The Honda Civic Type-R is an impressive piece of machinery. Not only is it the quickest front-wheel production car to ever lap the fabled Nurburgring, but it’s also the fastest car in its class.
Much like the FK2 Type-R it replaces, the FK8 is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged VTEC motor with Earth Dreams technology. The result is an impressive 228kw and 400nm – making it far more powerful that its rivals from Volkswagen and Renault. The motor drives the front wheels through a 6-speed manual transmission – the only transmission on offer. This translates to 0-100kph in 5.8 seconds, while it’s been known to run to over 280kph!
Last year it shattered the Nurburgring record for FWD cars – previously held by the limited edition Volkswagen GTI Clubsport S, and this year Honda is embarking on an adventure to add more lap records to its already sparkling resume.
Recently Honda took FIA World Touring Car Cup driver Esteban Guerrieri and a production spec FK8 Type-R shod with road-legal tyres to Circuit Nevers Magny-Cours in France, where the 235kw (UK spec) hot-hatch lapped the 4.4km circuit in a time of 2:01.51 - the quickest ever time for a front-wheel drive car at the French track.
For reference, Guerrieri’s lap time was quicker than much pricier and more powerful cars – notably the Mercedes-AMG C63 S Coupe, the BMW M2, the Ford Focus RS, and the Audi RS3 to name just a few.
Honda's next goal is to set similar records at four more European circuits: Estoril in Portugal, Hungaroring in Hungary, Silverstone in England, and Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium, with former F1 Champion Jenson Button and other racing drivers like Tiago Monteiro, Bertrand Baguette and Matt Neale scheduled to pilot the record breaking hatchback for lap record attempts.
The South African Civic Type-R retails for R635 500. The vehicle comes with a comprehensive five-year/200 000 km warranty, as well as a five-year/90 000 km service plan.
Also worth a look: the Honda Amaze and the Honda Elevate: WR-V Successor Debuts in SA.
FAQ
Q: What does the Honda Civic Type-R cost in South Africa?
The Honda Civic Type-R retails for R635,500 in South Africa, making it one of the pricier hot hatches on our market but also one of the most powerful with 228kW on tap.
Q: Is the Honda Civic Type-R worth buying?
Absolutely, if you want the fastest front-wheel drive car around the Nurburgring and don't mind paying R635,500 for the privilege of owning a proper track weapon that doubles as a daily driver.
Q: How fast is the Honda Civic Type-R compared to its rivals?
The Type-R's 228kW and 400Nm makes it significantly more powerful than rivals from Volkswagen and Renault, while its 5.8-second 0-100kph time and 280kph top speed put it in supercar territory.
Q: What engine does the Honda Civic Type-R use?
The FK8 Type-R uses a 2.0-litre turbocharged VTEC motor with Earth Dreams technology, producing 228kW and 400Nm, paired exclusively with a 6-speed manual transmission.
Q: What warranty does the Honda Civic Type-R come with?
Honda backs the Type-R with a comprehensive five-year/200,000km warranty, giving you peace of mind for those inevitable track day adventures.
Should You Buy It?
The best track-focused hot hatch under R700,000 in South Africa is undoubtedly the Honda Civic Type-R at R635,500. This isn't just marketing fluff, it's the genuine Nurburgring lap record holder for front-wheel drive cars and has the power figures to embarrass much more expensive machinery. If you've got the budget and want something that'll smoke a BMW M2 around a track while still being civilised enough for the daily commute, buy it without hesitation. Just don't expect your local petrol attendant to understand why you paid supercar money for a Honda hatchback.
