers 221kW/400Nm of power from a 1.8-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol engine.

The new Subaru WRX STI is expected to get out of hand this year, which should draw on the 2022kW/202Nm power of the 350 WRX to be a more worthy opponent.

However, it's perhaps Toyota that has the most resistance to Honda's hot hatch dominance as the GR Corolla rumors continue to swirl.

The 200kW/370Nm 1.6-litre three-cylinder engine is rumored to be borrowed from the hot GR Yaris, so the GR Corolla doesn't seem like much of a threat, but all-wheel traction and rally dynamics could be the deciding factor.