Before I get too excited about taking my dibs on the all-new model, let's talk about the new Civic Type R from the top.
Following the success of the previous FK2 Civic Type R, Honda turned up the wick by regenerating the Civic Type R to an all new FK8 model, which is based on the current-generation Civic Hatchback sourced from the United Kingdom.
As the hot hatch that reigned the Nurburgring record for front wheel drive cars, with its 7:43.8 lap time, the FK8-spec Civic Type R comes with the newly improved chassis dynamics that were fine tuned to become the ultimate front-wheel drive track weapon as well as the upgraded 2.0L VTEC TURBO engine that produces 10PS more than the previous FK2, delivering 320PS of power and 400Nm of torque, while mated exclusively to a 6-speed manual gearbox. Apart from that, the new model comes with a brand new +R mode that gives the new car greater usability across a wider range of road surfaces as well as advanced dual-axis and multi-link suspension, Adaptive Damper System, Dual pinion variable-ratio EPS, Agile Handling Assist, drive-by-wire throttle, and many others.
The FK8 Civic Type R is priced at 4,500,360 Japanese Yen when it went on sale on the Japanese market since late September and for the first time, it's available worldwide, including North America.
In a Series 25 episode of Top Gear, Chris Harris tries out the Civic Type R round the Ebisu Circuit and then defeated the Lexus LC500, driven by Ninja Stig. When given to The Stig, it set a 1:25.6 lap time round the Top Gear track.
Having spent the first five minutes driving the new Civic Type R, I had to say that it's been an honor to get to know the ultimate hot hatch Honda has ever made. Of course, there has been some downsides to this new model such as the horrid styling at the back and the arm-breaking understeering that most front wheel drive cars do but for letting it loose, the new Civic Type R never fails to impress both returning and newcomers from across the globe. Yes, this car got one of the pages from today's Ford Mustang as this Made-In-United-Kingdom FK8 Civic Type R is now available worldwide, especially North America for the first time since forever, meaning everybody can sample the hot hatch that reclaimed the iron throne of the fastest front wheel drive car to lap the Nurburgring Nordschleife. Covering its flaws, this thing goes like a bloodied samurai that smoked little mister Pierre Le Burglar into a million chunks and I think I'm onto something here.
As you can see, I've been rejoined by the previous FK2 model and what am I going to do is to see how much the new model has improved over the old one even though the new model weighs slightly more than the previous Civic Type R but because the FK8 has the reputation of being the king of front-wheel drive cars, let's find out. Cue the tape!
At the end of their laps, here are the results;
FK8 - 1:25.088
FK2 - 1:27.732
...and there you have it. Not only the FK8 is around seconds faster than the old FK2, but I managed to beat the real-world lap time set by The Stig as well. How's that for starters? Still, that will trigger a warning shot against The Stig that I beat his lap time in this car. He he he...
This is by no means the best Civic Type R Honda has ever made and apart from the fact that it's now available to the rest of the globe, the Civic Type R's impressive performance is something to be reckoned with. It really is the king of the front wheel drive cars or perhaps is it? Besides, I'm not done with the FK8 yet because coming soon, me and the FK8 are up to something ambitious. So, what's it going to be? Watch for it.
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