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The Type-R was built to race on circuits and not just the drag strip, so enhancements have been made to the four-wheel double-wishbone suspension. The springs have been stiffened and the anti-roll bars upgraded. Ride height is also lowered, but not so low as to scrape every hump or driveway. The chassis is also reinforced at certain points to increase stiffness. There’s a carbon-fiber brace connecting the strut towers to reduce chassis flex even further. Indeed, the Type-R’s body and suspension are stiff enough that the car can stand on three wheels when cornered at racing speeds. Ride quality is unforgivingly harsh, but who cares? This is a racing machine, not a luxury cruiser. Cornering is flat and utterly stable; there’s nearly zero body roll even through the tightest of turns. The steering wheel is quite talkative about what the front tires are up to. Twist that wheel and there’s no lag in response. No matter how stiff the chassis is, running 207 bhp through the front wheels can wreak havoc with the steering, throwing the car into the hedge when you least expect it. To make sure the car stays pointed in the right direction, a helical limited-slip differential eliminates torque steer. The large four-wheel disc brakes taken from the mighty NSX are up to the task of scrubbing off repeatedly for an entire race distance. Pedal feel is firm and linear. The LSD and larger brakes increase the performance, but they do add to car’s weight. Many of the inner body panels are thicker to withstand the greater loads, and the suspension arms have been strengthened also. To compensate, the windshield is made of thinner glass, and the sound insulation has been tossed out. Another weight-saving measure is the carbon-fiber hood; you can lift it with one finger. These are upgrades that the corner tuning shop can’t perform. Clearly, the best tuner to do the job is the company that manufactured the car in the first place. Even with all those changes, this Civic can disappear into a queue of ordinary Civic hatchbacks. There's a front airdam, and rear and side skirts. A small spoiler is also attached to the top of the rear hatch. Discreet red "H" are at front and rear, and "Type R" badges are at the rear flanks. Those needing more attention need not apply, then. |
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