2020 Honda Civic Type R Gets A Price Hike, But Has Improved Tech And Dynamics

Honda staged the North American debut of the 2020 Civic Type R at the Chicago Auto Show and now the company has announced pricing will start at $36,995 – excluding a $955 destination charge.

Costing $695 more than its predecessor, the 2020 model features a host minor changes. Starting up front, there’s a new grille with a 13% larger opening. This, combined with a new radiator core, helps to improve engine cooling in “high-demand situations” such as track use.

The model also has a revised color palette and a redesigned front spoiler. Honda say the latter is “slightly deeper on the left and right sides,” and includes new ribbed sections which deflect air back onto the spoiler.

Also Read: 2020 Honda Civic Type R Arrives In America With Minor Styling, Chassis Tweaks And A Boost Blue Color

Moving into the cabin, the model features a new Alcantara-wrapped steering wheel as well as a new shift lever with a restyled knob. Honda says the knob recalls ones used on previous Type R models and features a 90 gram counterweight which helps to improve shift feel and accuracy.

On the tech front, the Type R gains an engine sounder enhancer and the Honda Sensing suite of driver assistance systems. The latter includes Adaptive Cruise Control, Forward Collision Warning and a Collision Mitigation Braking System. Other highlights include Lane Keeping Assist and Road Departure Mitigation Lane Departure Warning.

Another new addition is a data logger which is exclusive to the model. Essentially a smartphone app, the LogR accesses the car’s computer and sensors to provide a wealth of vehicle information.

The LogR has three primary functions including a Performance Monitor which shows critical information such as oil and coolant temperatures, oil and atmospheric pressures, engine intake air temperature and the gear position. The Performance Monitor can also display a G-Meter and a 3D view which “provides a bird’s-eye visual of the car’s pitch, roll and yaw, similar to what one might see in a high-end racing video game.”

Log Mode is an entirely different beast as it helps drivers improve their lap times. As part of this process, the system uses GPS and sensor data to show where drivers are accelerating, braking and doing other dynamics things. This information is then shown in green, yellow or red to indicate progression. Honda says the ultimate goal of this is to “encourage smooth use of the clutch, shifter, steering, brakes and accelerator, keeping the car in balance, and thus improving overall driving skills, not just the skills required for a particular track.”

Lastly, the LogR has an Auto Score function which monitors the driver’s behavior by tracking inputs for acceleration, deceleration and steering. It calculates a score for each of those parameters as well as an overall score. In effect, it encourages drivers to get better over time.

Getting back to the car, it’s powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder that produces 306 hp (228 kW / 310 PS) and 295 lb-ft (400 Nm) of torque. The engine is connected to a six-speed manual transmission which sends power to the front wheels via a limited-slip differential.

While the engine carries over, the suspension has been equipped with stiffer bushings and new ball joints. The Adaptive Damper system has also been improved as it now evaluates road conditions 10 times faster than its predecessor. Honda says this results in improved damper reactions which help to improve ride quality and handling response.

Finally, the Civic Type R gains an upgraded braking system with new two-piece rotors and improved pads which are more fade-resistant. The new braking system is also lighter as it helps to reduce unsprung weight by approximately 5 lbs (2.3 kg).