We need to talk about the new Honda Civic Type R
Join us on a guided tour of what makes the most powerful Civic Type R ever truly special...
Every time a new Honda Civic Type R comes along, its design draws controversy. When the FK8 generation car launched in 2017, with half the front end engulfed in a plasticky sea of fake vents, slack-jawed JDM fans praised the design for its boldness, but many others didn't want to be seen dead in it. For the new FL5 generation Honda appears to have listened to the latter crowd, with the next Civic Type R taking on a far more mature look. So of course now it’s being labelled as boring.
But you can never really appreciate the design of a car without getting up close and personal to the thing and PH was lucky enough to get a first-hand look at the new CTR just last week. And when you prod around the FL5 you start to notice just how muscular it is, while the fake vents of the old car have been swapped out for ones that actually, you know, work. The interior is wonderfully simple compared to the old car as well, plus there are some nods to the original EK9 such as the red seats and carpets. Good luck keeping those clean.
We now know some of the finer details, too. For example, Honda has used four times the amount of bonding on the chassis to boost rigidity, the wheels are an inch smaller than on its predecessor to reduce weight and they now come wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres for better grip. It even generates more downforce than its predecessor, partly thanks to a new lightweight rear wing and functional diffuser. The only downside? We aren’t able to get behind the wheel just yet, but WTCR driver and F1 legend (ok, he finished 3rd in the 2005 US GP) Tiago Monteiro gave us a hot lap around the Tazio Nuvolari circuit in Italy to show us what it’s capable of…
A-b in the uk it’ll be as quick as the above. While more fun.
You just don’t get that done people like development.
Drive the cars mentioned and real world there is nothing in them. Add in driving dynamics and the compromised Fwd car is well not as compromised as you would have thought.
I like the looks, like many have said the old one was too busy, too star wars. I prefer the cleaner look, the ride does look incredibly bouncy considering its on a smooth track, he is thrown around like a pair of knickers in a tumble dryer.
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