2020 Civic Type R range
All models in the newly expanded 2020 Honda Civic Type R line-up, including the existing Type R GT, receive a number of styling enhancements. The front bumper is revised with a smoother design, while the lower fog light surrounds feature a new symmetrical design incorporating smooth surfaces and sleek styling blades. Redesigned full LED headlight clusters and daytime running lights complete the cleaner styling direction that features across the Civic range.
A new larger air intake and thinner grille beam deliver a 13 percent larger opening.
Along with an updated radiator core, these improvements deliver a decrease in coolant temperature of up to 10 degrees (Honda internal testing) in high-demand situations, such
as on the track. In a testament to Type R engineers’ attention to detail, a small reduction in front downforce resulting from the new larger grille opening was countered by a redesigned front under-bumper air dam, which is now deeper and includes new ribbed sections on each end to divert air back onto the spoiler.
The suspension for the 2020 Civic Type R has also been updated for more responsive
and sharper handling. At the front, updated compliance bushings and new lower-friction ball joints result in sharper steering feel. At the rear, bushings for the lower B-arms have been stiffened for an eight percent improvement in lateral loads, resulting in better toe-in characteristics when cornering
For improved brake performance, the updated Civic Type R now features an upgraded braking system of two-piece floating front brake discs and new brake pads. This new front system reduces unsprung weight by 2.5kg to aid in handling response. The enhancements also improve thermal efficiency to reduce brake fade, increasing the car’s capabilities during repeated high-intensity driving, such as on the track. The brake pedal also now benefits from a more immediate feel with roughly 15mm less pedal travel.
Inside the vehicle, Honda has enhanced the usability of the infotainment and climate controls for all Civic models by adding physical buttons and dials. The addition of a new Alcantara®-wrapped steering wheel improves grip, whilst a new teardrop style gear knob, similar to previous Type R models, has been introduced and includes a 90g internal counterweight to help improve shift feel and accuracy. Also new for the 2020 model year is the addition of Active Sound Control (ASC) which features individual settings for Type R’s Sport, +R and Comfort driving modes. It works through the audio system’s speakers to enhance the engine sound during aggressive driving in Sport and +R modes and refines it in Comfort mode during acceleration.
Introducing Honda LogR
Making its debut in the 2020 Civic Type R is a new performance datalogger, known
as Honda LogR. Exclusive to Type R, the new system combines data from the onboard computer and sensors with a smartphone app to help drivers monitor and record a variety of performance parameters. It also helps improve driving skills both on and off the track through the use of a driving-smoothness algorithm. With access to the Type R’s onboard computer, Honda LogR can deliver much more detail than third-party performance logging apps.
Honda LogR features three main functions: a Performance Monitor, a Log Mode, and Auto Score Mode. The Performance Monitor provides vehicle information to the driver on the Display Audio screen while the app is functioning. Log Mode records lap times on the track, allowing drivers to improve their driving skills on the track. The Auto Score function encourages smoother day-to-day driving by monitoring braking, acceleration, steering, and straight-line driving, and generating an overall score based on the smoothness algorithm.
While driving, all interaction with Honda LogR is through the Display Audio screen. Log Mode and Auto Score both offer more in-depth analysis through the user’s smartphone including previous drives, performance traces and replays using Google maps, and detailed vehicle information.
When connected to an app-equipped smartphone, the Type R’s center screen displays
a Performance Monitor, which allows the driver to see key vehicle functions in real-time, including current gear, coolant and oil temperatures, oil and atmospheric pressures and engine intake air temperatures.
Drivers can also choose between a “G-Meter” view that indicates acceleration, braking,
and cornering on a “bowl” graph or a “3D” view that provides a bird’s-eye visual of the
car’s cornering, braking, and acceleration behavior.
Log Mode is designed to help drivers achieve the best possible lap times on the track. The program uses GPS to monitor and map the vehicle’s location and the car’s internal sensors to gather data on acceleration, braking, cornering G, and other parameters. The app encourages smooth, controlled driving through the use of a color-coded trace of each
lap. The goal is to encourage smooth inputs to the clutch, gear shift, steering, brakes and accelerator to keeping the car balanced, and thus improve overall driving skills, not just
the skills required for a particular track. Users can save their lap times to compare their improvement over time.
The Auto Score function operates whenever the Honda LogR app is in use, monitoring
the driver’s behavior over time by tracking inputs for acceleration, deceleration, turning,
and straight-line driving generating a score for each. A combination score of those four parameters is generated against the same expert driver baseline that is built into the app and used in the Log Mode function. However, the Auto Score encourages smoothness of inputs to help improve routine daily driving, rather than seeking faster lap times. Similar to the Log Mode, Auto Score also keeps a historical record that ties in with the GPS function
to show driving improvement over time.
