The Honda Civic Type R FL5 arrived carrying enormous weight. Not only did it replace the FK8, it launched at a moment when the future of performance cars is rapidly shifting toward electrification.
For many enthusiasts, the FL5 feels like more than just the next Civic Type R. It feels like a closing chapter. A final, fully realised expression of an iconic formula that has defined some of the greatest hot hatches ever made.
A FINAL PURE ICE CIVIC TYPE R?
Honda has never officially confirmed the FL5 as the last internal combustion Type R, but the signs are clear. Stricter emissions regulations and the industry’s push toward electrification mean cars like this are becoming increasingly rare.
The FL5 represents the Type R recipe at its most mature. A turbocharged four-cylinder engine, a proper six-speed manual gearbox, front-wheel drive pushed to its limits, and a chassis designed around balance and driver confidence.
Upon release, the FL5 received widespread praise from the automotive press. Reviewers consistently highlighted its steering precision, composure and genuine driver engagement.
Many described it as one of the greatest hot hatches ever made, placing it firmly among modern performance icons.
WHY THE FL5 IS THE PERFECT BASE FOR SUBTLE MODIFICATION
The FL5 feels exceptionally resolved from the factory. Modifications are not about fixing weaknesses, but enhancing sound, stance and visual presence without diluting the car’s character. Here are the top 5 modifications we recommend for the Honda Civic FL5 Type R.
EVENTURI CARBON INTAKE
The Eventuri carbon intake sharpens throttle response, increases torque and horsepower and transforms induction sound for a more visceral driving experience.
Tegiwa dyno tested the Eventuri intake on an FL5 Civic Type R and recorded 358.9 bhp and 341.6 lb-ft of torque. Compared to the factory output of around 320 bhp and 310 lb-ft, this represents an increase of approximately 40 bhp and 30 lb-ft. As with any dyno testing, results can vary depending on conditions, but it gives a strong indication of the intake’s potential when paired with supporting modifications.
Within this test Eventuri came out on top for the best performing intake, noting that it was also a straight-forward and easy installation.
MILLTEK CAT-BACK EXHAUST
Adding more presence and much-needed character to the FL5’s turbocharged powertrain, the Milltek cat-back exhaust gives the Type R a voice that better reflects its performance. The tone is deeper and more purposeful than stock, with increased volume under load while remaining civilised at cruising speeds. Crucially, the system is designed to work with the factory exhaust valve, preserving the car’s dual personality.
Together, the intake and exhaust complement each other perfectly. Induction noise up front and a richer exhaust note at the rear create a more immersive driving experience, allowing the FL5 to sound as focused as it drives without introducing drone or unwanted aggression.
Listen to how the Milltek Cat-Back Exhaust sounds.
EIBACH PRO-KIT LOWERING SPRINGS
The Eibach Pro-Kit lowering springs are one of the most effective ways to enhance the Honda Civic Type R FL5 without compromising what makes it such a capable road car.
From the factory, the FL5 is set up to work across a wide range of road conditions and markets. That means ride height and spring rates are slightly conservative, prioritising clearance and compliance. The Pro-Kit addresses this by subtly lowering the car and refining the way it sits and responds, while retaining the factory dampers and overall usability.
The Eibach Pro-Kit lowers the FL5 by approximately:
- Front: ~25mm
- Rear: ~20mm
This reduction closes up the arch gap noticeably and gives the car a more purposeful stance, without pushing it into coilover territory. The proportions immediately look more resolved, especially when paired with wider wheels or subtle aero upgrades.
Ride Quality and Handling
Eibach has developed the Pro-Kit specifically to work with the FL5’s OEM adaptive dampers. Spring rates are increased progressively, which means the car remains compliant during normal driving but feels more controlled when pushed.
Body roll is reduced, turn-in feels sharper, and the chassis responds more cleanly through direction changes. Importantly, ride comfort remains very close to stock, making this an ideal upgrade for owners who want improved dynamics without sacrificing daily usability.
Check out this youtube video of how the Pro-Kit sits on an FL5 Type R.
APEX FORGED WHEELS
A set of lightweight wheels is one of the most effective upgrades you can make to the Honda Civic Type R FL5, and this is where Apex Wheels make a measurable difference.
Apex designs its wheels around performance first. Strength, weight reduction and correct fitment take priority, ensuring the wheel works with the car rather than simply changing how it looks. For the FL5, Apex has developed specifications that account for suspension geometry, brake size and factory clearances.
Apex wheels are fully forged, allowing them to be significantly lighter than the factory wheels while maintaining high strength. Reducing unsprung mass directly improves how the car responds to inputs.
Steering becomes sharper, the suspension reacts more quickly to road surfaces, and overall feedback through the chassis improves. These are changes you feel immediately, particularly during fast direction changes or on uneven roads.
Fitment Developed for the FL5
Brake clearance is designed around the FL5’s large front Brembo brakes, while offsets are chosen to widen the car’s stance without introducing rubbing or clearance issues.
When combined with lowering springs, the wheels sit more purposefully within the arches, giving the car a wider and more planted appearance without affecting drivability.
Take a look at a set of 19" Apex VS-5RS on this FL5 Type R, a personal favourite wheel design of ours here at AUTOID.
ADRO CARBON FIBRE AERO
The ADRO carbon aero series for the Honda Civic Type R FL5 is designed to enhance the car’s presence while respecting its original design.
Rather than adding aggression for the sake of it, the ADRO programme focuses on balance and cohesion. The kit consists of a front lip, side skirts, rear diffuser and the AT-R4 swan neck rear wing, all developed to work together as a complete package.
The front lip sharpens the nose and visually lowers the car, while the side skirts connect the design along the body, reducing visual height and improving flow from front to rear. At the back, the carbon diffuser adds depth and structure, replacing the factory plastic component with a more defined and purposeful design.
The AT-R4 swan neck wing is the centrepiece of the package. Mounted from above, it maintains cleaner airflow across the wing surface while adding a strong visual statement without overwhelming the car.
Each component is designed to integrate cleanly with the factory bodywork, using existing contours and mounting points to ensure precise fitment. Whether fitted as a full kit or added progressively, the ADRO carbon aero series gives the FL5 the definition and presence many enthusiasts feel the car deserves.
Watch ADRO run through this kit in more detail.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The Civic Type R FL5 represents the most complete expression of Honda’s front-wheel-drive performance philosophy to date. It arrives at a time when cars like this are becoming increasingly rare, and that alone gives it added significance.
What makes the FL5 such a strong platform is that it doesn’t need correcting. Honda got the fundamentals right. The steering, chassis balance and drivetrain already deliver an engaging and capable driving experience straight out of the box.
The modifications explored here are about refinement rather than reinvention. An intake and exhaust that add character and sound, suspension that sharpens stance and response, lighter wheels that improve precision, and aero that gives the car the visual weight to match its performance. Each change builds on what’s already there, without diluting the identity that makes the Type R special.
Whether the FL5 proves to be the final pure internal combustion Civic Type R or simply the most mature one yet, it deserves to be approached with restraint and intention. Done properly, these upgrades allow the car to feel more resolved, more engaging and more personal, while staying true to the formula that has made the Type R an icon.
Own a Honda Civic Type R FL5? Shop our modifications here.
Need help choosing the best mods for your FL5? Get in touch.
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