Civic Type R Euro

The Civic Type R Euro (FN2)

In Japan, the FN2 is the Civic Type R Euro: the Swindon-built three-door hatchback, sold beside the home-built FD2 saloon and named to tell the two apart. The first 2,010 cars went on sale on 5 November 2009, and a second run of 1,500 followed in 2010. It uses the K20Z4, a 2.0-litre i-VTEC four rated at 201 PS at 7,800 rpm and 193 Nm at 5,600 rpm, driving the front wheels through a six-speed manual. Japanese cars have a limited-slip differential as standard, which the basic British car went without.

Beside the FD2, the Euro gives away 24 PS, weighs 60 kg more at 1,320 kg, and has a torsion beam rear axle where the saloon has double wishbones. In return its rear seats fold flat, and its body is the European Civic hatchback's.

What FN2 owners upgrade

FN2 owners buy calipers and pads from the brakes range first, then shift knobs and steering wheels from the interior range. LSD upgrade kits and clutch kits from the drivetrain range are close behind.

For the K20Z4, owners buy intakes and pod filters from the intake range, engine covers, and baffled oil pans from the oil and fuel range, which keep oil at the pickup through long fast corners on track. Spoon, Mugen, Toda, J's Racing, KAAZ and HKS are among the makers owners choose.

Genuine parts

The timing chain and tensioners are worth replacing on a higher-mileage car, and valve clearances left unchecked give a tappy start. A blocked PCV valve makes the idle crackle. Some gearboxes crunch into second. The rear torsion beam can rust and, in bad cases, crack, so look underneath, and check the boot floor too. Power folding mirrors slow down or fail.

A torsion beam, mirror parts and the rest of the car are in our genuine Honda parts catalogue.

Wheels

The Type R Euro came on 18x7.5 +55 wheels with 225/40R18 tyres, on a 5x114.3 bolt pattern with M12 x 1.5 nuts. See wheels that fit the FN2 for the full list.