Photos by LOW BOON TAT
BUILDING on the legacy of the Honda Civic Type R badge, the current FL5 iteration delivers a ferocious driving experience for thrill-seeking drivers on twisty roads, while maintaining everyday usability in the tamer drive modes (Sport, Comfort).
Carrying a RM399,900 price tag, the new 2.0-litre turbocharged 319PS/420Nm Civic Type R front-wheel-drive hot hatch with its sublime 6-speed manual gearbox is an absolute riot to drive in the beastly and track-focused +R mode.
Press the +R button (next to the gear stick), and immediately the engine note is much louder, the car feels more aggressive, the adaptive dampers are stiffer, the electric power steering (EPS) tightens and throttle response is even sharper.
The Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S ultra-high performance tyres, sized 265/30 ZR19, produce exceptional grip and enhance the car’s cornering abilities during spirited driving.
Noise insulation is top-notch, and while the howl and growl of the Civic Type R is not overly deafening as we put pedal to the metal, it’s still loud enough to stir the blood as the digital tachometer needle climbs quickly to the 7,000rpm to 8,000rpm red line.
The clutch is light with a well-defined bite point, making engagements effortless, and the gear shifter is precise with short, slick throws.
The transmission’s fluidity and forgiveness make it accessible to both seasoned manual drivers and those who have less experience with stick shifters.
This also meant that the stick shifter is surprisingly easier to use than we had expected, in slow-moving urban traffic.
The Type R front sport seats held our bodies snugly, and provided excellent support during dynamic driving.
As expected, we enjoyed the Civic Type R’s impressive handling, and the car feels planted and agile, cornering with minimal body roll and excellent turn-in precision.
There’s ample muscle across the rev range, and the latest Civic Type R simply impresses with an exhilarating, responsive motoring experience whether in attacking a series of corners or cruising down the highway.
Torque steer is minimised, thanks to an improved dual-axis front suspension.
For a performance car, its Comfort mode provides a surprisingly smooth ride, even on somewhat uneven roads where imperfections are cushioned with ease.
It’s surprisingly compliant over badly maintained roads, and the ride quality, while firm, is never uncomfortable.
This makes it a practical daily driver as well, albeit with the heart of a track weapon.
The Sport mode is ideal for more spirited driving - although this is not as lively as the +R mode.
Brembo ventilated discs in front, and rear solid discs help to provide excellent stopping power.
The sporty two-tone interior is upholstered in suede-style fabric, with red covers for the front sports seats and black fabric for the rear seats.
We also like that the Civic Type R continues to offer an appealing balance of performance and practicality, with a 410-litre boot and 60:40 rear seats providing extra cargo space when needed.
There’s a space-saving electric parking brake, wireless charging, Auto Brake Hold (useful in stop-and-go traffic), a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment unit, Apple CarPlay (wireless) and Android Auto (wired) support, an 8-speaker audio system and two USB-A ports, as well as an array of Honda Sensing suite of advanced safety features.
Still, rear headroom is barely adequate for 1.7-metre adults and the middle rear seat is somewhat compromised by the embedded cup holders.
The rear boasts a prominent tailgate spoiler and three centrally-mounted exhaust pipes.
The spoiler provides additional downforce at high speeds, improving stability, while the tailpipes contribute to the car’s distinctive soundtrack.
The latest Civic Type R continues to be an aggressive, powerful machine that offers the best of both worlds - a high-performance track-ready machine and a practical, versatile daily driver with a compelling blend of practicality, power, precise handling, as well as comfort features.
It can be docile and compliant in traffic, purring along with a surprising degree of refinement.
But unleash the beast with the drive mode selector or the +R button, and it transforms into a snarling, eager-to-please predator.
Honda’s iconic high-performance hatchback was engineered to deliver the fastest Civic Type R ever, and the FL5 stands out as a machine that is as at home when tearing up the racetrack as it is in a bustling metropolis.
It delivers joy to driving enthusiasts and puts smiles on their faces on twisty backroads and long, open highways.
SPECIFICATIONS
Honda Civic Type R (FL5)
Engine: 1,996cc 4-cylinder, 16 valves, DOHC VTEC turbo, Direct Fuel Injection
Maximum power: 319PS at 6,500rpm
Maximum torque: 420Nm from 2,600 to 4,000rpm
Transmission: Six-speed manual
Acceleration (0 to 100kph): 5.5 seconds
Top speed: 272kph
Fuel consumption (L/100km): 8.3
Suspension: Dual Axis Strut (front); Multi Link (rear), Adaptive Damper System
Kerb weight: 1,428kg
Boot capacity: 410 litres
Features: Brembo ventilated brake disc (front), solid brake disc (rear), temporary tyre repair kit, Electric Parking Brake, Electric Power Steering (EPS), 265/30 ZR19 tyres, Automatic LED headlights, LED Daytime Running Lights, Tailgate Spoiler, rear LED Combi Lights, Active Exhaust Valve, Rev Match System, Walk Away Auto Lock, Smart Entry with Push Start Button, Cruise Control, Drive Mode Selector (Comfort, Sport, +R and Individual Mode), 10.2-inch TFT Meter Cluster, Dual Auto Air Conditioning, Auto Dim Rearview Mirror, Suede‑style Fabric Upholstery, Type R Sport Seats (front), 60:40 Seats (rear), Auto Front Wipers, Active Sound Control, Wireless Charger, eight audio speakers, nine-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay (wireless) and Android Auto (wired) connectivity, two USB-A ports
Safety features: Eight airbags, Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), Limited Slip Differential (LSD), Agile Handle Assist (AHA), Auto Brake Hold (ABH), Hill Start Assist (HSA), front and rear parking sensors, multi-angle reverse camera, Honda Connect (Safety, Security, Convenience), Driver Attention Monitor
Advanced safety features: Honda Sensing suite includes Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Lane Keep Assist System (LKAS), Road Departure Mitigation (RDM), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Auto High Beam, Lead Car Departure Notification
Warranty: Five years warranty with unlimited mileage; free labour service up to five times within 100,000km or 5 years
Price: RM399,900 on-the-road without insurance. For registrations from Oct 1-31, Honda Malaysia is giving a cash rebate and finale bonus of RM80,000 for the Civic Type R. Terms and conditions apply.
