![]() At $72,600 drive-away, the new Civic Type R is nearly $6000 more than the ultra-exclusive FK8 Civic Type R Limited Edition, and nearly $18,000 more than the ‘vanilla’ 2021 FK8 Type R. The platform might have a tasteful new top hat, but the architecture is the same, too.Īnd then there’s the price. The automatic option and AWD hybrid powertrain that was rumoured in the lead-up to the FL5’s launch is nowhere to be found – even the engine’s plastic engine cover appears to be identical to that of the FK8. The K20C 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder of the FK8 (and also its predecessor the FK2, which never made it to Australia) still sits under a vented aluminium bonnet, hooked up to a six-speed manual and driving the front wheels. Under the bonnet, though, some might get the sense that Honda has engaged in some overzealous recycling. There’s no mistaking it for a cooking-grade VTi-LX or Civic Hybrid, in case the prominent rear wing (now on alloy stanchions) and red H badge on the snout didn’t already clue you in. Stylistic differences appear to the be the most substantial, with the FL5 wrapped in smoother sheetmetal, swapping out the stuck-on wheelarch extensions, sharp-edged bodykit and bonnet-mounted NACA duct of the FK8 in favour of a widebody treatment that’s far more subtle (and is formed from stamped steel, not plastic and clip-on fasteners).ĭon’t let these photos fool you either – on the street, the Civic Type R’s extra 88mm of width is plainly obvious. ![]() Nissan’s Z and the Toyota GR Corolla probably come close, but Honda’s top-tier hatchback has a mystique behind its badge that gets an enthusiast’s adrenal glands pumped up to bursting point – particularly those who were raised on a diet of Gran Turismo and Best Motoring videos.ĭoes it deliver? Spoiler alert: absolutely.īut what’s there to get excited about? After all, the new FL5 Civic Type R doesn’t appear to represent a massive step-change over its predecessor, the FK8. In recent years, few cars have arrived with more hype or expectation heaped upon them than the Civic Type R. I’ll do my best to be objective, but when cars are this outstanding it’s difficult to sound neutral. As with all Type Rs, drivers can choose between three driving modes - Comfort, Sport and +R – that vary damping force, steering assist and throttle mapping.IT IS difficult to write about cars like the Civic Type R because you know that before the first words even land on the page, the end result is going to look like an overexcited teenager wrote it. That means a 2.0L direct-injected and turbocharged four-cylinder with VTEC valvetrain, putting out 306 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, with power to the front wheels delivered through a close-ratio six-speed manual transmission and limited-slip differential. ![]() The Limited Edition shared the 2020 Civic Type R mechanical and design updates. ![]() Paying homage to past Limited Edition models, the 2021 Limited Edition comes with additional model-exclusive treatments such as contrasting gloss black paint on the roof, outside mirror caps and intake vent on the hood, along with a dark chrome Civic badge on the rear hatch. Only 100 units, all in Phoenix Yellow and each with an individually numbered serial plate, were being offered in Canada. The lighter, faster 2021 Type R Limited Edition features all of the 2020 model year Type R updates, plus additional enhancements designed to make it even more ferocious. Honda calls it “the ultimate street-legal track-focused variant” of its formidable Civic Type R. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |