The hate the type R gets is funny now 😂. I dive down the road with my fk8 and everyone looks and even take picture because it stands out now. try that with another up to date hot hatch like Ford Focus RS an nobody cares. It's the truth so I don't care what anyone has to say
Advantages of the FK8: +Comfort Mode (big advantage), +Rev-Match, +Cup-Tyres as stock-option, +lower seats with less side "impact", +rear suspension, +more aggressive look at the front Advantages of the FK2: +feels more raw/mechanical/urgent (as said in many different tests), +more precise steering feel (many tests say that), +more hugging seats, +oil temperature displayed, +rarer car (as just produced for about a year) ... hard decision... as FK2 owner it's probably worth to wait until an upgraded version of the fk8 arrives. What do you think?
Comfort Mode is really useful, and all the other bits and bobs you mention are really, really valuable, but the rev-match is a bit of a novelty. To be honest, if you didn't already have an FK2 I'd say buy the FK8 because it is MEGA, but stick with the FK2. They're rarer, as you said, and jumping from an FK2 to an FK8 isn't the same leap as FN2 to FK2.
Im also waiting for upgraded fk8 and (if) it's finally raw/mechanical/urgent as my fk2 I will upgrade. but only if. I believe making it more comfortable(which they did) they compromise the basics. also sold in usa. not good buying a car sold in the usa as well. something is not good when type-r is global model for 1st time.
@@newmotoring The real difference is the rear independent suspension. There is no performance reason why Honda put a torsion beam in the FN2 and then the FK2. It is a cost saving measure only. My opinion, the FK8 is great looking from the front but the rear looks like they ran out of ideas. My question is this, is the FK8 worth the difference in price over the FK2.
The reason the looks changed so much was becuase the UK didnt get the former type r FD2 that japanese got that was the medium stage between styling and pwer.
Thank you for an excellent video. The FK2 did very little for me as I though the styling was tacky and I don't like the idea of torsion beam rear suspension on a serious hot hatch. The FK8 though is a car I really aspire to own, I love the styling and I like the idea of a comfort mode that is actually comfortable to compliment sport and +R modes which is only possible thanks to independent rear suspension. I'm not sure if I'll ever have a new one but I will have a FK8 one day.
I love my FK8, I wish they sold the FK2 in the US becuase I actually like the FK2 front end a little better with those pronounced fender flares but the FK8 still looks sexy to me I love it :P Driving wise, the FK8 is like a FWD porsche GT3 car... absolutely incredible in handling. It is not slow either, has more than enough power for the street.
Fk8 much more precise and planted. I get the extra theatre you might get from an fk2 but most of that character is built upon flaws. Torque steer and rev hang unacceptable to me, hence my fk8
Well done mate, that was another great review. I've owned accord type r , got an few and integra dc5 at moment. I think my few is a brilliant effort and has provided me excellent service and driving. But when the chips are down its not in same league as accord. Or anywhere as monstrously fierce as dc5.
Drag race would be interesting...or not. I'd hope the laggy throttle of the FK2 has been resolved for the FK8. Wish I'd kept my FK2 though, great hot hatch.
No, but I've had 3 EP3's, an FN2 and a S2000. Always wanted to have a go in an Integra, I believe the dc5 had the EP3 engine and renowned for being the ultimate FWD car.
Now that the dust settled we are seeing more unbiased reviews like this. I see no reason to trade my FK2 for FK8. I don't want to repeat the mistake of trading the EP3 for FN2
Have no chance to drive the FK8. I am in Portugal and Honda Portugal changed hands and in result nobody knows the price, the delivery times, specifications, .... Thus, I am looking forward for the 2018 Megane RS AW steering that will smash all Nürburgring lap records
dont buy a performance car if you want a plush comfy ride. don't buy a Japanese performance car if you don't want mid 90's style aesthetics. if you can jock a car properly, man behind would need to be on the same level as you or a 911 type car to keep up down a back road.
You make a good point about potentially still being NA, I had never thought of it before but I guess Honda could have potentially used the 270hp 3.5 V6 manual (from the Accord coupe) in the great style of the Alfa GTA and Golf R32. A V6 Civic Type R would have been very, very interesting and still given the prerequisite power.
Maybe the FK8 if you have it in black and you want something that looks like the Batmobile. You wouldn't even need to mod it, except for installing the weapons!
If truth be told, Fk2 the more aggressive and better car. FK8 great comfortable all rounder with a few improvements needed for global sale...well actually America targeted especially. In my opinion, Honda next move should aim at 370+bhp, AWD with DSG or manual option and reach out to potential buyers who don't want FWD, those who do go for the FK8, which let's be honest current generation will run at Swindon for years to come with no such thing as limited stock - Supply and demand will decide FK8 fate! In comparison the FK2 production finished months ago as planned resulting in one of the rarest of all Type Rs which means truly limited in numbers and makes it the most special of Type Rs 1st Turbo - the collectible keeper! Also while I remember, let's not forgot about the new Megane RS rumoured utilising 4 wheel steering, could well be a good competitor and due release 2018. I'm not sure if Ford plan on doing another RS anytime soon, I know there's a limited LSD run for America. So in reality, right now couldn't be a better time for Honda to start experimenting with AWD system and release a Type R edition limited and test the waters....well let's be realistic all Honda engineers need to do is utilise the best of FK2 and FK8 more power, awd, dsg keep the weight down best they can and aim for 40k MSRP.....surely on to a winner going down that road....
