Currently reading: Honda Civic Type R to be refreshed next year in hot hatch title defence

Class-leading hot hatch will get minor exterior changes and updated infotainment to fend off new rivals

Honda will respond to increasingly tough competition against the Civic Type R by refreshing the 316bhp model for 2019.

Seen here testing in Germany, the British-built Japanese hot hatch is due to receive minor design changes including tweaked bumpers and new headlights, as shown by the placement of camouflage on the development car.

Honda is also likely to apply the latest infotainment updates to the Civic range, including the Type R, which could include the return of a volume rotary knob for the sound system (the current car uses touch buttons). But don't expect any major changes to the cabin design and ergonomics, the latter of which is among the very best in this segment for driving.

Sb3 3329

Pressure from newer rivals such as the Renault Mégane RS and Hyundai i30 N, both of which are cheaper than the Civic Type R, might encourage small adjustments to the car's chassis to further enhance its adjustability; the Mégane RS is regarded as a slightly sharper steer when equipped with optional Cup suspension.

But engineers are unlikely to want to drastically alter the car’s proven formula, including a considerably more forgiving ride than its predecessor's, and the FK8 model still ranks as the quickest front-wheel-drive car at the Nürburgring.

The same is predicted for the turbocharged 2.0-litre powertrain, which, like with previous facelifted Civic Type Rs, is expected to stick with its launch output. But with 316bhp on tap, it remains among the most potent cars of the class, outpunching the Mégane RS and i30N by 30bhp and 35bhp respectively.

Sb3 3335

Advertisement

Read our review

Car review

Honda’s hottest hatch yet is quick on a track - but just how well rounded is the new Civic Type R?

Back to top

Even the Volkswagen Golf R falls short of the Civic Type R by 20bhp, due to its recent power downgrade, following the fitment of new exhaust hardware to ensure the model conforms to the latest WLTP regulations. Honda is therefore unlikely to feel pressed into uprating its Civic's boosted four-pot.

Global production of the FK8 Civic Type R has been exclusively handled by Honda’s Swindon plant since it launched last year. The updated model will continue to be produced there.

Although the cars roll out of a British factory, right-hand-drive models are produced around a month after the first left-hand-drive variants due to greater global demand for the latter. This will remain the case when the updated car arrives next year.

More content:

Ford Fiesta ST UK review 2018

Suzuki Swift Sport long-term review

Join our WhatsApp community and be the first to read about the latest news and reviews wowing the car world. Our community is the best, easiest and most direct place to tap into the minds of Autocar, and if you join you’ll also be treated to unique WhatsApp content. You can leave at any time after joining - check our full privacy policy here.

Join the debate

Comments
13
Add a comment…
405line 18 July 2018

Body disguise looks good

Not certain why they needed to disguise the new body work, in fact they should leave them "disguising panels" in situ, it don't look to bad on this particular design, it does what it supposed to do and break up the lines....just what this car needs.

Peter Cavellini 18 July 2018

Active Aero.......

 Gone are the Days when a designer drew by hand a shape that flowed no creases no ducts no wings, today Cars performance isn’t just how much BHP a Car has its more how the Body is sculpted to maximise ground effect to push the Car onto the Road ,so mostly today’s Cars aren’t particularly pleasing on the Eye.....

si73 18 July 2018

I actually like the civic,

I actually like the civic, admittedly I'm not too keen on the black fake bumper vents but that wouldn't stop me buying one, the overall shape and proportions look good to my eyes. But then I have always preferred fastback type hatches to estate back types like the golf.