Honda Is Putting a CVT Into The Civic Type R, And No We're Not Joking
Grab your pitchforks, light some medieval torches and head to your nearest Honda dealer, because it looks like they’re about to fit a CVT transmission to the Civic Type R.
Initially reported by the likes of Autocar and Car in their printed editions about a week ago, before being picked up online, interviews with senior Honda/Civic Type R staff have revealed that as well as the standard six-speed manual, the engineers have kicked a dual-clutch option to the kerb in favour of – shock, horror – a CVT.
Not exactly famed for their wondrous driver involvement, you’ll find CVTs in the likes of the Toyota Prius and automatic versions of the Honda Jazz. Hmmmm, now there’s a couple of encouraging signs.
But, in theory at least, CVT transmissions are the most efficient way to get the most power to the wheels, most often. They enable the engine to stay at peak power and/or torque, and that could make them faster pretty much everywhere. Whether we like it or not, that matters to some buyers.
More specifically, it matters to buyers with lots of money to spend. There aren’t many manual gearboxes left in the world of widely-available high-end sports and supercars, because buyers want automatics, either through laziness or a desire for outright speed (at least on paper).
For proof of the CVT’s performance potential, Formula One went so far as to ban the technology over two decades ago, branding it an unfair advantage – and probably too boring to listen to.
Honda is claiming that the system will be optimised for low-end acceleration and could even shave a few seconds off the car’s Nurburgring lap time, suggesting that it’s going after the VW Golf GTI Clubsport S’s new record of 7mins 47.19sec.
That won’t solve the nagging issue of noise, though, and how Honda plans to get around the droning, mooing, God-awful racket CVT-equipped cars create. We’re all ears, Honda.
Comments
CVTs were hopelessly crap in the pages of history. Hope this one is good though.
Which is why they were banned from F1 for giving an unfair advantage… Of course.
Not every CVT is made by Nissan.
Place your bets, i imagine they plucked it from the Insights parts bin…
That’s the result when car buyer comparing cars with lap times number. Manufacture start to sacrifice fun factors to proceeds better nurburgring lap time nowadays
Honda CVT’s are great. Make you feel like a limo driver when your rolling around town, but when you put your foot in it… keeps the revs in V-Tec yo.
If they tune it right, and this is Type-R, it should be awesome.
Keep reading the comments though for all the people that have never driven a CVT and have all those recycled internet opinions to impart…
<EDIT> - Honda have confirmed the Type R will only come in manual form.
Thank you! I kinda like CVTs at times, you’ve always got maximum power any time you put your foot down, they don’t sound good, but at the same time you don’t really buy a Honda for its sound anyway.
It’ll be quick for sure, most people forget the CVT was invented for racing, and was incredibly successful until it was banned
Technologically you are absolutely right.
The Type R (and Civic Si) have long been about more than just raw speed though. They are great handling cars that require driver involvement and will still let you embarrass yourself if you don’t know how to manual very well. Currently, when you see one… you know it is manual just like the wrx family.
I recognize that the manual option is still available, but now you will have to actually look inside to see what it is like you have to do with so many other vehicles. And you won’t be able to just buy any old Type R without first checking the transmission.
I say all of this as someone who drives a Civic Si and has a CVT Subaru Forester at home for the wife. The CVT gives all the performance we need in that vehicle, but I just don’t like it in a performance application. In the end, it will mostly be about preference.
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I think a lot of enthusiasts would prefer a dual clutch auto
PREACH BRO! Honas lack that torquey sensation and linear power delivery.. But the new small turbo vtec engine of the new type-r is looking towards fixing that response gap.. It was a matter of time since they realized how well vtac and CVT work together… But don’t get me wrong.. There are good CVTs, and there are AWFUL CVTs.. Nothing inbetween.. If they get it just right, i’ll probably start admiring honda.. Because, having driven numerous vtec legends.. I must say that i am greatly disappointed by the vtec.. But have been blown away by gearboxes,building quality,and sparky cornering..
Matt Kimberley - Have you driven any newer Honda CVTs? There’s no drone unless you mean how there is no change of gear and the software is keeping it in the rev range it needs to be to keep on power. I’ve been driving one all summer and it’s lovely, particularly when some fool tries to beat you off the lights to cut across but… wait… no… they have to change gear ;)
Yeah, even my 1.2 Punto with CVT is so fast when going off the lights. My father in law in his Alfa 33 1.7 thought I was flooring my car as crazy to stay in front. But I was doing ‘just’ 3.5K revs
Simple explanation: instead of the usual brap brap brap it will be one single long braaaaaaaap.
Vtec everytime yo !
Just as i thought Honda wont F*ck up this time
If anyone, Honda would make a CVT good. I mean, their engines can handle over 1000 hp!
GOD DAMIT CT I WAS HAVING A GOOD DAY TODAY
Idgaf if my Honda Civic Type R is a CVT to keep it in peak power to beat lap times. The Civic Type R was never about the power wars or forced induction, even.
I want my Type R to handle like a 3 legged dog with infinite grip, a 5 or 6 speeder shifted by my own hand, and all the Vtec I can get.
The cvt in my accord coupe really isn’t bad at all. I was skeptical coming into it and tried my hardest to get a manual but the gearbox in this thing is great. I think if you drove this you wouldn’t hate the cvt as much. Now, I would still prefer a manual.