- Doors and Seats
5 doors, 4 seats
- Engine
2.0T, 4 cyl.
- Engine Power
228kW, 400Nm
- Fuel
Petrol (95) 8.8L/100KM
- Manufacturer
FWD
- Transmission
Manual
- Warranty
5 Yr, Unltd KMs
- Ancap Safety
NA
2018 Honda Civic Type-R v Honda Civic TCR comparison review
Win on Sunday, sell on Monday.
It’s been a mantra for justifying motorsport since the beginning of competition. But it’s fallen by the wayside in recent years as modern touring car racing has become less of a sport and more a form of entertainment.
Look at modern Supercars racing; it’s never been more competitive and entertaining on-track but the cars they race can’t be found in the showroom. Holden no longer sells a V8-powered Commodore, the Ford Falcon has gone to the big car park in the sky and Nissan kicked the Altima out of its showroom.
Enter TCR, a relatively new global touring car category that has become one of the most successful in the world. It’s designed to bring touring car racing back to its roots by creating a stronger link between what you see on the racetrack and what you can buy in the showroom.
A new TCR Australia series will begin in 2019, with plans to run seven rounds on the Shannons Nationals bill.
TCR is designed around small hatchbacks and sedans and while manufacturers are allowed to modify the cars to make them race-ready, they must retain the same basic mechanical layout as the road-going version. So, for example, the Honda Civic TCR has to retain the same 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine and front-wheel drive layout as the Civic Type-R you can buy at your local Honda dealer.
To understand just how similar - and different - the two are Drive was able to sample the new Honda Civic TCR racer at Sydney Motorsport Park during this week’s official TCR Australia launch.
How do they compare on price?
One of the keys to the rapid growth and success of TCR (it has eight manufacturers committed for 2019) is its tight cost containment.
Cars are capped at approximately $200,000, which is obviously a lot more than the $51,990 road-going Civic Type R, but it’s actually a sharp price for what is a precision-built racing car.
That money buys you the same touring car you can race in one of 20-odd series around the world.
The Honda is built by Italian racing outfit J.A.S. Motorsport which is the Japanese brand's longtime European racing partner having been involved with the Honda World Touring Car program under the previous rules as well as the NSX GT3 project.
Ironically the optional wheels for the Type R cost more than the racing-spec rims used on the TCR Civic. A set of the 20-inch white forged alloy wheels will set you back $13,999 while the 18-inch OZ Racing wheels used on the race car only cost $1380 per set.
What are they like inside?
The interior of the Type R road car is an excellent place to be with comfortable, supportive sports seats that embrace you and good adjustment on the steering wheel that allows you to find your ideal driving position. You can turn on the stereo and air-conditioning too, plug in your phone and carry a coffee - or two - in secure cup holders.
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There’s none of that in the Civic TCR. Everything non-essential to going fast is thrown away in the search for maximum performance. It means the cabin is relatively Spartan, with exposed metal all around, interrupted by wires and other performance-related pieces.
One of the most notable differences for the driver is the steering wheel. In the Type-R there a few buttons for the stereo and cruise control as well as a large space for the airbag. But on the TCR there is a variety of brightly coloured buttons to help the driver keep their hands on the wheel at all times. These buttons include the pitlane speed limiter, wipers, radio, drink, lights and ones to scroll through the pages on the small digital readout mounted just above the steering column.
Which is the safest car?
The Civic TCR misses out on the Type R’s airbags, autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning and active cruise control. Even without those safety aids the TCR feels perfectly safe thanks to its racing rollcage, seat and multi-point harness.
In fact, climbing aboard the TCR is an exercise is contortion as you have to avoid the relatively narrow opening in the ‘cage and fall into the body-hugging seat. Once ensconced, the harness grabs you tightly in every direction to try and stop any movement amid the violent forces you experience on the track.
How much do they cost to maintain?
TCR running costs are believed to be in the region of $5 per kilometre, which isn’t cheap but in the high cost world of motorsport is good value.
In contrast Honda Australia charges $307 for a service every 10,000km.
What do they have under the bonnet?
Both cars are powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine and while the TCR is tuned to withstand the rigours of competition it isn’t significantly more powerful.
The race-sped Civic pumps out 250kW and 420Nm compared to 228kW and 400Nm in the road-going version.
On the track it obviously feels quicker because the race car is lighter than the regular Type-R but it doesn’t feel overwhelmingly powerful. What does feel very different is the throttle response, as the pedal is tuned for maximum sensitivity so even the slightest prod makes the engine bark.
