HONDA CELEBRATES 25 YEARS OF THE CIVIC TYPE R​

Honda’s iconic Civic is celebrating two anniversaries this year: 50 years of continuous production and 25 years of the high-performance, race-derived Type R variant, which rewrote the rulebook on what a hot hatch should be. One that can comfortably handle the daily commute from Monday to Friday, before tackling the circuit at weekends.​​

EK9 (1997-2000): An affordable, accessible Type R for all
The Type R nameplate can be traced back to the 1992 Honda NSX Type R, which raised the bar on performance. Applying the Type R philosophy to the Civic followed a similar engineering ethic offer an engaging, rewarding drive. The EK9 was offered to the Japanese market only and had a high-end specification; including a hand-ported 1.6-liter DOHC VTEC engine that produced a highly impressive 116bhp-per—litre. Launched to outstanding reviews, the EK9 set in motion the pursuit of the ultimate front-engine, front wheel drive performance hatchback.

EP3 (2001 – 2005) A European take on the Type R
As a result of the overwhelming success of the first-generation car, the second-generation was offered across Europe; thanks, in part, to now being manufactured in the United Kingdom. The new car introduced an all-new, and now iconic 2.0-liter DOHC i-VTEC ‘K’ series engine that redefined what a normally aspirated two-litre engine could do. It too featured uprated brakes, a precise, close-ratio six-speed transmission and a shell that made extensive use of high-tensile steel to increase torsional static rigidity.

FN2/ FD2 (2007-2011) Type R – two ways
The third generation Civic Type R was unique in that the European and Japanese models differed dramatically. Europe received the FN2-based hatchback, which retained the proven 2.0-liter engine, but introduced a new chassis that moved the fuel tank beneath the front seats to improve interior space and flexibility. Japanese customers were instead offered the FD2 saloon, which offered an even more focused driving experience thanks to additional items such as a more powerful K20A engine, a helical LSD and powerful Brembo brakes.

FK2 (2015-2017) Introducing the VTEC TurboA
As market and regulatory expectations shifted, the move toward turbocharging was inevitable. Honda engineers worked meticulously to develop the K20C1 turbocharged 2.0-liter engine that offered explosive performance thanks to a 310PS output. In order to better control that significant increase in power, Honda introduced its Dual Axis Strut Suspension paired with a limited-slip differential to counter the torque-steer encountered in high output front wheel drive cars. The FK2 proved a formidable base for a competition car.

FK8 (2017-2022) The Ultimate Sports hatchback
Arriving in 2017, the FK8 was the ultimate evolution of the Civic Type R. A significant evolution of the FK2, the new car gained a host of new mechanical features such as adaptive dampers, and further revisions to the engine to boost power to 320PS. The model also introduced downforce to the equation for an even more intense drive; the external aerodynamic package worked in unison with an advanced, almost flat underfloor, to actively contribute to negative lift.

FL5 (2022-) Ultimate Sports 2.0
Launching later this year, the all-new generation car further evolves, matures, and refines technologies that have been developed over several generations. Whilst new technologies and refined aerodynamics have helped set the bar higher once again, a clear lineage can be traced back to the FD2 generation with the incremental revisions resulting in the fastest, most rewarding and addictive Civic Type R ever built. Already the track record holder at Suzuka, the 2022 Civic Type R is a fitting way to celebrate 30 years of the Type R nameplate.