Honda Civic Type R FK8: What’s New in the Refresh

The Honda Civic Type R FK8 was refreshed not long ago and, after driving it again, it only reinforced what was already true: this is still the benchmark among “front-engined, front-wheel drive” hot hatches - the segment’s apex predator, and still unbeaten. The Mégane R.S. Trophy-R might have something to say, but it costs almost €30,000 more and it simply doesn’t offer anything like the Civic Type R’s day-to-day versatility.

Filming at Serra de Montejunto with the Honda Civic Type R FK8

We headed to Serra de Montejunto to give the car the workout it deserves and, as you may already have noticed, there’s a new face on the Automobile Reason YouTube channel: please welcome Miguel Dias. Guilherme does the honours for Miguel’s first appearance on the channel and, for this first “trial by fire”, it’s hard to imagine a better place to start than behind the wheel of the Civic Type R.

Alongside Miguel’s debut, Guilherme also shows his Renault Twingo (1st generation) on the channel for the first time - the unlikely yet capable support car used during filming. It couldn’t be further from what a Civic Type R is, but it gets the job done. A video not to miss.

What changed in the Honda Civic Type R?

There was no need to change much - especially not if you don’t want to risk ruining it… - to make something good, or even very good, better.

On the outside, there are fresh styling touches (including inserts filling in the fake air intakes and outlets), plus a redesigned front grille. That grille is 13% larger to improve engine cooling.

Interior and gearbox updates

Inside, the steering wheel is now trimmed in Alcantara. The manual gear lever has also been reworked: it now has a teardrop shape and gains a 90 g counterweight to improve the shift action.

Chassis, steering and braking changes

Mechanically, nothing has changed - the 2.0 Turbo with 320 hp remains one of the strongest and most accomplished engines in its class. The chassis, however, has seen several revisions. The rear lower suspension arm bushes are 8% stiffer, the front bushes are new as well, and it also gains new low-friction ball joints to deliver sharper steering.

The braking system has been updated too, with new two-piece front discs (2.5 kg less unsprung mass). The brake pedal travel has also been reduced by 15 mm before the brakes begin to bite.

Engine sound and Active Sound Control (ASC)

Perhaps the biggest criticism of this generation of Honda Civic Type R is its engine note - or, more accurately, the lack of it. This refresh doesn’t truly solve that, but it does add Active Sound Control (ASC): an extra synthesised sound layer that sits over the real engine noise, played through the car’s audio system (only heard inside the cabin).

Well… you can’t have everything, and it certainly doesn’t stop the Civic Type R from remaining the reference point in its class.

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