The latest edition of one of the car world's most beloved and revered names, the Honda Civic Type R, has arrived.

The FL5, the sixth-generation Civic Type R with a hatchback body, is the hottest variant of the 11th-generation Civic and the FK8's replacement. The FK2, which brought turbo to the moniker, came before it. Prior to it, there was a slew of fantastic naturally aspirated VTEC engines in the FN2, EP3, and, of course, the EK9. Who can forget the FD2, the first Type R model to be officially offered in Malaysia, the only country outside of Japan to receive the JDM sedan? In the tiny gallery below, you can see the previous masters.

Honda Malaysia has a good track record with Civic Type R (we also got the FK8), so we expected the FL5 to arrive here even before it was teased to the media in March of this year. After a half-year wait, celebrity parents and football clubs would exclaim, "He's here, and he's perfect."




The FL5 Civic Type R, like its FK8 predecessor, is powered by a KC20C1 2.0-litre turbo-four connected exclusively to a six-speed manual driving the front wheels - no automatic or AWD, as it should be. Malaysia's outputs are 319 PS at 6,500 rpm and 420 Nm of torque from 2,600 to 4,000 rpm, which is somewhat lower than Japan's 330 PS/420 Nm - this, like Australia, is likely due to our fuel quality.

The increased statistics (for Japan) are owing to a modified turbocharger in which the size, shape, and number of turbine wheel blades, as well as the intake charge flow pattern, have been optimized. Other modifications include increased air intake flow rate and a more efficient exhaust system. The latter has a straight-through construction as well as an active exhaust valve. The Active Sound Control has been improved.




Aside from the engine, an expanded grille aperture has improved the effective opening area of the radiator by 48%. There's also a lighter flywheel, and the rev-match system has been improved. In addition, the 6MT receives a high-rigidity lever and an optimized shift gate pattern for more precise and direct shifts, as well as a helical-type LSD and an aluminum shift knob.




Other changes include greater rigidity in the suspension (front MacPherson struts, rear multi-link) and a retuned system for better straight-line stability and steering feel. As before, electronic dampers with three drive modes (Comfort, Sport, and R+) are included, as is a new Individual setting.

The carryover two-piece front brake rotors have been improved in terms of cooling, as well as a retuned booster for improved feel and control. Honda collaborated with Michelin to create the Pilot Sport 4S tyres, which now have a 265/30 profile, which is 20 mm wider than before. The 19-inch black wheels with 'inside out' lip design contribute to a 25 mm wider front track and a 12.7 mm wider rear track.

When compared to the FK8, the CTR is 20 mm longer, 15 mm broader, and 12.7 mm lower. According to Honda, the driver sits lower than before in a newly built and lighter sport seat, which is of course upholstered in complete red cloth. There are no other inside color options, and Honda Malaysia, like the FK8, is only offering the FL5 in the Type R signature Championship White.



Unlike the FK8, the FL5 is manufactured in Japan and is a CBU import from Honda's Yorii facility in Saitama prefecture. Honda's Sensing suite of driver aid features, Honda Connect, Log R Data Logger (including Sepang), and a reverse camera/sensors are also included, which our previous model CTR did not have. There are a total of eight airbags, including knee airbags for the front occupants.

Despite its aggressive aero-honed aesthetics, the FK8 was an excellent daily with a tolerable ride; with these additional features and more subtle looks (12% better Cd value, more 'integrated' style, no more faux carbon print and red highlights), the new Type R should be even better in this regard.


In addition, instead of the original car's plastic extensions, the Type R now has flared rear fenders. The rear doors of the hatchback have been redesigned to match the broader fenders (no more Type R logo). Oh, and the rear bench center is for cupholders rather than human seating, so it's a four-seater.