2023 Honda Civic Type R sticks with manual gearbox: Next-gen Subaru WRX STI and Volkswagen Golf R rival to be offered with three pedals

Honda has confirmed it’s next-generation Civic Type R hot hatch will still be offered with a manual gearbox, as more competitors move to broadening their appeal with an automatic transmission.

Speaking about the 11th-generation Civic sedan in the US to CivicXI.com, a Honda US PR manager Car Pulley confirmed that the flagship Type R, as well as the warmed-over Si, will be available exclusively with a three-pedal transmission.

“We’re starting with the sedan, and the sedan doesn’t come with a manual, but the hatchback will be next, we’ll definitely have a manual transmission,” he said.

“We will definitely have an Si and, as traditionally it only comes with a manual transmission, that will be the case here.

“And for the super enthusiasts, yes, we will have a Civic Type R coming out, and again that will be manual transmission as well.”

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But that’s not all, because the latest rumours out of Japan indicate the next Civic Type R will score all-wheel-drive grip thanks to two electric motors that will drive the rear wheels.

That’s right, the next Honda Civic Type R could be the only manual, AWD hybrid hot hatch on the market.

Powering the front axle will be a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine (potentially a carryover of the current powertrain), with total outputs rumoured to be 294kW.

This would mean the new Civic Type R would outpunch the new VW Golf R and come close to topping the upcoming Subaru WRX STI, which output 235kW and 295kW (rumoured) respectively.

The new Civic Type R would also outclass the updated Hyundai i30 N and its up to 206kW/392Nm 2.0-litre engine, which will also soon be offered up with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission to broaden its appeal.

For reference, the current Honda Civic Type R produces 228kW/400Nm from its 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine, which drives the front wheels for a zero-to-100km/h acceleration time of just 5.7 seconds.

Though the 11th-generation Civic hatchback is yet to be revealed, let alone the flagship Type R variant, there are some clues as to what is in store thanks to the sedan version.

Honda Australia has opted to offer its new Civic range exclusively with the hatchback body style, citing slow sales of the sedan.

However, both should share similar cabins and styling from the C-pillar forward.

Therefore, you can expect to see either a 7.0- or 9.0-inch multimedia touchscreen with support for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, as well as a physical buttons and knobs to control the volume.

The air vents also look to be stretched the full width of the cabin for a unique dashboard design, while drivers are also treated to a 10.2-inch all-digital instrument cluster on some grades.

Production of the Australian-spec Honda Civic Type R has come out of Swindon, UK, but with Honda shuttering the facility in the wake of Brexit, it is currently unclear where the next version will be sourced.

Honda Australia has indicated it will move its sourcing away from Thailand after the move to a leaner, agency-style business model that will see it shed its dealer footprint around the country, but concrete details are still to be confirmed.