Honda Civic Type R
Introduced at the Vietnam Auto Show 2022, the Honda Civic Type R is a notable high-performance variant of the popular Honda Civic. However, it will not officially be available in Vietnam until 2023.
As the high-performance version of the Honda Civic, the Civic Type R has a price tag of 2,399 billion VND (approximately $104,207) and a limited distribution, according to Honda Vietnam. Due to this, the model has been eagerly anticipated by car enthusiasts in Vietnam, including Cuong Do La, who quickly added it to his collection of supercars.
Overall, the design of the Honda Civic Type R is relatively similar to the regular Civic. However, instead of the typical sedan design, the Type R features a rear end resembling that of a coupe. It also includes a large rear wing commonly seen on sports cars.
The Civic Type R is equipped with a turbocharged 2.0L engine, delivering a power output of up to 316 horsepower, compared to less than 200 horsepower on the regular commercial version. To enhance the sporty feel, the car does not feature an automatic transmission; instead, it is equipped with a 6-speed manual transmission and four driving modes.
In addition, the 6-speed manual transmission on the Civic Type R includes an automatic throttle blip technology, performing the “rev-matching” operation for the driver, providing a smooth shifting experience.
The total number of Honda Civic Type R units planned for the Vietnamese market is currently unknown. However, as of the end of 2023, 19 Civic Type R units have been delivered to customers.
Ford Ranger Raptor
Following the success of the previous model, Ford has introduced and made available the 2023 Ranger Raptor in Vietnam. It is currently the only high-performance pickup truck on the market.
According to Ford, the new generation Ranger Raptor was developed by Ford’s high-performance division specifically for off-road enthusiasts. The truck is dedicatedly designed with a combination of sophisticated and premium suspension system, intelligent technology, and an efficient Bi-Turbo 2.0L engine.
The high-performance Raptor variant features a reinforced frame and specifically designed to handle challenging off-road terrains at high speed. The body, cargo bed, and suspension system have been strengthened with additional rigid connections, while the front shock absorbers have been reinforced, and the upper A-arm mounting points have been adjusted.
The suspension system utilizes advanced FOX 2.5-inch shock absorbers with Position Sensitive Damping sensors, offering excellent performance on rough terrains. The FOX components have been fine-tuned and developed by Ford’s high-performance team through a combination of computer-aided design and real-world testing.
The 2023 Ford Ranger Raptor has a starting price of 1,299 billion VND (approximately $56,533) in Vietnam, which is higher than its predecessor by 97 million VND (approximately $4,206) and the Wildtrak variant by 334 million VND (approximately $14,507). As of the end of 2023, 1,506 Ranger Raptor units have been delivered to customers.
Hyundai Elantra N
The Hyundai Elantra N was unveiled in Vietnam in 2023, directly competing with the Honda Civic Type R. However, it has not yet been released for sale in the market.
Similar to the case of the Civic Type R, if the Type R variant is a completely different horizon compared to the regular Civic, the Elantra N is the same. The N variant is highly distinct from the regular Elantra.
The Elantra N is based on the 7th generation Elantra, featuring the N sub-brand’s distinctive exterior with enhanced aerodynamics. The notable design elements of the Elantra N include the front bumper, air intakes, and rear diffuser. It also features a bespoke paint scheme and lightweight 19-inch alloy wheels.
The most notable feature of the Elantra N is the upgraded 2.0L 4-cylinder turbocharged engine, producing 276 horsepower and paired with an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission. In N Grin Shift mode, the high-performance model can reach a power output of 285 horsepower and accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 5.3 seconds.
The Hyundai Elantra N is also equipped with an electronic limited-slip differential (e-LSD), N Corner Carving Differential, variable exhaust valve, and Launch Control system. The car is equipped with high-performance braking system, fine-tuned by Hyundai N Motorsport. The brake discs have a diameter of 360 mm, whereas the N-line variant has 305 mm discs and the standard Elantra has 280 mm discs.
According to the source, it is highly likely that the Elantra N will have a lower price than the Civic Type R.
In addition to the above-mentioned models, the luxury car segment has also seen the introduction of the Mercedes-AMG C43, a high-performance variant of the C-Class, which is assembled in Ho Chi Minh City.
According to the representatives of the car manufacturers, bringing high-performance models to the Vietnamese market at this time has significant meaning. Recent business statistics indicate the emergence of a group of customers interested in “playful” cars, expanding beyond basic transportation needs.
For the manufacturers, introducing iconic products to the Vietnamese market will help improve brand recognition and create a strong impact for their strategic products.
