The New Honda Civic RS Is A Japan-Only Manual Hot Hatch

Think the new Civic Type R is a bit too much? Then this new Honda Civic RS hot-hatch might be a better fit for you…

Remember the sporty Honda Civic RS hatchback concept unveiled at the Tokyo Auto Salon (TAS) earlier this year? It turns out that Honda has transformed the hot-hatch concept into a production model, cordially known as the Honda Civic RS hatchback.

Based on the newly-facelifted 11th generation Honda Civic hatchback (chassis code: FL), this RS-badged hot hatch features some minor chassis tweaks and a manual gearbox to make it a stellar and more affordable alternative to the manic Honda Civic Type R FL5.

Visually, the new Civic RS looks identical to its concept twin shown prior, featuring redesigned front and rear bumpers we saw on the facelifted Civic FL in the US. Differentiating the RS model from the rest of the troop are the special RS emblems on both ends, the darker exterior trims, the functional dual tailpipes at the rear, as well as the 18-inch black wheels the car rides on.

To make the Civic RS look closer to its souped-up Type R twin, customers in Japan can opt for the hot-hatch with a slew of genuine accessories from the Honda Access catalogue. The accessories list goes from the large, Type R-inspired rear wing to aerodynamic bumper extensions, sporty lower bumper garnishes, and many more.

On board, the JDM Civic RS hot-hatch appears to get the same design treatment we’ve seen on the local-spec Civic RS model, with the main highlight being the addition of the red inserts and accents around the car. As part of the facelift equipment upgrade, the Civic RS also gets an updated 9-inch infotainment display that is now powered by Google Built-In software.

Setting apart the Civic RS hatchback is the present of a six-speed manual gearbox with a rev-matching system.

Putting aside the minor design changes, the biggest difference the new Civic RS harbours over other facelifted Civic variants lies in its powertrain setup, with the hot hatch coming standard with a six-speed manual gearbox.

Mated to the tried-and-tested 1.5-litre 4-cyl turbocharged VTEC engine rated at 180 HP and 240 NM, the Civic RS also benefits from a rev-matching system while riding on a sportier and stiffer suspension setup, promising a more exhilarating driving experience over its CVT-equipped siblings.

The all-new Honda Civic RS hatchback is slated to enter the Japanese market later in Sept this year, alongside the rest of the facelifted eleventh-generation Civic lineup. Pricing and detailed specifications on this JDM hot-hatch will be announced at a later date, but we can expect it to be more premium compared to other Civic variants.