New Honda Civic Type Rs are starting to reach their new owners, many of whom are likely automotive enthusiasts eager to enhance these sporty vehicles into powerful machines. Fortunately, there’s promising news regarding their horsepower, as one tuner in Puerto Rico recently shared their dyno findings on Facebook.
With a robust 306-horsepower, 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, the Civic Type R poses a serious challenge to rivals like the Ford Focus RS and Volkswagen Golf R, even though it only drives its front wheels. The advantage here is that the Type R experiences less overall power loss when translating horsepower to the wheels. This reduction in power loss is due to its drivetrain configuration. Known as drivetrain loss, this term refers to the mechanical energy required to transfer power from the engine’s crankshaft to the wheels. More components, such as those in all-wheel-drive systems like those in the Focus RS and Golf R, typically lead to higher drivetrain loss.
When dealerships provide performance numbers for a vehicle, they usually refer to the horsepower and torque generated while the engine is stationary on a stand. The figures advertised in brochures typically reflect the power output at the crankshaft, without accounting for drivetrain losses. Surprisingly, when a new Type R owner put their vehicle on the dyno, the reported 306 hp was quite close to the actual figure. The result showed 295 hp, indicating less than a 4 percent loss compared to the advertised specifications.
There is considerable discussion about the varying numbers produced by different dynos. Notably, the Dynojet model (the one referenced in the Facebook graph) is often believed to register higher figures than other dynos on the market. Therefore, it might be best to reserve judgment on the accuracy until more dyno results are available online. In the meantime, you can enjoy watching the car in action on the dyno in the video below.
For those who haven’t secured a Type R yet, it’s advisable to avoid paying more than the manufacturer’s suggested price of $33,900, as some dealerships have already begun imposing markups. With its aggressive styling and sporty spoiler, this vehicle is sure to evoke a sense of excitement and nostalgia.
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