There’s a hint of torque-steer under hard acceleration onto the straight but otherwise the 10-inch wide slick racing tyres help transmit the power to the track with minimal fuss.
One major difference between the two car’s powertrains is the transmission, with the TCR version using a race-spec paddle shift setup instead of the H-pattern manual. It’s a dream to use, especially for the novice race car pilot such as this road tester.
Once you get off the mark you don’t need to use the clutch again, simply pull whichever paddle you need - left for down gears and the right to go up. You don’t have to lift off the throttle under acceleration either as the engine is tuned to allow for flat-shifts so you can keep your right foot buried.
Which is the most economical car?
The standard Type R uses 8.8-litres per 100km but there’s no official figure for the TCR version as it obviously doesn’t have to conform to the same regulations as the road car.
Which is the best car to drive?
The Civic Type-R is without question one of the finest hot hatches on the market today - and arguably one of the best ever, as evidenced by its claim to be the fastest front-wheel drive car to lap the fearsome Nurburgring circuit in Germany. It takes the hot hatch experience to new heights with its power, balance and sense of engagement.
The TCR car is on another level though. Every element of the handling has been honed for the racetrack, free from the compromises of daily road use the Type-R is saddled with.
Modifications allowed by the rules include bigger 380mm steel brake rotors clamped by six-piston calipers. The suspension has also been upgraded with Ohlins racing dampers front and rear. Then there’s the tyres, slick track-only Michelin rubber wrapped around the previously mentioned OZ Racing rims.
Like the throttle, the steering feels more responsive than the road car, allowing you to position the TCR Civic with precision even when you push it hard. In fact, the TCR cars need to be worked hard to get the best out of them because the tyres need heat to work at the optimum - as do the brakes.
The new stopping hardware certainly does the job but because the TCR has a racing grade pedal box with no power assistance you really need to stomp on the middle pedal with a lot of force.
To help assess the TCR at its limits, Drive drafted in professional racer and current Sydney Motorsport Park lap record holder, Barton Mawer. The Sydney-based privateer driver has competed in both open-wheelers and GT3 competition so is well placed to judge the performance of the TCR Civic.
“I thought it was quite fun, actually; it was nimble and direct,” Mawer said. “It didn’t have a lot of the typical traits of a front-wheel drive car - torque steer, well not much, and understeer... there’s definitely no understeer.”
Mawer also gave his opinion on how the Honda would fare in a field of closely-matched TCR machines.
“They’ve got a nice balance and they’re not aero dependant so you can literally be sitting on someone’s bumper bar.”
Any problems I should look out for?
The challenge TCR Australia faces is drumming up enough support to fill the grid for the inaugural season. So far there are only four TCR cars in the country - the Honda, an Hyundai i30 N, a Volkswagen Golf and an Audi RS3 sedan. At least one other Hyundai has been ordered and is on the way.
But the Honda is on loan to TCR Australia from J.A.S. Motorsport in the hope a local driver or team will buy it while it’s down under. Even if it is snapped up that’s still only five cars which isn’t enough to make up an exciting field.
Local organisers are trying to get some well-known drivers involved and joining Drive at the Sydney test day were the likes of Supercar drivers Chaz Mostert, James Moffat and Luke Youlden.
“I think a pro or semi-pro driver will take the slight backwards step in performance for good quality racing,” said Mawer.
Mawer conceded the Australian racing landscape is getting crowded but the clear connection between the road and race car gives TCR a unique appeal.
He said: “It’s a small hole in the market they’re trying to jam themselves into. But look at it next to the road car, it’s clearly a sister car, isn’t it?”
Which one should I buy?
The regular Type R is a lot cheaper, can be driven on the road and is a lot of fun on a racetrack.
But if I had a spare $200k lying around I’d certainly be interested in the TCR Civic. It’s an awesome machine to drive, blending elements of the road car with serious track pedigree and technology.
2018 Honda Civic Type R price and specifications
Price: From $51,990 plus on-road costs
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol
Power: 228kW
Torque: 400Nm
Transmission: Six-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Fuel use: 8.8L/100km
2018 Honda Civic TCR price and specifications
Price: From $204,000
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol
Power: 250kW
Torque: 420Nm
Transmission: Six-speed semi-automatic paddle-shift, front-wheel drive
Fuel use: N/A