Evolution, Not Revolution

In a world obsessed with crossovers, SUVs, and EVs, the FL5 Civic Type R stands as a monument to what Honda does best: building driver-focused machines that deliver thrills without compromises. The latest Type R has grown up, but don’t mistake maturity for boredom—this is still the sharpest tool in the hot hatch drawer.

The Power Plant: More of Everything Good

Honda’s engineers squeezed even more performance from the K20C1 platform:

• 2.0L turbocharged engine: Now producing 315hp and 310 lb-ft of torque (US spec)
• Improved cooling: Larger grille opening and radiator for sustained performance
• Enhanced turbocharger: With increased boost and revised internals
• Improved exhaust: Active exhaust valve for enhanced sound character
• Rev-matching perfection: So good you’ll forget you once scoffed at the feature

The power delivery is more linear than ever, with less lag and a broader torque curve that makes the car more usable in daily driving while still rewarding high-RPM adventures.

Design: The Subtle Statement

The FL5 dialed back the visual drama of its predecessor—and many enthusiasts thanked Honda for it:

• Cleaner lines: Less origami, more purpose
• Functional aero: Every vent, scoop, and wing serves an aerodynamic purpose
• Available colors: Historic Championship White, Rallye Red, Crystal Black Pearl, Sonic Grey Pearl, and Boost Blue
• Lightweight components: Including the aluminum hood and composite hatch
• Wider track: Giving the car an even more planted stance

Interior: Business Class Performance

The interior received the biggest upgrade, moving firmly into premium territory:

• Red seats and carpets: Maintaining Type R tradition with an upscale twist
• Digital cockpit: Fully customizable with Type R-specific displays and data logging
• Improved visibility: An actual rear window you can see out of!
• Lightweight but comfortable: Honda found the perfect balance between racing bucket and road trip comfort
• Superior materials: Everything you touch feels premium, not plasticky

The Driving Experience: Peak Front-Wheel Drive

The FL5 has redefined what’s possible with front-wheel drive:

• Improved suspension geometry: Even better handling with less understeer
• Adaptive dampers: With wider range between comfort and sport settings
• Individual Mode: Customizable drive settings for the first time in a Type R
• Improved steering feel: More feedback than ever, despite being electrically assisted
• Track-ready brakes: Larger rotors and improved cooling
• LogR performance datalogger: Built-in telemetry that records everything from throttle position to g-forces

Breaking Its Own Records

Honda wasn’t content to rest on the FK8’s achievements:

• 7:39.3 Nürburgring lap time: Another front-wheel-drive record
• 2:23.120 Suzuka Circuit lap: Faster than supercars costing four times as much
• Improved thermal management: Can run lap after lap without performance degradation

The Collector Editions

Though still new to the market, Honda has already released special versions:

• Type R Limited Edition: More track-focused with reduced sound deadening
• Type R Sport Line: (Europe/Japan only) A more subtle wing for the understated enthusiast

The Driving Revolution: Pure in an Increasingly Synthetic World

What makes the FL5 special in 2025 is how analog it feels in a world rapidly transitioning to EVs:

• It’s still manual-only when competitors are going automatic-only
• It’s still pure internal combustion when others are hybridizing
• It still prioritizes driver engagement when others focus on driver assistance

The Legacy Being Built

The FL5 Civic Type R represents what may be the last purely internal combustion Type R. As regulations tighten and the industry shifts toward electrification, this generation stands as Honda’s ultimate statement on what a front-wheel-drive performance car can be.

It’s no longer trying to prove itself with over-the-top styling or headline-grabbing features. Instead, it focuses on what really matters: the connection between driver and machine. Every control feels precisely weighted, every response is exactly as expected, and every mile brings a smile.

The FL5 manages to be faster than its predecessor while feeling more refined, more capable while being more approachable, and more track-ready while being more livable day-to-day. It’s the definition of having your cake and eating it too.

For those who appreciate driving purity, the FL5 isn’t just another hot hatch—it’s a future classic in the making. As the automotive world rapidly electrifies, cars like this will be remembered as the pinnacle of internal combustion engineering. Get one while you still can.