There’s probably no better way to end the year for Honda Malaysia – the official arrival of the FK8 Honda Civic Type R marks the final model launch for the company this year. It’s priced at RM320,000, on-the-road without insurance, fully imported from Swindon, UK. If the figure looks familiar, it is – it’s priced identically in Indonesia, where it was launched in August.
For the uninitiated, this hot Civic is based on the 10th-generation hatch and packs the fire-breathing 2.0 litre turbocharged VTEC engine plucked from the FK2 CTR. The phrase “VTEC just kicked in yo” won’t apply here – VTEC now solely controls the exhaust valves, reducing turbo lag through increased exhaust pressure at lower rpms while delivering a high output at higher engine speeds.
The four-banger lump produces 310 PS at 6,500 rpm and 400 Nm of torque, the latter peaking from 2,500 to 4,500 rpm, which mirrors the output found on Australian and Indonesian market models. That’s 10 PS down from what the UK and European markets get, though.
At the Indonesian launch in August, Hideki Kakinuma, assistant large project leader for the CTR, had told us that the lower tune is due to fuel quality considerations in non-UK/Euro markets. The flip side to this is that it can run on RON 95, but running it on higher octane fuels won’t yield any added performance, not even RON 100, he explained today during the local launch of the car.
Power goes out to the front wheels through a six-speed close-ratio manual transmission (sorry, no auto transmission is available, and neither is AWD) with helical LSD to aid cornering traction. The gearbox gets a new single-mass flywheel, offering better response thanks to a reduction of clutch inertia weight (-25%). There’s also an auto-rev match function that blips the throttle during downshifts, but the good news is this can be manually turned off.
All this contributes to a rather impressive set of performance figures: the nought to 100 km/h sprint is done in 5.7 seconds before maxing out at 272 km/h. It’s currently the world’s fastest front-drive car around the Nurburgring with a time of seven minutes 43.8 seconds, or about seven seconds quicker than the FK2R.
New to the car is a set of adaptive dampers with upgraded shocks (in them are electromagnetic coils), featuring a three-chamber design to spread damping capabilities. This can be adjusted through a drive mode switch, featuring three – Comfort, Sport and +R – preset settings.
Responsible for managing ride duties is a frame that’s 16 kg lighter than the FK2 CTR’s, with torsional stiffness and bending rigidity up by 38% and 45% respectively. This improves agility and stability – the former achieved through camber reduction (-1.0) and stiffer springs which are 100% firmer than the standard Civic’s. Stability on the other hand, is gained through positive caster (+2.3) and wider track width (+62 mm).
A software called Agile Handling Assist works in tandem with the car’s VSA system to reduce inner wheel slip by applying light braking force during cornering. Speaking of braking, stopping power comes from Brembo, with four-piston callipers grabbing 350 mm front ventilated discs. The rear gets 305 mm solid discs.
Another highlight here is the trio of asymmetric exhaust pipes – the larger outlets are gas exit ports, while the centre pipe predominantly controls exhaust sound. It also doubles as an extra exhaust port at full throttle, as well as a “silencer” at mid-loads for better cruising NVH.
As for equipment, the list dittos the Indonesian model, starting with the blacked-out grille, red Honda and Type R badges, a vented bonnet, large air intakes as well as vertical air curtains (this also help cool the brakes) just next to the fog lamps. Just like the standard car, forward illumination is completely LED.
On the side, it sits on 20-inch Berlina black alloys wrapped with specially-commissioned 245/30 Continental SportContact 6 tyres. The rear gets a whole lot busier with aero bits like the vortex generators and huge spoiler, all working in tandem to provide more downforce than ever before. Flanking each side of the rump is a pair of familiar LED combination lamps.
Inside, the cabin gets a sporty red-on-black theme, but interestingly the rear seats seem to lack the racy vibe. Up front, the dashboard and steering wheel get red contrasts, while the instrument cluster is Type R-specific.
Honda claims that this CTR is meant to be used daily, and as such the seats have been designed for maximum comfort and support. It’s non-branded and provides decent levels of comfort, thanks to generous use of padding.
So there you have it, folks. For the price, would you put your money down on one? Apparently, close to 60 bookings have been made for the car to date. If you’re looking at one, orders for the Civic Type R can be made at any 20 Honda Sport dealerships nationwide.
You can read our international drive report on the Civic Type R, and check out the full specifications of the CTR at CarBase.my.
GALLERY: FK8 Honda Civic Type R preview
GALLERY: FK8 Honda Civic Type R review
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the selling price just ruin my dream..
buy civic 1.8 & pimp it up to CTR !
top up a bit and buy a Volvo XC90 or a BMW x5 40e.
More prestige. More power and more style
now the golf R and megane RS are a bargain compared with this car…
Something must be seriously wrong with the Malaysian Ringgit if this Type R is RM320,000. With insurance it will be RM340k
This is such an affordable car globally.
But in Malaysia – who really got RM320k unless you are rich.
Let us hope the ringgit strengthens one day
We’ve known for a long time that our high car prices are caused by taxes, and worst of all, by the high profit margins imposed by the car manufacturers themselves. Cars were never cheap in Msia even at 2.5 to the USD.
no, something wrong with honda japan. and honda malaysia.
and the govt too for that high import tax.
Insurance Rm20k ?
Same here… MyVi sahajalah… tak cukup duit.
The design , color and overall looks , highly desirable for those below 20.
It sure does not exude class.
However I am sure the drive will be great!
lala chao ah beng sohai pukima pundek car
You mean yourself?
