Good news! Honda has announced an exceedingly cool addition to its hatchback line-up called the Civic RS. More good news! Said RS gets a six-speed manual transmission and sportier suspension. Now some bad news! It’s only being offered in Japan. Boo.
This JDM Civic RS (cool name, huh) is not an even harder-charging version of the Civic Type R. Instead, it’s one that’ll appeal to anyone old enough to remember the lovely Civic 2.0S from back in the day.
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It’s spun off Japan’s 1.5-liter VTEC Turbo four-cylinder petrol drivetrain that’s also available in EX and LX trims in Japan. It’s slightly more powerful than the sedan, producing 180hp (vs. 176hp) and 240Nm of torque (same as the four-door).
Doesn’t sound like much, until you remember 180hp is plenty to have fun in. That's mainly because this one gets a six-speed manual “with improved response” and a rev-matching feature.
Then comes a sportier, slightly lower and slightly stiffer RS-specific suspension setup, “designed to meet the customer’s driving preferences”. There are a few drive modes installed, RS badging around the car, a fetching black paintjob, and 18in aluminium wheels. Looks like… just the sort of warm hatch we need now.
It gets better, because to coincide with this new trim level, Honda Japan has also detailed a few accessories you can spec to make this 180bhp, four-cylinder manual hatch even cooler. One of which—specifically for the RS—is a new ‘wing type,’ um, rear wing.
Not just for show, either. It was designed for better aero not while flat out at the Fuji Speedway, but rather for an “aerodynamic effect that can be felt even at everyday speeds,” which apparently is “the keyword to Honda Access’s aerodynamic development.”
You’re already thinking ‘how do I import one of these,’ aren’t you?
NOTE: This story first appeared on TopGear.com. Minor edits have been made.
