Not Just Another Fast Civic
German tuning company Dragy demonstrates just how much headroom exists in the Civic Type R FL5’s factory platform. The so-called “Stage 3” build that retains a completely stock engine internally, yet delivers supercar-level acceleration figures. Rather than opening the motor, the build focuses on airflow, turbocharging, and fueling upgrades to extract maximum output from the factory K20C1 architecture.
The hardware list is serious: Hondata cams, an Eventuri carbon intake and carbon charge pipe, BEDR components, and a larger MHI Stage 2 turbocharger. Boost is set at 2.2 bar (32 psi) and runs on E85 ethanol to support higher cylinder pressures and improved knock resistance. Output is claimed at 620 horsepower and 535 lb-ft of torque at the crank.
Despite retaining the stock clutch and transmission, the car weighs a full 1,451 kg (3,200 lbs) and rips from 60–130 mph in just 7.18 seconds, an eye-opening figure for a front-wheel-drive hatchback.
No Stranger to Performance
The Type R badge is no stranger to performance credibility. The FL5 generation builds on decades of development, refining the formula of a high-output turbocharged four-cylinder, front-wheel drive, and a precise six-speed manual transmission. It remains one of the last analog performance cars in a segment increasingly dominated by dual-clutch gearboxes and electrification. Even in stock form, the FL5 delivers benchmark chassis rigidity, advanced dual-axis front suspension geometry, and serious track capability.
At its core lies a derivative of Honda’s venerable K20 lineage, an engine family that has earned a reputation for strength, high-RPM durability, and tuning tolerance. While the Type R has been discontinued in several global markets due to tightening emissions regulations, it continues in the United States through at least the 2026 model year with updates. That continued production makes builds like this Stage 3 example especially relevant for enthusiasts looking to push the platform while it remains accessible.
HRC
The Last Civic Type R?
The FL5 may wear a Civic badge, but its engineering margin is anything but ordinary. Extracting 620 crank horsepower from a stock long block while retaining factory clutch and gearbox components speaks volumes about the K20 platform’s inherent robustness. Achieving a blistering sprint at full street weight places it in territory typically reserved for high-end sports cars.
However, builds at this level are rarely inexpensive. Between upgraded turbo hardware, ethanol fueling, airflow components, and calibration, the cost escalates quickly, sometimes rivaling the price delta between a Civic and a purpose-built performance car. Still, when tuned correctly, the FL5 transforms from a capable hot hatch into a legitimate high-horsepower weapon.
Honda
