Engine Details of the 2013 Honda Civic Type R

The 2013-era Honda Civic Type R was developed around a 2.0-liter turbocharged DOHC i-VTEC inline-four (K20C series), marking the first time Honda equipped a Type R with a turbocharged engine; earlier Type R models used a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter i-VTEC four-cylinder. While a full production Civic Type R wasn’t sold in 2013, Honda publicly confirmed the turbo 2.0L direction that ultimately powered the 2015 production model.

Context: Why 2013 Is a Transitional Year for the Type R

Honda did not sell a mass-production Civic Type R in 2013. In Europe, the previous FN2-generation Civic Type R had been phased out earlier due to emissions regulations, and the next-generation Type R (later known as the FK2) was still in development. During 2013, Honda outlined its plan for the new Type R, emphasizing a shift to forced induction to achieve class-leading performance and meet modern efficiency targets. This is why the “2013 Civic Type R” is best understood as the development phase of the turbocharged K20C program that led to the 2015 FK2 Type R.

What Honda Announced About the Engine

In 2013, Honda disclosed that the next Civic Type R would be powered by a new, high-output, 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with direct injection and DOHC i-VTEC. This engine—part of the K20C family—represented a major pivot from the high-revving, naturally aspirated K-series engines that defined earlier Type R models.

Key Engine Characteristics

The following points summarize the engine’s core attributes as Honda framed them during the 2013 development period and as realized in the subsequent production model:

• Configuration: Inline-four, 2.0-liter displacement (K20C series)
• Induction: Turbocharged, with direct fuel injection
• Valve train: DOHC with i-VTEC (variable valve timing and lift)
• Fuel: Gasoline (petrol)
• Output trajectory: Targeted to be class-leading for a 2.0-liter FWD hot hatch; later delivered around 306 hp (310 PS) in the 2015 FK2 Type R production car

Taken together, these elements established the template for modern Type R performance—strong low- and mid-range torque from turbocharging, paired with Honda’s variable valve timing expertise.

How This Differs from Earlier Type R Engines

Previous Civic Type R models (such as the FN2 in Europe and the FD2 in Japan) were renowned for naturally aspirated, high-revving K20 engines (DOHC i-VTEC) that made their power at elevated RPMs without forced induction. The 2013 development shift to turbocharging was significant: it improved real-world drivability and emissions compliance while preserving the engaging character expected of a Type R.

Market and Model-Year Nuances

If you’re searching by “2013 Type R” in used listings or databases, you may encounter regional discrepancies. Europe did not have a production Civic Type R on sale in 2013; the turbocharged K20C-powered Type R arrived as the FK2 for model year 2015. Any reference to a “2013 Civic Type R” engine typically points to the announced specification for the forthcoming model—namely, the 2.0-liter turbocharged DOHC i-VTEC inline-four.

Summary

The 2013 Honda Civic Type R program centered on a 2.0-liter turbocharged, direct-injected DOHC i-VTEC inline-four from the K20C family—the first turbo engine in a Civic Type R. While no production Type R was sold in 2013, this engine architecture was finalized and launched in 2015, setting the performance and character for modern Type R models.

Which car has a K20C1 engine?

Honda’s K20C1, better known as the engine powering the venerable Civic Type-R, is a powerful turbocharged 2.0L engine.

Is type R 2.0 L4 turbo?

With a turbocharged and intercooled 2.0-liter VTEC® engine that delivers 315 horsepower* and 310 pound-feet of torque,* the Civic Type R is not only highly responsive, but also boasts an impressive power-weight ratio.

Which engine does the Civic Type R use?

The Civic Type R is powered by the same turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder as the previous-generation car, but a reworked turbocharger with a more efficient exhaust system increases output to 315 horsepower at 6500 rpm with 310 pound-feet of torque at 2600 to 4000 rpm.

Why is Civic Type R so fast?

How? For starters, there’s now a wider track and an elongated wheel base. With the 2.0-litre VTEC Turbo 4-cylinder engine coupled with a six-speed manual transmission, it’s not too surprising that the Civic Type R breathes power. Its peak output performance was at 306-HP and an impressive 400 NM of max torque.