RM320,000. Just topup abit for Volvo S90 T8 ha hah
With S90 T8 you can smoke the CTR in a straight line and also have a much more luxurious interior more space and the B&W sound system. 320k is err…too expensive for a Honda Civic segment. Also badge kinda matter… Unless you rich with a lot of cars and very die-hard Honda Fanboy…
i love Volvo > all
So basically around the same price as the wrx sti.
Just 20k cheaper than A45 and audi RS3
I am a type r and Sti car fan as well but is too close to the price of a A45 top demand. I will still choose A45
Before this turbo engine, civic type r occupied a special spot in our hearts with that insane high revving sound and feeling that no a45 or rs3 could replicate no matter the 0-100 figures. but now… seems a little generic again
I couldnt agree more with you!
My exact thought too.
Ahhhh,I just booked new Myvi today.Just a little late,Should I cancel my booking? I’m in big dilemma here.
Pls cancel. no one stopping you to ride kapcai RofloL
Never mind, ur myvi can smoke this car any time any place.
Damnnn… FK8 Honda Civic type R is a killer.. When you own it you deserve it.
Its obviously, relatively more expensive than the competitors.
So much expensive than the imported new FD2R at RM199K last time. RM199K vs RM320K… aduhai Malaysian Ringgit…
310PS vs 225PS
400Nm vs 215Nm
Tebo vs non-tebo
VSA vs non-VSA
Able to use Ron95 vs only eats Ron97
Drivable on roads vs drive only on tracks
I’d say the price increase is justified with all those changes.
Sooooo cheap!!
The prices so damn high…. Can buy a lot of nice hot ride already. Why Malaysia type r so expensive?
Rich Ah Beng Ricer Car with proper performance parts and original RED H emblem throughout. Niche flagship Honda model.
Better go for its rival models from the Big German Marques la bros,
Mercedes-AMG, BMW M, Audi RS and VW R vehicles.
Better built quality, practicality and overall performance.
Better built quality, practicality and overall performance is excellent. They are status symbols too and more comfortable in the long run compared to Honda’s FK8 Type R.
Iconic car with nice performance but too pricey. Only reserved for the upper middle class Malaysians only. So sad:(
Excellent RV though. Manual gearbox for daily traffic jams will be tiring and troublesome unless the driver is a Honda Purist.
Depends on the clutch really. If this CTR clutch is heavy like FD2R, then confirm kaki patah in jams.
Meaning they slightly de-fanged this gen CTR so that its bearable on normal roads as compared to its race-track hardcore FD2R predecessor.
Bro don’t compare with the outdated, underpowered and long DEAD FD2R bro. FD2R now can melt, crush or sell it off at halfcut shops.
This latest FK8 Should be compared with the current rivals such as AMG A45 and Ford Focus RS and Audi RS3.
No offence ya.
None taken bro.
And yes, CTR has grown to compete with conti hot hatches. But even with all those power upgrades, they basically tamed it for drivers & passengers on normal daily drives (which cant be done w/o godlike levels of NVH tolerances).
No way this FK8 i comparable with the Germans…totally different league…
If in terms of perf (lapping Nurburgring), yeah its up there amongst conti hatches.
Must be for die hard honda fans only. I would just get the WRX. Which ironically, is cheaper.
ok let me make a example, rm300 buy a padini shirt
Wabian…this kind of price…ah beng where got money to buy..unless parents ada wang….for those rich ppl…they wont buy CTR lah…lidat really just top up some buy volvo xc90 better.
Honestly I said that this CHR have their own class even complete with golf r etc. CTR for me is too overly design, too future meh. Compared to golf r, low profile design with hyper inside. Eventually it all depends on buyers. Wherever they want future or simple. No more gaduh2 eh.
ctr costs more than the already mad STI price
finally a manual car yeay!
Honda still afraid to invest a Dual Clutch towards its manufactured “racing car” because why? because they are still new in the market. Turbo also new. The one with long time for turbo like Renault, VW Group (VW Audi Seat Porsche Bugatti). Dont ever say Real Man Drive Three Pedal. to me real man drive Superbike/Sportsbike with manual. It’s a 4 door car, why invest with only Manual. Goodluck bring family at the back and face jam everywhere
Rm320k for a CTR? That’s way overly priced. At that price range, there are so many performance cars out there that can smoke the CTR without breaking a sweat!
Subaru Impreza Wrx Sti is more powerful and more luxurious with the same price ..
Astoinishing superb engineering by Honda..ahead but somehow the alfaromeO’s is “word passion”now &then..or never..
HAIL THE SERPENTS!
UK model? lets google…ah…31k GBP only in UK…
hmm at that price really close to new WRX STI.
i will take the scooby
320k for a thing that looks like a toy. Sucha waste of money.
245/30 tyre/rim sure wanna kill by our poor road. also don’t dare drive to many place.
better go for WRX or A45 AMG.
I rather have Golf R than this overprice car. 100K+- more than previous CTR, how do u justify it Honda My? It is not about GST or tax, is about greedy company that try to take advantage of the car popularity.
Just to note reminder.
This type r is not made in Japan so basically there are more than 10 things deducted including safety features
The engine is also tuned lower.
Funny how honda bodoh downgrade it. Even subaru did not do anything to their wrx sti
those poor people who can’t afford this car please don’t talk so much
Honda Malaysia, can you explain why RM320k? add RM29k get MERCEDES AMG.
faster than FD2R 7sec? NA VS Turbo and lots of new tech great work New Type R
Definitely not worth to buy with the price.
if it’s below 300k might consider 1st of it…
but 320k…holyssss..better to buy a sport german car
If the Casio watch rebrand namely Bolex and the price same with Rolex . Which one you want to buy Bolex or Rolex?
Honda tech is awesome. Respectable car, but way overpriced. It’s a Civic. Should be AWD by now. Ugly rear qtr.
Pm car