When designing the 2017 Civic Type R (known as the FK8), Honda’s engineers had a simple objective: create a hot hatch that would be the fastest front-wheel-drive car around the 12.9-mile Nürburgring track in Germany. Shortly after its introduction, it delivered the goods, completing a lap of the torturous track in 7m 38s.

It has since set lap records at Magny-Cours, in France, and Spa-Francorchamps, in Belgium. Next on the list of record-runs are Britain’s Silverstone, Estoril in Portugal, and the Hungaroring in Hungary.

The FK8 Civic Type R has also won a mountain of accolades and awards. It was crowned Top Gear Magazines Hot Hatch of the Year 2017, it was also voted International Editors’ Choice and overall Car of the Year 2017. What Car? also awarded the Type R its Hot Hatch of the Year award. It won the 2018 Auto123 Sport Compact of the Year, Kelly Blue Boiok’s 2019 Best Buy: Compact Car, 2019 Car and Driver’s 10Best Cars, and the Edmunds Buyers Most Wanted Award for 2019.

So … what’s next? How can such an iconic performance car get even better?

The new 2020 Civic Type R incorporates numerous changes to improve its already stellar driving dynamics, including new two-piece brake rotors and new brake pads designed to reduce fade and improve high-speed braking efficiency. Suspension revisions for 2020 will include updated dampers for better ride comfort, stiffer rear bushings for better grip, and a new front suspension housing bracket to reduce friction and improve steering feel.

Exterior design enhancements will also include a new larger front grille opening for improved engine cooling, and the 2020 model will be available in a new, Type R-exclusive Boost Blue.

For the 2020 model year, drivers can also expect added refinement, including a new Alcantara™-wrapped steering wheel and a new shifter with a restyled knob and shorter shift throws. The 2020 Civic Type R also adds the Honda Sensing® suite of safety and driver-assistive technologies, marking the first time that Honda Sensing® will be available as standard equipment on all Civic models and trims.

Under the hood, the 2020 Civic Type R continues to draw power from a race-bred 2.0-litre direct-injected and turbocharged 4-cylinder engine with VTEC™ valvetrain putting out a peak 306-horsepower and 295 lb.-ft. of torque, with power to the front wheels delivered through a close-ratio 6-speed manual transmission and limited-slip differential.

As before, drivers can choose between three driving modes – Comfort, Sport and +R – that vary suspension firmness, steering and throttle response. New for 2020 is Active Sound Control, which modifies interior sound in concert with chosen drive mode. The Type R’s selectable drive modes and sophisticated design make it both a thrilling companion on a mountain road or a racetrack and a remarkably civilized daily driver with a degree of flexibility unmatched in its competitive set, especially at the price.

Additional information about the Canadian-spec 2020 Civic Type R will be available closer to its on-sale date later this year. For your chance to experience the Type R first-hand, click the TEST DRIVE Button below. Don’t you think you deserve it?

2019 U.S. Model Featured

Please Note: The details of this article were accurate at the time it was written. Manufacturers may change the details of any vehicle’s specifications, at any time, without notice.