Remember back in June, when Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) released wind-tunnel and track-test footage of its Civic Type R HRC Concept? Well, recent reports say the modified FL5 could go into production as early as next year. Here’s what we know so far.
According to a report by Japanese automotive outlet Response, the Civic Type R HRC could join Honda’s lineup by 2027, making it the pinnacle of the brand’s high-performance hatchback. Additionally, the ‘standard’ Civic Type R looks set to receive an update in 2026 and could be the platform HRC is using for its own red-badged Civic.
Further supporting a possible 2027 debut is that HRC has been expanding its involvement with production cars, with HRC Concept models introduced at the 2026 Tokyo Auto Salon. The HRC Prelude even made its dynamic debut at the Goodwood Hill Climb just a few months ago.
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As for the actual modifications, HRC has spec’d its Civic Type R with a custom bodykit to improve aerodynamic efficiency. Based on the racing division’s Prelude, these parts would likely be made of carbon fiber, greatly reducing the vehicle’s weight. Suspension and brake upgrades would most likely be in the mix as well.
HRC hasn’t shown what’s under the hood, but a new Akrapovic exhaust is confirmed, which could point to an upgraded intake system and a more aggressive ECU tune. It’s safe to say we can still expect this car to have the K20C1 turbocharged four-cylinder engine, but re-engineered with only track focus in mind.
Overall, this reminds us of the Civic Mugen RR, which took the FD2 Civic Type R formula and transformed it into a sharper, more hardcore track weapon. With this FL5-based project, Honda could be aiming to take back the front-wheel-drive Nürburgring lap record, which was taken by Volkswagen with its Golf GTI Edition 50.
As for the price, reports estimate a sticker tag of around ¥7,000,000 (P2,851,464). That doesn’t sound like a lot for a modified Type R, but for context, the standard Civic Type R costs only ¥6,179,800 (P2,517,206) in Japan, compared to P3,870,000 when it was sold in the Philippines. If the HRC does come through with its Civic in 2027, it might be a Japan-only limited edition—unless Honda decides the rest of us should get a taste of what it’s been cooking.
