Honda · FD2

Honda Civic Type R FD2

The JDM-only FD2 took the Type R formula into a genuinely stiffened four-door sedan body, pairing the high-revving K20A with a specially reinforced chassis that made it one of the most track-capable sedans ever sold.

Honda Civic Type R FD2

Spec Sheet

Generation / Chassis Code
FD2
Years Produced
2007–2010
Manufacturer
Honda
Country
Japan
Body Style
4-door sedan
Engine
2.0L inline-4 (K20A, DOHC i-VTEC)
Horsepower
222 hp
Torque
159 lb-ft
Transmission
6-speed manual
Drivetrain
FWD
Weight
~2,850 lbs
0–60 mph
~6.0 seconds
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History

Rather than adapting the global hatchback Civic Type R, Honda built a bespoke, more rigid sedan-specific platform for the Japanese market FD2, complete with its own dedicated front and rear suspension geometry tuned specifically for circuit performance.

Why It Became Famous

Its JDM-only, sedan-specific chassis engineering made it more track-focused than any other Civic Type R generation sold globally at the time, and it set benchmark lap times for front-wheel-drive sedans at Japanese circuits.

Strengths

  • K20A i-VTEC engine revs to a thrilling 8,000 rpm with strong top-end power
  • Bespoke, more rigid sedan chassis specifically engineered for circuit driving
  • Excellent factory brakes and suspension tuning for its era
  • Genuine motorsport-grade handling balance for a four-door car

Weaknesses

  • Never sold outside Japan, so all examples are grey-market imports elsewhere
  • No factory turbo, so power depends on high rpm and driver commitment
  • Firm, track-focused suspension trades away some ride comfort
  • Values have risen as JDM-only Honda demand has grown globally

Common Problems

  • VTEC solenoid and timing chain wear on high-mileage, hard-driven examples
  • Worn motor mounts amplifying vibration over time
  • Suspension bushing wear affecting the car's renowned handling precision
  • Track and time-attack wear on examples used for their intended purpose

Modification Potential

Strong within the K-series tuning community — cams, individual throttle bodies, and built K20A internals are well supported, and it remains a favorite for time-attack sedan builds.

Buying Guide

Verify genuine JDM import documentation, check for track-day wear and modification history, and confirm suspension and brake components haven't been worn out from hard circuit use.

Enthusiast Popularity Today

Highly respected among Honda purists and time-attack enthusiasts as one of the sharpest-handling front-wheel-drive sedans ever built.

Fun Facts

  • Honda engineered a unique, more rigid chassis specifically for the JDM FD2 rather than reusing the global hatchback platform
  • It set front-wheel-drive lap records at circuits including Suzuka during its production run
  • The K20A engine in the FD2 was tuned specifically for higher output than the K20A used in other markets' Civic Type Rs