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Type R

Car culture term

Type R
Photo: Calreyn88 / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0

What is Type R?

Honda performance designation for the most extreme variants of select models. The original NSX-R (1992), Integra Type R (1995), and Civic Type R lineage.

Type R (sometimes shortened to Type R, with the "R" standing for Racing) is Honda performance designation for the most extreme variants of select models. The first Type R was the 1992 NSX-R (NSX Type R), a track-focused, lightweight version of the original NSX. The Integra Type R (DC2 chassis, 1995-2001) followed and became one of the most respected front-wheel drive driver cars ever made. The Civic Type R lineage (EK9, EP3, FN2, FK2, FK8, FL5) extended the formula to the Civic platform.

Type R signature elements include lightweight construction (stripped interior, lightweight wheels, removed sound deadening), performance suspension tuning, distinctive styling (often Championship White paint, red badging, aggressive aerodynamics), and high-performance powertrains (typically the highest-output Honda engines available for the platform). The cars are typically homologation-related (built in limited quantities to meet racing specification requirements).

The current Civic Type R (FL5, 2023+) is the latest in the lineage. 320 horsepower from a turbocharged 2.0 four-cylinder, six-speed manual transmission, dramatic aerodynamics, and chassis tuning that has set Nürburgring lap records for FWD cars. The FL5 represents the modern peak of Type R engineering. Whether Honda continues the Type R lineage in electric vehicles remains to be seen.

Related terms

Mugen

Frequently asked questions

What is the most legendary Type R?
The Integra Type R DC2 (1995-2001) is widely considered the connoisseur Type R. The original NSX-R (1992) is the halo model. The Civic Type R EK9 (1997-2000, JDM-only) is the original Civic Type R and now a cult collector item. Different generations have devoted followings.
Why are Type Rs Championship White?
Honda Championship White paint is the traditional Type R color. The white paint references Honda Formula One racing heritage (Honda Formula One cars were typically white with red livery). Type Rs are also offered in other colors, but white is the iconic Type R color and the most associated with the lineage.
Is the Civic Type R fast?
Yes, very. The current FL5 Civic Type R makes 320 horsepower, runs 0-60 in around 5.0 seconds, and posted a 7:44 Nürburgring lap time, setting a new front-wheel drive record. The chassis dynamics and gearbox are widely praised. The Type R is considered one of the best modern hot hatches.
Is there an NSX Type R?
Two production Type R NSXs exist. The 1992 NSX-R (built only in 1992, 483 produced) was the original. The 2002 NSX-R (built 2002-2007, 140 produced) was a refresh of the formula on the second-generation NSX chassis. Both are highly collectible; clean examples sell for over $300,000 today.
Is the Acura Integra Type S the same as Type R?
The 2024+ Acura Integra Type S uses the same K20C1 turbocharged engine and chassis as the Civic Type R FL5. The badge differs (Type S, not Type R), and Acura tunes the suspension slightly differently. Whether it qualifies as a true Type R is debated; the engineering connection is undeniable.

Type R on the blog

Acura now sells more than 3,000 factory parts for the first NSX
Acura now sells more than 3,000 factory parts for the first NSX

Acura started selling more than 3,000 reproduction parts for the 1991 to 2005 NSX on November 2, through its dealers and Honda's DreamShop. It hasn't published a parts list or prices, and Honda's Japanese catalog is mostly mechanical so far.

Fabrizio Giugiaro redrew the Lamborghini Gallardo 28 years later
Fabrizio Giugiaro redrew the Lamborghini Gallardo 28 years later

Fabrizio Giugiaro unveiled the Hommage 26 in Las Vegas on October 31. It's a carbon-bodied rework of the Lamborghini Gallardo, built from a donor car, and CAVËN Atelier plans 25 of them from €900,000. Who drew the first Gallardo is still disputed.

Every Koenigsegg model in order, from six CC8S cars to the CCGT1
Every Koenigsegg model in order, from six CC8S cars to the CCGT1

Koenigsegg's road cars run from the six-car CC8S of 2002 to the CCGT1 of 2026. Here is every model in order, with production counts and engines from Koenigsegg itself, covering the CCX, Agera, One:1, Regera, Jesko, Gemera, CC850, and Sadair's Spear.

The Range Rover GT sits lower than any Range Rover before it, and the brand keeps calling it a car
The Range Rover GT sits lower than any Range Rover before it, and the brand keeps calling it a car

Range Rover posted a video on October 26 of the camouflaged GT finishing a test drive to the Nürburgring. It calls the electric GT its most aerodynamic model ever, with the lowest center of gravity of any Range Rover, and the video keeps calling it a car.

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