AUTOS2020 Honda Civic Type RThe Detroit NewsCerberus at the Gates of Hell (Michigan). The 2020 Honda Civic Type R has a big mouth for better air flow as well as a telltale scoop on the hood.Henry Payne, The Detroit NewsThe 2020 Honda Civic Type R in its natural habitat — roaming the twisted roads of Hell, Michigan with excellent handling, power — and a fearsome visage.Henry Payne, The Detroit NewsDetroit News auto columnist Henry Payne took the 2020 Honda Civic Type R to Hell (Michigan) to play.Henry Payne, The Detroit NewsFor about $38,000, the 2020 Honda Civic Type R features a loaded interior of bolstered, red, carbon seats, Level 2 autonomous driving/adaptive cruise control, Alcantara steering wheel, dual-zone climate control, and more. Only blind-spot assist and heated seats are conspicuously missing.Henry Payne, The Detroit NewsR is for race. The 2020 Honda Civic Type R is instantly recognizable for its big rear wing — which will generate 66 pounds of downforce at 120-plus mpg for better high speed stability.Henry Payne, The Detroit NewsThe beast within. The 2020 Honda Civic Type R features a 2.0-liter turbo-4 with 306 horsepower and available torque throughout the 7,000 RPM rev range.Henry Payne, The Detroit NewsThe 2020 Honda Civic Type R is at home on twisty roads — like those found in Hell, Michigan — with its tight handling, limited slip differential and 306 horsepower.Henry Payne, The Detroit NewsNew for 2020. The 2020 Honda Civic Type R gains some minor tweaks like body-colored gills and 13 percent better grille area to feed the powerful engine within.Henry Payne, The Detroit NewsTake out. The 2020 Honda Civic Type R is small enough to maneuver in downtown Ann Arbor for a pickup sandwich (see bag on roof) at Zingerman's, yet roomy enough inside to eat on the fly.Henry Payne, The Detroit NewsHonda's excellent ergonomics are visible even in the wild red interior of the 2020 Honda Civic Type R. The console is configurable, and there is even hidden space for phone charging ahead of the shifter.Henry Payne, The Detroit NewsTake me away. The 2020 Honda Civic Type R features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto app compatibility for excellent navigation to the closest twisty roads.Henry Payne, The Detroit NewsThe 2020 Honda Civic Type R hatchback allows excellent utility — and the pullover shade is an ingenious, easy way to protect valuables in the back.Henry Payne, The Detroit NewsRad vs. past. The 2006 Honda Civic Si, left, and 2020 Honda Civic Type R contrast the Civic's evolution in styling.Henry Payne, The Detroit NewsThe 2020 Honda Civic Type R comes with three modes — Comfort, Sport and Race. Race is the most aggressive, with a throatier engine pitch, tightened ride, downshift rev match and dialed-back traction control.Henry Payne, The Detroit NewsAlong Doyle Road in Livingston County, the balanced, 306-horse 2020 Honda Civic Type R stuck to the road like Velcro.Henry Payne, The Detroit NewsThe 2020 Honda Civic Type R looks like a drawer-full of knives. The car is adorned with aero tweaks compared to the standard Civic.Henry Payne, The Detroit NewsThe 2020 Honda Civic Type R also comes with the roomiest rear seat in class so you can share your high-speed rollercoaster ride with passengers.Henry Payne, The Detroit NewsLike Cerberus, the three-headed hound from Hell, the 2020 Honda Civic Type R is recognizable by its three exhaust pipes.Henry Payne, The Detroit NewsThe unmistakable profile of the 2020 Honda Civic Type R outside the Hell Saloon in Hell, Michigan. The car is wider than the standard Civic, with bigger tires and significant suspension and steering upgrades, not to mention double the horsepower.Henry Payne, The Detroit NewsStandard on the 2020 Honda Civic Type R: bolstered red seats.Henry Payne, The Detroit NewsEasy driver. The 2020 Honda Civic Type R may be a driver's car, but it also has a Level 2 autonomous driving system with adaptive cruise control and lane keep assist for easy long-distance driving.Henry Payne, The Detroit NewsAbout 13,000 Type Rs have been sold. The 2020 Honda Civic Type R gets a console badge identifying its production number.Henry Payne, The Detroit NewsDetroit News auto critic Henry Payne is 6'5", but found the interior of the 2020 Honda Civic Type R a comfortable place to spend a day driving to Hell, Michigan and back.Henry Payne, The Detroit NewsReady to go. Sport is the default drive mode in the 2020 Honda Civic Type R.Henry Payne, The Detroit NewsSporty but useful. Unlike many performance cars, the 2020 Honda Civic Type R is obsessed with being a good daily driver. Clever storage abounds like this sub-cargo floor storage bin.Henry Payne, The Detroit NewsThe 2020 Honda Civic Type R gets two-piece rotors for better stopping ability. The car can stop from 70 mph in just 147 feet.Henry Payne, The Detroit NewsThe 2020 Honda Civic Type R features sticky, Continental Sport Contact 6 tires for better handling.Henry Payne, The Detroit NewsThe rear seats of the 2020 Honda Civic Type R can be flattened for more cargo room.Henry Payne, The Detroit News