Logic would dictate that the new, FL5-generation Honda Civic Type R would be quicker in a straight line than the four previous Civic Type R models sold in the UK. But is that actually true?
To answer that question, CarWow recently gathered together the five generations of Civic Type R that have been sold in the UK over the decades. These start with the EP3 Civic Type R that’s still often viewed as the best Honda to ever wear a Type R badge. It was followed up by the FN2 Civic Type R before the car ditched naturally-aspirated power in favor of a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder found in the subsequent FK2, FK8, and FL5 models.
Watch: Milltek Sport Is Here To Ensure The Honda Civic Type R Sounds As Good As It Performs
As you would imagine, the EP2 and FN2 models are drastically underpowered when compared to the FK2, FK8, and FL5 models, so they stand no chance. However, the results between the three turbocharged models is particularly interesting.
While the FK2 Civic model is the least powerful of these three, pumping out 306 hp and 295 lb-ft (400 Nm) of torque, it gets the best launch in the race and takes home the victory, placing it ahead of the new FL5 model in second with its 325 hp and 310 lb-ft (420 Nm) and the FK8 in third with its 317 hp and 295 lb-ft (400 Nm). The FK2 ended up completing the quarter-mile in 13.8 seconds compared to the FL5 and FK8 that both ran 14.0 second times. The EP3 finished fourth in 15.3 seconds while the FN2 finished last with a best time of 16.3 seconds.
One of the reasons why the FK2 got the best launch is that it has a manual handbrake, allowing the driver to preload it before taking off, something that you cannot do with the electronic handbrake of the FK8 and FL5 models.