Honda continues updating its Civic model range worldwide, and customers in Japan are particularly lucky to get a version called RS, complete with upgraded suspension and manual transmission.
The company first announced the RS at the Tokyo Auto Salon in the beginning of the year, positioning it between the entry-level Civic and the maxed-out Type R. To that end, the Civic RS won’t look much different from stock with its mildly updated front bumper, 18-inch black wheels, a blackout package for the exterior and red accents for the cabin.
Things do get more interesting under the metal, however. The suspension benefits from new, stiffer shocks and shorter springs, the front brakes become larger, and the steering mechanism gets overhauled.
This version will ship with a 1.5-liter turbo four-pot dialed in to 183 PS (181 hp / 136 kW) and 240 Nm (177 lb-ft) of torque. The standard Civic can be optioned with this engine and a CVT, but the RS goes strictly six-speed manual. It benefits from a lightweight flywheel and speed-matching when changing gears. New drive presets called Sport and Individual should help with the involvement, too.
All prices will be announced in the fall when the sales begin.
