The car is responsive, grippy, confidence-inspiring, it corners flat, and you can really feel that diff pulling that car tight around the corner. A special mention needs to go to the seats as not only are they low slung, but they have the perfect blend of the support and comfort.

Honda Civic Type R (FK8) specs

Honda Civic Type R (EP3 facelift EP3) specs

We moved the weight distribution slightly to the rear, and changed the rear suspension from torsion beams to multilink.” One common philosophy drove these changes. “With the new Type R, we aimed to fully utilize the performance of the four high-grip tires.

It’s the fastest Honda brand vehicle ever sold in the States, and the CTR has defied critics disapproval of its front-wheel-drive layout and 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder. At launch, the FK8 smashed the FWD N rburgring record with a lap of 7:43.8 (not to mention was faster than a Z06 Corvette and BMW M2).

The Type R Limited Edition proves it’s not how much weight you lose, but where you lose it.

The Type S is powered by either a 1.8-litre petrol or a 2.2-litre diesel engine. The power source of the new Type R is the newest development stage of the 2.0L DOHC i-VTEC engine. The extensively improved engine, with an output of 201 HP, is nearly as powerful as in the preceding model, but is even more responsive.

The Civic Si (205 hp, 192 lb-ft) isn’t nearly as fast as the Type R (306 hp, 295 lb-ft) but with the six-speed manual, the Si sedan will take many more expensive cars out to the woodshed. To that end, both the Si and Civic Type R have adaptive dampers; the R feels one level stiffer than the Si.

The third generation of the Civic Type R was offered in two distinct models: one developed one for the Japanese domestic market and the other for UK and international markets each matching the availability of their regular 8th generation counterparts. FD2 (Japanese version) Honda Civic Type R (FD2) rear

Performance figures include a 0–97 km/h (0–60 mph) acceleration time of 6.7 seconds and a quarter-mile time of 15.3 seconds. The EK9 could attain a top speed of 225 km/h (140 mph). In 1998, the Civic Type R Motor Sports edition was introduced.

Honda claims the chassis is 50% more rigid than the previous Japan-only pre-facelift DC5 Integra Type R and 25% more rigid than the previous Japan-only facelift DC5 Integra Type R. The FD2 features an independent rear suspension rather than the torsion beam configuration used on the FN2 Type-R.

The normal civic is 850 lbs which would be about 170 lbs a person. It’s still low, but not that low. In terms of insurance, I can see you arguing the point if you are below the total weight capacity of the vehicle still, but if that 5th person puts you over, the insurance has valid reason to void the claim.