Honda Civic Type R Sport Line (FK8) | Spotted
The almost acceptable face of Type R motoring, yours for £15k less than a new one...
Honda’s recent Civic Type R strategy has often looked curious to the point of downright odd. The first turbo car, the FK2, was teased for so long (while various Meganes, Astras and Focuses were most definitely available) that it ended up being around for less than two years. It was one of the best hot hatches on offer for that time, sure, but it’s hard not to think what might have been for that car given some proper exposure. Similarly today, the FL5 is one of the best performance cars - let alone mere hot hatches - to reach production… but you can’t get one. Unless your allocation is guaranteed or you’re prepared to pay £50k+.
Honda’s bizarre approach was in evidence with the old FK8 as well. Seldom has the styling of a hot hatch proved so divisive, those who admired the all-guns-blazing approach were outnumbered by those who felt the look was a bit OTT for what was ultimately a five-door Civic costing £35k. It would have to do grown-up activities as well as scallywag ones, and for those jobs the Type R wasn’t ideally suited. Didn’t help, either, that many of the add-ons Honda assured everybody were absolutely necessary didn’t look all that vital. We shouldn’t necessarily buy cars on how they look and what they make others think of us, but we do - and the suspicion was the FK8 might have missed out on more than a few buyers by being so overt.
The Sport Line should have been the solution, with a more modest aero set up, smaller wheels and black seats in place of the trademark Type R red chairs. Only it arrived in 2020, with the Minor Model Change facelift, when it should have been there from the get-go. Nobody could have predicted what that year would have been like for cars, but between that and Honda not making much fuss about it - launched with the Limited and the updated GT - HowManyLeft reckons there are fewer than 150 of them on UK roads, against thousands of standard cars.
Finding one will take some effort, basically, but a Sport Line is worth seeking out. The smaller wheels meant a smoother ride and better steering, but keeping the same tyre width meant traction was unaffected; going without the spoiler definitely brought less unwelcome attention; and the seats were still fantastic, even in the wrong colour. There was always an argument to say that a Civic Type R should be as mad as a box of frogs because that was what the car was about (go buy a Golf if you want a sensible hot hatch etc etc) but the Sport Line was incredibly persuasive. It offered up all the positive attributes of the FK8 experience - mighty powertrain, unflappable chassis - in a subtler package. For less money, too.
The appeal certainly hasn’t waned with the arrival of a new Civic Type R. Even with what might be called more cohesive styling, you won’t go unnoticed in an FL5. And perhaps more importantly, you’ll do well to find one for less than £50,000; the initial hype may have died down somewhat (£55,000 was the highest we saw), though none are yet below list price. So to find a car with just 10hp less for more than £15k less…
No, really, that’s the difference. The cheapest new Civic Type R on PH is £48,990, and this Sport Line is £33,475. Obviously, it has more miles on it (15k) and the interior of the latest model is improved, but that’s still a chunky saving. For a car that, let’s not forget, was the class of its field for every year it was on sale, and will still be superb to drive. The ad is high on word count and low on detail, but there are still four Michelins visible (check the life of the fronts, they can wear quickly!), a Mugen gearknob added and just the lightest signs of wear now showing on the wheel and seat. It’s not new but it’s not far off, basically. All that’s left for the next owner to do is get rid of the Type R badges, and nobody will be any the wiser…
SPECIFICATION | HONDA CIVIC TYPE R SPORT LINE
Engine: 1,996cc, 4-cyl turbocharged
Transmission: 6-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Power (hp): 320@6,500rpm
Torque (lb ft): 295@2,500-4,500rpm
0-62mph: 5.8sec
Top speed: 169mph
MPG: 33.2 (WLTP)
CO2: 193g/km
Year registered: 2021
Recorded mileage: 15,051
Price new: £35,400
Yours for: £33,475
Still with the 20" wheels, with 27mm spacers, no pinstripe would look good
Unfortunately, looks wise from the front, rear, side profile, I just don't see a good angle. I've had loads of hot Hondas in the past and really wanted to like this for its driving ability, but I just can't.
Are the headlights standard? They look almost black.
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