TUNNING

Arta Honda Civic Type R

The current Honda Civic Type R already stands out in the hot hatch segment, but one Japanese company has decided that “striking” isn’t quite enough.

As Carscoops reports, with a new aero body kit inspired by professional motorsport, they’ve moved the design into territory that blurs the line between street car and race machine.

The Arta GT kit, produced by Autobacs Seven, one of Japan’s largest auto parts retailers, will be limited to just 20 units and was created by the team behind the Arta Civic Type R Super GT 500 race car.

Visually, the changes start at the front, where a redesigned bumper and splitter are joined by a blacked-out grille. The flared wheel arches are ventilated by pronounced louvers, and there’s a new hood, with three functional vents.

The extended stance continues at the rear with flared arches and new side skirts. There's also a set of new wheels, a revised rear diffuser, and a high-rise swan-neck wing that sits above the hatch.

Finally, a new exhaust system completes the exterior transformation.

The modification features aerodynamic canards at each corner of the bumper, ventilated extensions in the wheel arches, and a hood with three functional openings. On the sides, the new skirts and flared wheel arches accentuate the vehicle's wider stance, providing an appearance that rivals racing cars like those in the GT3 category.

Finally, the addition of a new exhaust system and custom wheels completes the visual transformation that promises to be admirable both on the track and on the road. The package is finished off with a swan-neck rear wing, which is not only aesthetically pleasing but also improves the car's dynamics.

The modifications are rounded out by a new motorsport-inspired carbon fiber steering wheel, wrapped in Alcantara, with new buttons and switches.

Autobacs didn't limit itself to just the visuals; the modifications include significant improvements to the mechanics. A new intercooler and unspecified additional adjustments were applied to the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, increasing its performance and responsiveness. The original Brembo brakes were replaced with a high-performance system from AP Racing, accompanied by two-piece discs and large calipers.

Furthermore, suspension updates promise to further improve the handling of the Civic Type R, pushing the limits of drivability to new levels.

In addition to the bodywork, Autobacs is installing a new intercooler and mentioning additional, unspecified tweaks to the T2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. The factory Brembo brakes have been replaced with a high-performance AP Racing package with large black calipers. Suspension upgrades promise to further improve the car's handling.

Of course, exclusivity and extreme style come at a price. Pricing starts at 13.5 million yen, or roughly $85,600 before tax. That's more than double the standard price of the new Civic Type R in Japan.

Autonews