The 2018 Honda Civic Type R will arrive here in October priced from $50,990+ORC with just one variant available… Europe gets two variants.

THE HONDA CIVIC TYPE R already has 250 orders with a further 5000 registering for more information, and it doesn’t arrive here until October. Practical Motoring was the first Australian outlet to get behind the wheel of the new Civic Type R, read what our Paul Horrell had to say about it.

While Europe will have access to two Civic Type packages, Australia will get just one “feature-packed” variant, said Honda, with standard equipment being a 228 kW 2.0 VTEC Turbo engine, six-speed manual transmission with rev-matching function, adaptive dampers with three driving modes, Brembo brake package, 20-inch alloys, and the Honda Sensing safety suite.

“Type R is the ultimate expression of Honda putting the enthusiast at the centre of everything it does. So it was very important for Honda Australia to bring the famed Type R name back with the all-new Civic Type R,” Honda Australia Director, Mr. Stephen Collins said.

“As a record-holder around the Nürburgring Nordschleife, it’s clearly the fastest, most dynamic Type R model ever sold in Australia. Enthusiasts across the country are going to absolutely love it.

“Honda is renowned for pushing the boundaries of engineering and technology, so it’s great that Honda Australia can offer another cutting-edge performance car in Civic Type R, to sit alongside the pioneering NSX hybrid supercar.”

“It’s the fundamental strength of the all-new Honda Civic platform, which enables Type R to achieve such remarkable performance,” Collins said. “There’s a depth of engineering within the Type R chassis that shows Honda at its best.”

For Australia, the 2.0-litre VTEC Turbo develops 228 kW at 6500 rpm and 400 Nm between 2500-4500 rpm, using 95 RON fuel.

The Honda Civic Type R features with three driving modes: Comfort, Sport (default) and +R. The driver- selectable modes adjust steering and throttle response, transmission rev-matching, Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) threshold, and Adaptive Damper System. “You really have to experience Comfort, Sport and R+ drive modes to understand the breadth of what this Civic Type R is capable of … it will surprise a lot of people,” Collins said.

“We’ve also added the full Honda Sensing suite as standard which brings AEB capability, the convenience of adaptive cruise control, plus a whole lot more. And being a Honda, Type R introduces an innovative third exhaust pipe designed to cut noise to the cabin at cruise on the highway.”

The hero colour for the all-new Honda Civic Type R will be the iconic Championship White premium paint, however, customers will also have the choice of Rally Red (flat), two pearlescent colours in Crystal Black or Sonic Grey, plus a metallic Brilliant Sporty Blue. Premium, metallic and pearlescent paint can be specified for an additional cost of $575