2018 Honda Civic Type R FK8 GT Review

We’ve been trying out the 2018 Honda Civic Type R FK8 GT on the highway in the UK. Listed below are our thoughts relating to this extra feisty recent addition to the Honda family.

What’s the Honda Civic Type R GT FK8 ABOUT?

Not too much back in the annals of Honda’s car releases, the prior generation of the car was released. However in the motoring world, nothing stays new for long. Now, Honda have unleashed their latest, top quality model: the FK8.

The factory-fresh Type R comes in two models; the typical and the GT. The GT includes a fistful of extra features, including Blind Spot Information, LED fog lights, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, Cross Traffic Monitor, and dual-zone climate control. Other, more technological features include wireless phone charging, Garmin navigation, and an extraordinary 11-speaker sound system.

Living up to the legacy of its previous models, the brand new Honda Civic Type R FK8 design could cause a divide of opinion. But, think it’s great or hate it, there’s no denying that the brand new Type R modifications create a striking look. A crafty mix of sharp lines and subtle curves supply the civic an aggressive, speed-hungry, road-ready demeanour. The huge angular, aerodynamic bumper and grille instantly give a feel of sportiness and speed. A massive rear wing and lower rear diffuser help further this effect.

Great effort has been placed into aiding the aerodynamics of the car. Design cues, just like the roof spoiler and vortex creator combo (that assist channel air around the automobile), include specific design requirements from japan manufacturers. The Civic’s overall design really helps to create negative lift, improving stability and grip at high speeds. And talking about speed, vents in the wheel arches and the addition of a bonnet vent help with keeping the finely tuned engine on the cool side.

Further styling developments are the 20-inch alloy wheels, which are suited to the Civic’s new look perfectly. Behind the car, nowadays there are three exhaust tips in two different sizes. A fresh, specifically designed exhaust system now allows the central exhaust tip to create negative pressure at high RPM. This can help to minimise the booming of the exhaust at high speeds, although Honda declare that they have tried to keep carefully the ‘good’ sounds of the automobile.

Powered by a 2.0-litre petrol VTEC engine, the Honda Civic Type R FK8 runs on the mono-scroll turbo to improve both efficiency and performance. This car now creates 320 PS and 400 Nm of torque. This power surges through a 6-speed manual gearbox to leading wheels, pushing the Civic from 0-60 mph in a stunningly sharp 5.8 seconds (Non GT Model is 5.7). With the capacity of 169 mph, it’s quicker than its predecessor. An efficient front differential and a good use of electronics help ensure that all of this power reaches the street, making for improved handling on the straight so when cornering.

What’s it Prefer to Drive?

The prior generation Honda Civic was a well-revised hatchback, and car communities will be saddened to wave it goodbye. Fortunately, the freshest face of the Civic has only superior its previous model. The FK8 now comes with an additional 10 PS of power, three different driving modes, new rear multi-link suspension, and variable-ratio energy steering. Packed filled with new and improved features and profiting from a sleek new design, the FK8 is a cut above the prior generation.

When the car is exposed, the 400 Nm of torque is quite noticeable, there exists a significant amount of pulling power available low down in the rev range. Because of the turbo, this car posseses an electrically managed waste gate that releases boost pressure when you release the throttle. This, of course, only increases the driving experience and enjoyment.

The energy delivery for the FK8 is exceptionally responsive, and the 320 PS pulls the automobile perfectly. The quantity of usable power is ideal for this car. At speed, the brand new Honda Civic Type R FK8 feels glued to the street. Working alongside Continental, Honda has generated bespoke tyres to keep optimum grip. These 245/30 R20 tyres improve handling when braking, cornering, so when driving straight lines.

Honda has implemented other innovative features to boost the Civic’s handling. A restricted slip differential works like sheer magic, ensuring each wheel puts the proper amount of torque right down to the road. Therefore permits cornering speed to be maximised. The Civic includes a very smooth and controlled handling feel and minimises torque steer with techniques we’ve not seen before.

3 Capable Drive Modes

The Honda Civic Type R FK8 GT comes with three driving modes; Comfort, Sport, and +R. By default, you can be leaving in Sport mode. Torque mapping is more aggressive and performance focused, steering assistance is were you want to buy, and the adaptive dampers are stiffened at all times. Combining these features helps Sport mode to really feel sporty, and permits a raw, exhilarating driving experience optimised for the street.

Switching to +R mode brings the configuration to a straight sharper setup, optimal for track driving and racing. In the event that you feel like taking things down a notch, Comfort mode keeps the driving experience exceptionally smooth. Bumps are created a lot more bearable in this mode, ideal for those mellow days in which a comfortable drive is key. The old generation Civic Type R could certainly have benefited out of this driving mode.

Testing this car on the highway was a terrific way to see precisely how well-rounded it is. On the highway, this is certainly one powerful hatch that may undertake most challenges. But on the track, this car is such an extremely tuned machine, and is quite capable for both beginners and more complex drivers.

Interior

Profiting from premium design, the FK8 is a pleasure to sit in. Leading seats have an elegant sporty element to them. In addition they hug your sides a lot more than in the last gen of the automobile, perfect for track days or aggressive driving.

A big touchscreen infotainment system dominates the dashboard, nonetheless it works very well because of this car. The inside is filled with nice touches, like the crafted aluminium on the apparatus stick and pedals. Hints of red and black in the cockpit also enhance the sporty selling point of this car.

The Honda Civic Type R FK8 has fully digital driving instruments, a noticable difference over the prior generation two-tier approach. The fully digital dashboard is a wonderful feature because of this car, and the high refresh rate has the ability to match changes in speed and the rev gauge.

Experience

This car is exceptionally smartly designed, and sets the bar to a fresh level for the hot hatch. In a position to hit 169 mph and corner as an M3, it’s simply an exceptional little bit of engineering. Vast levels of research, meticulous focus on detail and exquisite styling have all helped Honda to accomplish this perfect little bit of machinery. It’s an easy, energetic drive; so when you understand it’s powered by a 2.0 litre turbocharged engine, you understand just how much affordability the brand new Civic is.

Verdict

This car may be the fastest front-wheel drive car on the market to date. The development FK8 Civic owns the Nurburgring Nordschleife lap record for leading wheel drive category with a period of 7 m 43.8 s. Honda don’t have a brief history of bad Civic Type Rs, and that isn’t going to change now. The brand new generation improves everything that had been good in the last generation, and goes far beyond with regards to driving experience. This hot hatch has proper track going credentials with practicalities for the street.