FK2 Vs FK8 Honda Civic Type R: How Much Has The Game Moved On?

The latest Type R might only seem like a slight evolution over the old one, but how do they compare when driven back to back?
FK2 Vs FK8 Honda Civic Type R: How Much Has The Game Moved On?

On paper, at least, the gap between the FK2 Honda Civic Type R and the current ‘FK8’ has always looked like a small hop rather than a giant leap.

With the FK2 arriving so late in the ninth-gen Civic’s life, it was always going to be a short-lived car, so Honda developed its ‘K20C1’ 2.0-litre engine in the knowledge that it would be carried over to the FK8 largely unaltered. Sure enough, it’s much the same and makes a mere 10bhp more.

The FK8 may have a fully independent setup, trumping the FK2’s torsion beam/trailing arm rear arrangement, but at the front it’s deja vu central with similar torque steer-combating dual-axis struts and a mechanical limited-slip differential. Downforce increased, but not dramatically, with both cars using a similarly bananas aero packages.

FK2 Vs FK8 Honda Civic Type R: How Much Has The Game Moved On?

The FK8 is quite clearly the better car - I’ve said before that it’s just a little bit better than the old Type R in pretty much every area, a conclusion I’ve come to after living with each as long-term test cars. But what I’ve never done is drive them back to back, which I’ve now rectified. And in the process, I’ve come away quite shocked.

After lowering yourself into the equally deep bucket seat of the FK2, the familiarity quickly fades away. God, it feels dated in here now, but then I suppose it should do - this is based on a car that first arrived in 2011. There’s no fancy LCD instrument cluster here, with the FK2 instead using a physical rev counter paired with a digital speedometer which is - for some reason - perched much further up the dashboard.

FK2 Vs FK8 Honda Civic Type R: How Much Has The Game Moved On?

It’s on the move that the differences really start to appear. The engine in the FK8 may be mostly the same, but the software tweaks and the much freer-flowing exhaust have worked wonders - in the FK2, it feels noticeably laggier. It’s a more lethargic iteration of the engine, not helped by the fact it’s only possible to unlock its angriest mode by engaging +R mode. Something you probably won’t want to do.

That brings me neatly on to the chassis - even in the ‘normal’ mode with the adaptive suspension system slackened off, there’s not a whole lot of finesse to the damping. The ride is extremely busy, refusing to settle down however smooth the road. Switch to +R and it gets worse.

FK2 Vs FK8 Honda Civic Type R: How Much Has The Game Moved On?

Despite the dynamic foibles it remains a great hot hatch. There are plenty of current entries to this stupidly competitive little chunk of the market that could still learn a thing or two from the FK2. It’s raw and visceral in a way that the FK8 isn’t, yet still extremely capable. You can dump your foot on the throttle far earlier in a bend than seems sensible, and the front end will just hook up, dig in, and shoot you out the other side.

FK2 Vs FK8 Honda Civic Type R: How Much Has The Game Moved On?
The FK2's cabin (above) already feels dated compared to the FK8's (below)
The FK2's cabin (above) already feels dated compared to the FK8's (below)

Switching back to ‘my’ FK8, I’m treated to a sense of refinement I’ve never quite appreciated before. It’s quieter when you’re just cruising. The ride is a massive improvement. The infotainment, while still a long way off rival systems, is considerably less annoying to use.

But don’t go thinking this is the generation the Type R went soft. Far from it: the FK8 doesn’t have the hard, unrefined edginess of the FK2, but it makes up for it with a superior front end that’ll hang on for some time after the older Type R’s will have given up and pushed on into understeer.

FK2 Vs FK8 Honda Civic Type R: How Much Has The Game Moved On?

The introduction of a ‘Sport’ mode gives a great halfway house in terms of firmness and response from the engine, but unlike the FK2, the hardcore +R mode is actually useable.

The keener engine, meanwhile, may not feel any more potent, but it does sound better. While the FK2 version of the K20C1 just seems to drone throughout the entire rev range, the FK8 gets all zingy in the final few hundred revs before the 7000rpm, almost reminiscent of old N/A Type R engines. Under full load, there’s also less torque steer.

FK2 Vs FK8 Honda Civic Type R: How Much Has The Game Moved On?

