In 2022, jaws dropped when Honda announced the starting price of the 'FL5' Civic Type R as £46,995 - £15,000 more than the 'FK8' had cost six years earlier.
It was an example of supply economics: numbers were limited in Europe due to CO2 emissions regulations (the Type R emits 186g/km), so even at that inflated price demand outstripped supply.
Even now, used cars start from around £35,000, or similar money to the equally acclaimed swansong Ford Focus ST Edition.
Beneath the FL5's calmer styling are fundamentals from the FK8, but this was more than a mere reskin. As for the chassis, the wheelbase is a touch longer, the track is 15mm wider and torsional rigidity is 15% greater.
Moving to the turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder VTEC engine, the flywheel is lighter and the air intake capacity greater, resulting in slightly stronger peak outputs of 325bhp at 6500rpm and 310lb ft at 2200rpm (up 9bhp and 15lb ft).
As before, all of that is sent to the front axle via a fabulous six-speed manual gearbox and a mechanical limited-slip differential, while the brakes are four-piston Brembos.
The only disappointment was that the Type R gained weight between its generations, primarily due to the mandated addition of a petrol particulate filter - which also had a negative effect on the exhaust note.
Nonetheless, the FL5 feels like a racing homologation special on the road - like the FK8, only more so. To get the best out of it - the most satisfaction and feedback - you need to drive it hard, so it's a hot hatch for a serious driver who wants to extend it on challenging roads.
When you do uncork the Type R, you will find beautifully fluid suspension, which in combination with communicative steering makes pushing on intuitive and natural. It sticks to the road like no front-driven car has a right to - and has the power to really shoot you out of corners.
You soon get into a rhythm, with a real driver and machine relationship building, just like in any of the other all-time performance car greats.
You can choose from Comfort, Sport and +R modes; Comfort is all you really need in the UK, but there's also an Individual mode (unlike in the FK8) that lets you separately tweak things such as the engine note, steering weight, damper stiffness and more.
Whichever way you go, the FL5 is particularly good at making you feel at ease. The driving position is near enough spot on and the control weights feel just right. The comfortable and supportive seats locate you low enough to give a sports car feel, while offering plenty of adjustment, and other familiar touches like an aluminium gearknob and Alcantara-wrapped steering wheel are pleasing to touch and amp up the engagement factor.
