Overview
Like the 2017 Civic Hatchback LX upon which it is based, the new Civic Type R incorporates numerous active safety, passive safety and driver-assistive features. The Type R earned a 5-star Overall Vehicle Score from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Active safety features include Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®), Advanced 4-Channel ABS, Electronic Brake Distribution (EDB), Brake Assist, LED daytime running lights, headlights and fog lights, a multi-angle rearview camera with guidelines, and an Indirect Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).
Passive safety begins with advanced unibody engineering and construction, which, like the Civic Hatchback, includes the most high-strength steel (61 percent) in model history. An Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure and energy-dispersing crash stroke front frame rails are employed, and additional passive-safety features include dual-stage, multiple-threshold front airbags, front side airbags, and side curtain airbags with rollover sensor.
Key Safety Driver Assistance Features
- Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure with crash stroke design
- Hot-stamped ultra-high-strength steel door rings and sills
- Multi-Angle Rearview Camera
- Expanded View Driver’s Mirror
- Seatbelts with Crash Locking Tongue
- Indirect Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) Body Structure
Honda’s Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body-structure enhances occupant protection and crash compatibility in frontal collisions by distributing crash energy more evenly throughout the front of the vehicle. (See the Body Exterior section for more information.)
Pedestrian Injury Mitigation Design
Structures in the front of the Civic Type R are designed to help absorb energy in the event of a collision with a pedestrian. Research by Honda shows that the following features can dramatically improve a pedestrian’s chance of survival if struck by a moving vehicle.
Specific pedestrian head injury mitigation features include:
- Hood is designed to deform if contact is made with either an adult or a child pedestrian
- Sufficient clearance exists between the hood and hard engine parts, allowing the hood to deform if impacted by a pedestrian
- Windshield base has a unique section structure for efficient impact energy absorption
- Energy-absorbing fender mounts and supports
- Breakaway windshield wiper pivots
- Deformable hood hinges
Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®)
Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®) is an Electronic Stability Control system that works in conjunction with the Drive-by-Wire™ throttle and 4-channel ABS systems to enhance control capability while the vehicle is accelerating, braking, cornering or when the driver makes a sudden maneuver. VSA functions by applying brake force to one or more wheels independently while also managing the throttle, ignition and fuel systems to help the vehicle maintain the driver’s intended path of travel.
The VSA system constantly analyzes data from sensors that monitor wheel speed, steering input, lateral and longitudinal G forces and yaw rate. It compares the driver’s control inputs with the vehicle’s actual response. Whenever the actual response falls outside of a predetermined acceptable range, VSA intervenes with a corrective action. For instance, if VSA detects an oversteer condition, the system may apply braking force to the outside front and rear wheels to counteract the unintended yawing effect. In the event of understeer, VSA may apply braking to the inside wheels while reducing engine power to help return the vehicle to its intended course.
VSA also provides a limited-slip differential effect for the front wheels by applying braking force to a slipping wheel, thereby redirecting driving force to the wheel with more traction. VSA is calibrated to function in a near-transparent manner, and in many cases the driver will not even be aware of its operation. However, anytime the system is enhancing vehicle stability, an indicator light flashes in the instrument cluster. While the driver can reduce the traction control effectiveness allowing more wheel slip during stuck condition by pressing the VSA button, ABS remains fully operational at all times. (See the Chassis section for more information.) In the Civic Type R, the VSA algorithms automatically adjust when the driver selects the Comfort, Sport or +R drive modes. In +R mode, the driver can choose to switch off VSA. (See the Powertrain and Chassis sections for more information.)
Brake Assist
A function of the VSA system, Brake Assist recognizes emergency or hard braking situations and almost instantly applies added braking force to ensure maximum stopping force, an action that can help shorten braking distance.
Advanced 4-Channel ABS with Electronic Brake Distribution
Like other Civic models, the Civic Type R is fitted with 4-wheel disc brakes with 4-channel anti-lock braking (ABS). The ABS system also incorporates Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD) circuitry that automatically proportions front-to-rear brake force based on the dynamic load on each wheel. Large front brake disc dimensions and a large master cylinder provide excellent stopping performance and pedal feel. (See the Chassis section for more information.)
Seatbelts
Three-point seatbelts are standard for all seating positions. The front seatbelts are equipped with pyrotechnic pre-tensioners and load-limiting retractors to help mitigate injuries in a frontal collision.
Advanced Front Airbags
Both the driver and front passenger are protected by advanced front airbags (SRS). Like other Honda vehicles, the driver’s front airbag is located in the steering wheel while the passenger airbag is located on the top of the instrument panel. When deployed, the passenger airbag inflates upward and then rearward to maximize its protective potential while reducing the likelihood of injuries caused by airbag deployment.
Driver s Spiral Airbag
The Civic Type R incorporates spiral stitching into the driver s front airbag. The spiral nature of the airbag promotes early restraint and maintains a constant pressure by reducing volume early and maximizing volume later in deployment.
Front Passenger s Safety Vent Airbag
The passenger s front airbag in the Civic Type R features a safety vent system that increases safety for the front passenger in a frontal collision involving an airbag deployment. If the passenger is sitting “out of position” – such as leaning forward in the pathway of the airbag deployment – the auxiliary vents remain open, directing a significant amount of gas out and away from the occupant. As a result, the potential for injury from the airbag striking an out-of-position passenger is reduced. However, if the passenger is correctly seated, the airbag has an internal tether that will close the auxiliary vents at the necessary time to provide optimal occupant restraint.
Driver and Front Passenger Side Airbags
Side airbags mounted in the outboard area of each front seatback are designed to help provide pelvic and thorax protection for the driver and front passenger in the event of a severe side impact. In the Civic Type R, the side airbags deploy in a manner that helps mitigate the risk of injury to a smaller seat occupant.
Side Curtain Airbags
All outboard seating positions are protected by side curtain airbags with a rollover sensor system. In the event of a severe side impact, the side curtain airbags deploy from modules in the roof, providing a significant level of head protection in the window area. In the unlikely event of a rollover, a roll-rate sensor along with multiple G sensors trigger airbag deployment. The side curtain airbags will also deploy and provide head protection in frontal impacts as necessary. For example, small overlap impacts, where the front corner of the vehicle collides with a solid object.
In the case of a rollover, the side curtain airbags on both sides of the vehicle will deploy. However, in the event of a sufficient side impact that does not result in a rollover, only the airbags on the impacted side of the vehicle will deploy. The airbag maintains full inflation for approximately six seconds after inflation to allow for the increased duration of a rollover accident.
Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren (LATCH)
Both of the second-row outboard seating positions in the Civic Type R are equipped with the LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) child seat-mounting system. Tether anchors are provided the remaining middle seating position.
Indirect Tire Pressure Monitoring System
The Civic Type R s indirect Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) uses wheel-speed data collected by the ABS system to determine when the air pressure in one tire drops below the recommended minimum. When this occurs, a symbol illuminates on the instrument panel to warn the driver.
Multi-Angle Rearview Camera
All 2015 and newer Honda models, including the 2017 Civic Type R, incorporate a multi-angle rearview camera. The camera can show a top view, normal or wide view when the transmission is in Reverse, based on the driver s selection. The camera display is viewable on the 7-inch color Display Audio touchscreen. Additionally, the Type R features static guidelines that help the driver better judge distances.
Safety and Driver Assistance Features
(See the Specifications Features document for all data.)