The only area in which old trumps new here is the pedal placement, as it’s perhaps slightly easier to heel and toe in the FK2. But other than that, the FK8 comes out on top. That’s not unexpected, of course - this was always going to be a victory for the newer car, but the size of the margin is surprising.

The FK2 manages to highlight all the work that went into making the latest Type R better than ever, while still standing up well in a modern context. For a car you can now pick up for as little as £17,000 it’s an incredible piece of kit. Just don’t be fooled into thinking you’re getting pretty much the same car - the Type R game has moved on, and quite considerably. Honda has managed to make something which is even better to drive, while also being better to live with. Sterling work.

Comments

Tomislav Celić

I can’t be the only one who like the looks of the new Type R.

It looks like it was designed by the same guy who designes ROG laptops.

03/03/2019 - 10:50 |
54 | 4

Good comparision. I hate the ROG aesthetics.

03/03/2019 - 11:03 |
20 | 6

I like it’s overall proportions, but just seems so over stylized and the blanked vents on the rear just look cheap and nasty. Can’t remember where I saw it but I think it was a mugen bumper, that was almost identical but was flat and elegant instead of having those blanked vents. Made it looked wonderful.

03/03/2019 - 11:36 |
2 | 2

I wouldn’t choose one myself (I prefer the more understated look of something like an M140i), but I like it nonetheless.

03/03/2019 - 11:59 |
2 | 2

I love just how out there the cars design is. The only thing that puts me off getting one as my next car is the exhaust note, or lack thereof!

03/03/2019 - 13:10 |
2 | 0

I love the FK8’s looks

03/03/2019 - 14:04 |
2 | 0
Anonymous

if you compare ek9, ep3 and fd2 the car doesnt really have a big difference in terms of engine, its the same with this 2 generation, just because they have the same engine it would’ve been wrong to assume they’re basically the same car

03/03/2019 - 13:07 |
12 | 0
RWB Dude

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Except one has a Nürburgring record and the others don’t

03/03/2019 - 14:06 |
0 | 2
Olivier (CT's grammar commie)

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

EK9, EP3 and FD2 do have a big difference in terms of the engine. While the EP3 and the FD2 do share the K20A, the EK9 uses the B16B (and the DC2 the B18C).

03/03/2019 - 17:42 |
0 | 0
Seano

I’ve got an FK8 in white….it’s amazing how quickly u get used to it looking extreme and it just becomes ‘normal’ to you. I think it looks great, something different, and for those haters, see one in the flesh it really does have a presence

03/03/2019 - 13:15 |
10 | 0
RWB Dude

In reply to by Seano

Agreed, in person they are stunning

03/03/2019 - 14:07 |
2 | 0
Matt Robinson
Matt Robinson

In reply to by Seano

Was about to ask if you had a gear knob beanie, then took a closer look at your profile pic! White suits the FK8 the best, I reckon. How have you found front tyre wear so far, out of interest? The Conti SP6s have a reputation for fast wear, and the front pair on ‘our’ FK2 from a couple of years ago certainly went down quickly.

03/03/2019 - 17:14 |
0 | 0
Basith Penna-Hakkim

I don’t care what people say about the looks but the Fk8 is better than the Fk2 on a number of reasons
I am glad that the new Civic Type R is the fastest FWD car on the Nurburgring thanks to Honda and I would get it over a Focus RS and STI anyday.

03/03/2019 - 16:37 |
6 | 0
Basith Penna-Hakkim

Long live Type R!

03/03/2019 - 16:38 |
4 | 0
Anonymous

I honestly don’t see why people crib about the looks. It doesn’t look any worse than a Subaru Impreza Sti with the scoops..

03/03/2019 - 17:39 |
2 | 0
White Comet

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

It’s sort of amazing how the Civic Type R evolved to look just like the Subaru STI. I mean, that is a fine job of copying homework hahaha

03/04/2019 - 18:14 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

The fk2 is horrifying in the looks department, and nothing will change my mind on that.

03/03/2019 - 19:20 |
0 | 0
mazdapathy

can I be honest?
I like the front section of the fk2, that fender vent and the flares. ooh love that

03/03/2019 - 19:28 |
4 | 0
Francisco Dias

They’re different gens!? I always thought they were different bodystyles of the same generation O.o

03/04/2019 - 15:46 |
0 | 0
nicholas 1

Old one is better to drive fast. More insane, more mechanical.

08/30/2019 - 14:35 |
0 | 0

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