Honda Civic Type R

Civic Type R at a glance

EK9 (1997–2000): the Japanese original

Honda introduced the first Civic Type R on 19 August 1997. Its B16B engine had 1,595 cc and produced 136 kW (185 PS) at 8,200 rpm and 160 Nm at 7,500 rpm. That is 85 kW per litre without a turbocharger. A close-ratio five-speed gearbox drove the front wheels. Wikipedia EN gives the top speed as 225 km/h, and Wikipedia DE as 235 km/h. The German article lists 0–100 km/h in 6.8 seconds. Special versions were the Motor Sports of 1998 and the Type Rx of 1999. About 16,000 were built.

EP3 (2001–2005): made in Swindon

The second Type R was the first for Europe. Honda built it in Swindon, England, from 2001, with a facelift in 2003. European cars had the 2.0-litre K20A2 with 147 kW (200 PS) and 196 Nm, while Japanese models had 158 kW (215 PS) from the K20A. A close-ratio six-speed gearbox replaced the five-speed. The European car weighed 1,270 kg, reached 100 km/h in 6.8 seconds (6.6 after the facelift) and 235 km/h.

Production totalled 25,798 cars: 24,334 for Europe and 1,464 for Japan. Special editions included a 30th-anniversary model of 2003 (300 cars). The last cars of 2005 included 132 in Vivid Blue Pearl, all with left-hand drive.

FD2 and FN2 (2007–2010): saloon for Japan, hatch for Europe

The eighth-generation Civic was split into two Type Rs. Japan got the FD2 from 30 March 2007, the first Japanese Type R saloon. Its K20A had 165 kW (225 PS) at 8,000 rpm and 215 Nm at 6,100 rpm. A helical limited-slip differential was standard. Mugen built 300 of the Mugen RR with 177 kW (240 PS) and 1,255 kg. FD2 production ended in August 2010 because of new emission rules, after 14,062 cars.

Europe got the FN2 three-door from Swindon. Its K20Z4 produced 148 kW (201 PS) at 7,800 rpm and 193 Nm at 5,600 rpm. The car weighed 1,320 kg and reached 100 km/h in 6.6 seconds. Swindon built 29,039: 13,514 for the UK, 8,378 left-hand-drive cars for Europe, 3,510 for Japan and 2,285 for Australia. The engine did not meet the Euro 5 limits from 2011, so European production ended in October 2010. Europe then waited almost five years for the next Type R.

FK2 and FK8 (2015–2021): turbo and Nürburgring records

The FK2 of 2015 brought turbocharging. It was shown in Geneva in March 2015, and British deliveries began that July. Its 1,996 cc K20C1 produced 228 kW (310 PS) at 6,500 rpm and 400 Nm from 2,500 to 4,500 rpm. Honda built the engines in Anna, Ohio, and assembled the cars in Swindon. A development car lapped the Nürburgring Nordschleife in 7:50.63 in May 2014, a record for front-wheel-drive cars at the time. Only 750 FK2s went to Japan.

The FK8 followed in 2017 with the same engine, now rated at 235 kW (320 PS) in Europe and Japan and 228 kW (310 PS) elsewhere. It reached 100 km/h in 5.7 seconds and 272 km/h. On 3 April 2017 a pre-production car lapped the Nordschleife in 7:43.80, another front-wheel-drive record. The FK8 was the first Type R sold officially in the US and Canada, from 14 June 2017. A US Limited Edition of 2021 in Phoenix Yellow (600 cars) was 17 kg lighter. The FK8 was the last Type R from Swindon, which stopped building cars in 2021.

FL5 (since 2022): the last Type R for Europe

The current Type R was introduced on 20 July 2022 and is built in Yorii, Japan. In Europe it has 242 kW (329 PS) and 420 Nm; Wikipedia EN gives 243 kW (330 PS) for Japan and Europe and 235 kW (320 PS) for North America. Power goes through a six-speed manual to the front wheels on 265/30 R19 Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres. AUTO ZEITUNG quotes 5.4 seconds to 100 km/h and 275 km/h.

In March 2023 a Type R S lapped the Nordschleife in 7:44.881. The track layout used was about 200 m shorter than for the FK8's lap, and the time was about one second slower. TopGear.com named the FL5 its Car of the Year 2022. In Germany it cost from €58,900 in April 2024. In June 2025 Honda presented a 40-car Ultimate Edition in Championship White, which marked the end of European sales because of stricter emission standards.

Generations compared

From the EK9 to the FL5, output rose by 106 kW, or 78 percent, and torque by 260 Nm. Use our power converter for hp figures and the power-to-weight calculator for comparisons with rivals.

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