FK8 is still aggressive, it just has some extra capability at the comfort end of the scale. Do you think Honda will ditch FWD for the next Type R then? FK2 will be a special car for years to come - you're right, so few were built relative to how many FK8s there will be. Doubt Ford will do a new RS for a few years - new Focus, followed by ST first and then RS. But an experimental, limited edition AWD FK8 would be fun to see! Thanks Mark, awesome stuff. SW
NewMotoring I would be very much surprised if Honda haven't already experimented with awd and dsg automatic gearbox in an Fk8 chassis, but let's be mindful going down that road completely new territory for Honda specifically for the Type R, However Turbo in the FK2 was new territory, Honda gave it a try and it worked out well. There's absolutely nothing wrong with fwd and manual gearbox in both FK2 and FK8. Car manufacturers who offer awd, dsg are simply targeting a much wider audience which makes complete sense. I know many are adamant awd, dsg so much better, but in reality it isn't superior anymore, however does offer a different driving experience, but many set in their ways and won't consider a car unless awd and dsg so surely at some point Honda will be forced to change their ways. I know many Type R owners already think fwd has reached its limits. I get everyone has their own likes and dislikes so it kinda puts Honda in a difficult situation with what to do. If Honda considered awd and maybe toned down the styling a little they'd surely be onto a winner but could they keep the weight down and make it commercially viable in terms of making a profit....I think that's the real issue here - awd, dsg doesn't particular make a good track focused race car for the road which is what the Type R all about. Maybe a completely new model is needed but doing so could easily put a nail in the Type R coffin so any potential awd, dsg toned down new model range needs careful consideration indeed!!
NewMotoring their head of development for the type r said (in a video I saw on one of honda's official channels) that AWD wasn't off the table when they first started looking at the fk8 but they decided that it would be more suited to the type r "tradition" to keep it fwd. personally, I don't care, I've driven the fk2 and after having driven friends various RWD BMWs and an RS, I still think the fk2 is a beast and I'll be test driving the fk8 next week before deciding which of the 2 I'll be buying in the new year 💪🏼
Still think the FK2 looks the best plus its somehow more of a Type R than the new one , the new FK8 has wider seats for are bigger friends and OMG a comfort setting in a Type R what is the world coming to :) plus its got an electronic braking brake how on earth are you going to do hand brake turns
The seats didn't feel any bigger that the FK2's (perhaps they're bigger in the US but not in Europe?), and the comfort setting makes it a better car to live with (it's still a lunatic when you want it to be!), but agreed with your point about the hand brake... HAND BRAKE TURNS ARE ESSENTIAL!
sinngsg9 I don't know how small of a frame you have to have to complain about the seats feeling bigger, and nobody will admit it but a hard suspension setting like 'track' just isn't pleasant in a daily driver. They didn't take it away, they gave us more options. This is the wrong car to do hand break turns in, if you want the rear end to swing around either go balls to the wall on a back road or buy a 240 like the rest of us. Sorry about the rant.
Is the shade of blue offered in Europe different than in the US (or is it just an extra colour)? I quite like the deeper blue better than this lighter blue.
I love Hondas, and this baby is a real bad boy - but they just couldn't stop designing the bodywork. God, it's got so many folds and creases that it looks like metal origami. Looking at your film is interesting, because the old car is far more handsome.
I do wish Japanese manufacturers would do what VW and BMW do, and maintain their brand identity by going with evolution, rather than revolution, looks wise. I really liked the old Vindaloo Civic - all they needed to do was jam the new engineering smarts in a slightly updated body and away you go.
Its a false statement that Honda could not have got efficiency from an NA engine. They could have with their K24 engine. BMW were doing that for years before they started turbocharging: increasing capacity but increasing fuel efficiency
what a stupid comment. No one cares. Will your beloved RS still be on the road in years to come? Probably not. The FK8 will still be ticking over. Have you ever driven an FK8? Probably not..
I find AWD far less challenging to drive fast relative to FF, so which one is really for nans? Both the FK2 and FK8 consistently put in quicker lap times than the RS on track, have more rear hatch space and have a far nicer interior (RS's is hideous for the price point). The Focus RS is better in inclement weather, stoplight drag racing and has a better soundtrack as standard. Failing to see how it's "so much better" than either of the Civics to be honest. All 3 are great cars really.
@@wildchilde69 sorry but which AWD cars are you suggesting are less challenging and rewarding? There are AWD cars that are far more fun and playful than a fwd car as they can power oversteer on demand or even by accident and wag the tail unlike fwd cars which are totally one dimensional by way of physics.
Great review and very unbiased. I drove an FK2 briefly but own a DC5. I must say the FK8 looks more like a Integra evolution than a civic due to the body. I prefer the FK8 but the rear is a a little OTT, maybe I'm getting old. I'm hoping they can do something with a new S2000 release. Amazing engineering and car though.
Thank you! The rear of the FK8 is A LOT to take in, but the way it drives is excellent. It's breadth of abilities is staggering. And don't worry, people at Honda are desperate for a new S2000 too!
NewMotoring I agree about the back. Its too fussy. They got the styling front of the FK8 right which looks quietly aggressive and confident. Must admit it does look good in Night hawk black... 😎
