THE Honda Civic Type R FK8 it was renovated not long ago and now that we've driven it, it has just confirmed what remained true: this is the benchmark among the "everything ahead" hot hatch (front engine and front wheel drive), the super predator of the segment, still Unbeatable — the Mégane RS Trophy-R may have a say, but it costs nearly €30,000 more and doesn't have the versatility of use of the Civic Type R at all.
We went to Serra de Montejunto to give the machine the proper treatment and, as you may have noticed, there is a new face on Razão Automóvel's YouTube channel: welcome Miguel Dias. Guilherme makes the necessary introductions for Miguel's debut on the channel and for this first “fire test”, it couldn't be better than being at the controls of the Civic Type R.
In addition to Miguel Dias' debut, Guilherme shows for the first time on the channel his Renault Twingo (1st generation), the improbable, but competent, support car used in the recordings — a car that couldn't be more at odds than it is a Civic Type R. A video not to be missed:
What has changed on the Honda Civic Type R?
It wasn't necessary to move much — even to not run the risk of spoiling… — to improve what was already good, or even very good.
There are new aesthetic details (like a fill in the false air intakes and exhausts), and there's also a redesigned front grill (13% larger to improve engine cooling). Inside, the steering wheel is now in Alcantara and the manual gearbox knob has been redesigned (now has a teardrop shape) and has a 90g counterweight to improve its action.
If mechanically there were no differences — the 320 hp 2.0 Turbo remains one of the best and most powerful units in its class —, in terms of the chassis there were several modifications. The rear suspension lower link blocks are 8% stiffer, the front suspension blocks are also new and it gets new low-friction ball joints for sharper steering.
The braking system also gains new bi-material front discs (2.5 kg less in unsprung masses), while the brake pedal travel has been reduced by 15 mm before the brakes are applied.
Perhaps the biggest criticism of this generation's Honda Civic Type R is the sound of the engine, or rather the lack of it. The renovation of the Japanese hot hatch did not resolve this issue, but now it is equipped with Active Sound Control (ASC), that is, it has gained an additional synthesized sound layer that overlays the real sound of the engine, transmitted through the audio system of the engine. vehicle (only heard inside).
Well… You can't have it all and it's not at all an impediment for the Civic Type R to continue to be the benchmark in its class.