FK8 Civic Type R phased out from Honda Cars PH lineup?

MANILA: Looks like you won't be able to purchase a brand new FK8 Civic Type R at your local Honda dealership now. The hot hatchback — a predecessor to the all-new FL5 generation — has seemingly been dropped from the Honda Cars Philippines lineup.

This is wishful thinking at the moment, but could the local Honda distributor be making way for that all-new FL5 Civic Type R?

As the first Type R to be sold officially in the country, the FK8 Civic Type R was launched locally in 2018 with much fanfare. Its two-liter VTEC turbo engine produces a maximum power output of 310hp at 6,500rpm and peak torque of 400Nm from 2,500rpm to 4,500rpm. The engine is mated to a six-speed manual transmission equipped with a rev match control system, which blips the revs up to the optimal range upon shifting.

Like its five past iterations, the FK8 Honda Civic Type R’s goal was to be the best front engine, front wheel drive performance hatchback. It is one that can go through the daily commute in ease from Monday through Friday before taking on the circuit on the weekends.

It may have retailed at P3 million, but that did not stop the FK8 Civic Type R from strong clamor. Upon launch, the 100 units initially allocated for the market were snapped up within 48 hours after announcement of availability, reports said. According to Honda Cars Philippines, the positive response is due to "the model's strong following, multiple recognitions, rich racing heritage, and several track records broken in some of the world's most challenging racetracks."

In 2021, the FK8 Honda Civic Type R received a number of updates.

New lower fog light surrounds are added to the front and rear bumpers. It has an updated symmetrical design, smooth surfaces, and sleek styling blades. Furthermore, the front and rear bumpers, as well as the side skirts, retained a carbon fiber effect front splitter, side under spoilers, and rear diffuser with a sporty red accent line that ran around the entire vehicle. Twenty-inch Berlina Black alloy wheels fill the vehicle's enlarged wheel arches.

Furthermore, the updated FK8 Honda Civic Type R featured a new front grille design with a thinner grille beam, which provided a 13% larger air intake area, according to Honda. When combined with the Type R's updated radiator core, this reduced coolant temperature by up to 10 degrees in high-demand situations like track driving, according to Honda internal testing.

Honda’s Sensing suite of driver-assistive functions also made its way to the then-new FK8. Honda Sensing warns the driver of potential hazards by using a monocular camera and wave.

In addition, Honda’s suite of driver-assistive features provides an array of advanced safety features such as Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS), Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS), Road Departure Mitigation (RDM), and Lane Departure Warning (LDW).

During the update, a bright Racing Blue color was added alongside the Type R-classic Championship White, somber Sonic Gray, and raging Rallye Red.

Returning to the performance aspect of the FK8 Honda Civic Type R, it came with Active Sound Control (ASC) that complemented the Type R’s triple exhaust system’s refined note. With the ASC, the Type R’s audio system provides an enhanced engine sound within the cabin during aggressive driving in Sport and +R modes, refining it during acceleration in Comfort mode and enhancing the driving experience.

The revised FK8 Civic Type R featured improved suspension and braking systems for more responsive and precise handling. Aside from that, the control software for the Civic Type R's Adaptive Damper System has been upgraded to allow for faster road condition evaluation, resulting in improved damper reactions for better handling response and ride quality.

In terms of braking, the hot hatchback is outfitted with Brembo four-piston calipers paired to new two-piece floating 350 millimeter front brake discs and new brake pads up front. According to the company, the Type R's braking system enhancements improve thermal efficiency and reduce brake fade for increased capabilities during high-intensity driving for optimized on-track performance.

The new FK8 Civic Type R had a high center console and Type R bucket seats with red and black suede-effect fabric trim. The dashboard featured carbon center inlays and red accents that extend to the side door panels. The Type R serial number plate was located beneath the gear shift lever.

In the center of the cluster was a seven-inch full color thin film transistor (TFT) LCD display for the instrument display. It displayed various function readouts such as driving mode display (+R, Sport, Comfort), LED gear shift indicator light, turbo boost pressure gauge, throttle/brake input display, and g-meter.

Meanwhile, an updated seven-inch touch screen display audio system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity sat atop the center console. Honda reported that control functions for the infotainment and climate control systems have been updated with additional physical buttons and tactile knobs for improved usability and functionality.

Along with Honda Sensing, the FK8 Civic Type R included a slew of safety features, including front driver and passenger airbags, side and side curtain airbags, an Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), Hill Start Assist (HSA), and a Multi-View Reverse Camera with Guidelines.

No matter how fun-filled and tech-laden the previous Civic Type R was, the 2023 FL5 Honda Civic Type R should take these qualities even further.

The all-new 2023 Civic Type R is the most potent model in the Type R's 30-year history. With enhancements of 9 horsepower and 20 Nm, the turbocharged K20C1 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine of the 2023 Civic Type R now generates 315 horsepower and 420 Nm of torque. With a specific output of 157.8 horsepower per liter, an increase from the previous generation's 153.3, the Civic Type R is one of the most potent vehicles in its class per liter.

A new, more muscular body, which was designed in Japan, is 0.8 inches longer, 0.5 inches lower, and 0.6 inches wider. It also features wide fenders that flare out over wider tracks, lightweight 19-inch matte black alloy wheels, and specially made Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires that are wider (+20mm).

Because of these, the 2023 Honda Civic Type R broke a production-car front-wheel drive track record at the Suzuka Circuit in Japan, the site of the Formula 1 Honda Japanese Grand Prix, solidifying its reputation as the best-performing Civic Type R ever.

To further strengthen the driver's connection with the car, the active exhaust valve opens at higher rpm to heighten and enhance the sound of the engine.

The six-speed manual transmission in the 2023 Civic Type R has been substantially enhanced to provide an even more satisfying and personal driving experience. In order to retain stability on corner entry, a lighter flywheel and a redesigned rev-match mechanism guarantee flawlessly paired rev-matching when shifting down through the gears.

Exclusive to Type R, a new enhanced version of the Honda LogR Performance Datalogger combines the Type R's onboard computer and sensors with a new built-in vehicle app. This helps drivers monitor and record a variety of performance parameters in real time when driving on the track or other closed courses, helping to improve driving skills.

When the 2023 Honda Civic Type R does arrive in the Philippines, it will surely be as coveted and exciting as the first Civic Type R sold in the country.

Witness Honda Cars Philippines, with its latest technologies and vehicles, at the 2022 Philippine International Motor Show (PIMS) from September 16 to 18 at the World Trade Center in Pasay. 

Photos from Honda

Also read: Verstappen takes the 2023 Honda Civic Type R for a spin in new ad