What is the use of the third exhaust outlet on the Honda Civic Type R?

As you know, those of you who follow us on social media Twitter, Facebook e Instagram, during the last few days we have gathered several sports compacts to compare their behaviors and approaches, squeezing them thoroughly. The fact is that many of you have asked us why the Honda Civic Type R has three exhaust outlets, the central one being noticeably smaller than the other two.

Many of you will think that it is only about drawing, even more, attention to your rear. Do you think the huge bar-style spoiler, the design of its pilot lights or the very marked lower diffuser do not seem to you? The Honda Civic Type R is probably the more aggressive compact at the design level of the entire market. It is true that the triple exhaust outlet is visually striking, but the most important thing is not its aesthetics, but its function. Everything has its explanation, and I'm going to tell you.

The powerful 2.0 VTEC Turbo engine of this new generation of the Honda Civic Type R, which was presented a year ago at the Geneva Motor Show, develops 320 hp and 400 Nm of torque. Its sound is forceful and remarkable, being clearly identifiable as a supercharged model from the outside when it accelerates without mercy. In any case, I can't resist saying that it lacks the occasional gurgling and backfiring when we lift the gas at high revs.

The double reason for the triple exhaust outlet of the Honda Civic Type R

But getting to the point, Honda claims that the real reasons for its central exhaust outlet are improve and modulate the sound produced by the VTEC Turbo mechanics. And it is that, today, whoever is looking for a sports model like this one, wants emotion and high sensations, but also wants to be able to use it daily in total comfort. A few years ago, a trip with a sports car meant arriving at the destination with severe back pain, but also with a headache due to the constant serious noise.

As the driver accelerates convincingly, this smaller exhaust tail behaves like any other outlet of any vehicle on the market, that is, the same as the two side ones; expelling the gases from the engine, but giving a greater sound to the vehicle to make its presence known hundreds of meters away. Apparently, this model generates 2 decibels more than its predecessor.

However, with average loads of accelerator, for example, at cruising speed on the highway or in any other circumstance in which we can circulate practically using very little energy than it is capable of delivering, it stops working as such and moves on to its second function: reduce exhaust sound. It is not that it simply stops expelling gases -and therefore noise-, but rather that it absorbs ambient air.

And why does it absorb air if it is an exhaust outlet?

The Japanese firm has not wanted to resort to butterflies and other relatively complex systems to vary the tone and volume of this Honda Civic Type R; Nor has it been considered that of simulating sound through the speakers as other companies do. It has been opted for physics and fluid mechanics, has opted for something more “natural”. At low loads, were it not for this third exit and its careful design, the resonant sound of the exhaust could be excessive for the occupants of the Type R; something that would make it uncomfortable for long trips or for daily use.

In this way they solve it, making the Japanese sports compact can be more comfortable and less conspicuousAt least at the sound level. In any case, although it is not excessive, the mechanics are still noticeable in the passenger compartment at cruises of 120 km/h, much more than in a León Cupra or a Hyundai i30 N, to name just two other sports compacts.