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Article Highlights:

  • The new Honda Civic Type R makes some noise
  • Big shoes to fill for the new Type R
  • Release details are scarce, if any

We’ve seen Honda not so sneakily testing the new 2023 Civic Type R at the Nurburgring before, so it’s not all that surprising to see it there again. However, now we get to hear the new Honda Civic Type R. But, well, not very well. Hey, it’s spy footage for a reason. But, we’ll take it. Details about the new model are scarce, and we’ll take any we can get.

The new Type R looks promising and fast

A red and white camouflaged Honda Civic Type R at the Nurburgring
The new Civic Type R all covered up ahead of its debut | Honda

If the last Type R was anything to go by, this new car will be fast with a capital “F,” because that letter is all you’ll hear as it goes by. However, the Nurburgring footage does look a little slow. Suppose Honda doesn’t want to bin their precious prototype ahead of the new car’s launch. The footage is great to look at, as it adds some dimension to the unflattering camo livery. Seeing the new car move and breathe definitely gives away some of the shape of the new car.

From what we can see, the new car gets the traditional Civic Type R fare. Wider fenders, aggressive rear wing, and those now-iconic tailpipes. And of course, some much larger and more aggressive wheels and tires, as well as a Type R-specific interior. It’s a little hard to make out, but the new car’s exhaust note is audible through the screaming tires. Honestly, it doesn’t sound like much. Then, the older Type R didn’t until you heard it in person. My money is on an extra level of muffling to prevent prying ears.

The 2023 Honda Civic Type R has big shoes to fill

A blue 2021 Civic Type R
The current Type R is a critically acclaimed hot hatch | Honda

Prototype aside, the new 2023 Honda Civic Type R has some awful big shoes to fill. The previous gen, though divisive in looks, is widely held to be, well, F*** amazing. It’s taken home multiple car of the year awards, and the shifter action is one that makes even the BMW M3 take note. Plus, hatchback practicality, though that’s already a certainty in the new car.

To put it lightly, Honda has to absolutely kill it with the new Type R. Clearly, the brand is headed in the right direction both dynamically and stylistically. Many hoped for a more toned down 2022 Honda Civic, and the new Honda Civic Type R follows suit. Of course, there’s also the Nurburgring testing, something the old model boasted.

You’ll have to wait till 2022 for the new Type R

The Nurburgring Nordschleife in Nurburg, Germany
The legendary Nurburgring Nordschleife | Xavier Bonilla via Getty Images

Unfortunately, we’ve got a little longer to wait on the new Type R. Since the launch of the Civic Si, Honda has gone pretty quiet in regard to the new model. Here’s hoping something shakes out during or after SEMA. Regardless, we can expect some news before the end of the year, if not an official release date.

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