Honda Civic Type R FL5:

Since its debut in Japan in 1997, the Civic Type R has established itself as a benchmark among front-wheel-drive hot hatches. Honda presents the FL5, launched in 2022, as the culmination of more than 25 years of development: 329 hp, a six-speed manual gearbox, and a 2.0-litre VTEC Turbo revving up to 7,000 rpm. It’s a traditional layout, four-cylinder petrol, turbo, front-wheel drive and manual transmission, one that feels almost old-fashioned today but is precisely what gives the car its charm.

Exterior shaped by aerodynamics

The FL5 sits lower and appears wider than the Civic e:HEV, with wider tracks and 19-inch wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres (265/30 R19). The front wheel arches feature a duct that channels air toward the underbody, while at the rear they’re designed to preserve clean airflow all the way to the diffuser. The aluminium bonnet includes a vent that cools the engine bay and, combined with the enlarged lower grille, generates extra downforce on the front axle. The rear wing, wider and mounted lower than on the previous generation, was redesigned to increase downforce while limiting drag, without compromising rear visibility. The lower air intake, 10% larger than before, feeds the cooling system and the Brembo brakes, which use two-piece floating discs better suited to sustained track use.

A cabin that unmistakably says Type R

Red dominates the cabin. The bucket seats, upholstered in non-slip suede-effect material, sit 8mm lower to reduce the centre of gravity, offering strong lateral support without sacrificing comfort on longer drives. The 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster switches, in R+ mode, to a layout centred on the rev counter with data relevant to spirited driving, complemented by the 9-inch infotainment screen. The centre console features honeycomb-pattern trim, along with the aluminium gear knob, a long-standing signature of the Type R line. Despite its sporting focus, the car remains practical: 410 litres of boot space (1,212 litres with the rear seats folded), for a kerb weight of 1,429 kg.

The last great VTEC Turbo

The K20C1 is a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine with direct injection, DOHC valvetrain with four valves per cylinder, and VTEC technology, here combined with forced induction. Honda reworked the turbocharger for this generation, reducing the number of blades and optimising their geometry while compacting the housing to cut inertia. The result is an engine that combines the torque availability of a turbo unit with a willingness to rev cleanly up to 7,000 rpm. The exhaust system flows 13% more than before, and its three active-valve outlets adjust both flow and sound. Output stands at 329 hp at 6,500 rpm, with 420 Nm of torque available between 2,200 and 4,000 rpm. Honda quotes a 0-100 km/h time of 5.4 seconds and a top speed of 275 km/h, with WLTP combined consumption of 8.2 l/100 km and 186 g/km of CO2. The six-speed manual gearbox shifts with precision, helped by a flywheel that’s 18% lighter, sharpening throttle response. The Rev Match system with auto-blip automatically matches engine speed on downshifts, helping keep the car stable when turning in.

A chassis built for corners

The dual-axis front suspension has been further refined, with new lower control arms increasing camber stiffness by 16% and reducing torque steer through the wheel. At the rear, the multi-link suspension benefits from a significantly wider track and a wheelbase stretched by 35mm, both contributing to greater stability at speed. The adaptive dampers manage body roll with greater precision, and Individual mode allows the throttle response, steering, dampers and engine sound to be adjusted independently. On the road, the front end turns in with real precision while the rear stays mobile enough to help rotate the car, aided by tyres developed specifically with Honda and a limited-slip differential that improves traction on corner exit. Rather than chasing outright power, Honda focused on making that power usable: the FL5 impresses less in a straight line than in its ability to carry speed through a corner.

Conclusion: the end of an era

The FL5 will likely be remembered as one of the last representatives of a certain vision of the performance combustion car. Honda has confirmed the end of sales in Europe in 2026, marked by an Ultimate Edition limited to 40 units for the continent, finished in Championship White with carbon elements, a black roof, red decals and exclusive lighting. After more than 25 years and over 70,000 units sold in Europe, the model’s European story is coming to a close. There’s no way to say for certain the FL5 will be the very last Civic Type R, but everything points to it being the last to pair a 100% combustion powertrain with a manual gearbox.