4 minute read
Honda Civic Type R
FORECOURT HONDA CIVIC TYPE R
Power
The Civic’s 2.0-litre engine pumps out 325bhp and 420Nm of torque.
The new Civic Type R brings a power boost as well as exterior tweaks and some up-to-date technology. Jack Evans put one of them to the test.
WHAT IS IT?
When it comes to performance hot hatches, the Civic Type R has always been one of the key players. However, things move on, which brings us to this new version that aims to be more direct and powerful but still just as engaging.
WHAT’S NEW?
The previous Type R was well known for its outlandish styling but things have been toned down for this generation. Inside, we’ve got a significant upgrade in the form of a new infotainment system – brought straight from the standard Civic.
It’s a little bit larger in all respects, too, while a new ‘Individual’ mode – allowing you to pick and choose between the various settings – is a great addition.
WHAT’S UNDER THE BONNET?
You might think that with the rest of Honda’s line-up going hybrid-only, the beating heart of the Type R would be some sort of electrically assisted setup. But no. Instead, we’ve got a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine, which is likely to be the last time that we’ll see such a unit in a Civic.
WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DRIVE?
Slot yourself into the nicely bolstered bucket seats and it’s not hard to feel at home as soon as you’re in the Civic Type R. The controls are well placed, too, with the delightfully tactile metal gearshifter for the six-speed manual gearbox being a particular highlight. On the move, and in its softest setting, the Type R handles the roads well, while the engine now feels even keener to get going than before. It scythes through corners with real verve, and that brilliantly weighted gearshift brings a whole lot of engagement.
Refinement isn’t the best, mind you, with large levels of road and wind noise inside the cabin – although it is a performance hot hatch, after all. The front end feels sharper and more direct than before, too, while switching into more aggressive driver modes enhances this. For road driving, however, we’d resist going for the sportier damping setting, as it just makes the Type R too uncomfortable and unforgiving.
THE KNOWLEDGE
Honda Civic Type R
Power: 325bhp
Torque: 420Nm
Max speed:
170 mph
O-60mph:
5.2 seconds
MPG (combined):
34.4mpg
Emissions:
186g/km CO2
of its predecessor and, to us, it’s likely that’ll make it appeal to a much wider audience. There’s still a very large rear wing, but it’s a wholeheartedly toned-down affair. But that’s not to say it’s boring. The blocky front end has some serious presence, while the rear’s trio of exhaust outlets lends some proper drama to it.
WHAT’S IT LIKE INSIDE?
The fundamentals remain unchanged. The bucket seats are still wonderfully supportive, while the controls have been well judged where they’re placed. The pedal spacing, for example, is spot-on. For us, though, it feels like you’re sitting slightly higher up than before, and it’d be nice to be able to go a little lower. There’s a decent amount of space in the rear, while the 410-litre boot is bang-on in terms of capacity and shape.
WHAT’S THE SPEC LIKE?
Prices for the Civic Type R start from £46,995, which is quite a sizeable tag for a car of this type and a significant rise on the £32,820 for the previous generation. That said, it’s pleasing that Honda has really upgraded the infotainment system, which was such a sore point on the old model. It’s got Apple CarPlay too, as well as a new ‘Performance Monitor’
that can relay all sorts of key information such as water temperature and brake pressure back to the driver. You’ve also got Honda’s full Sensing suite of driver safety aids.
WHAT DO THE PRESS THINK?
Top Gear said: ‘The Civic Type R can function as your only car, yet is as thrilling as most bespoke sports cars. Stunning to drive. Now distressingly expensive.’
WHAT DO WE THINK?
The new Civic Type R is, yet again, a hit. It’s staggeringly good to drive, with levels of engagement that you just don’t tend to get in this size of car. Now accompanied by muchimproved technology, it’s a hot hatch that could quite easily transform the dreariest, most mundane drives into something really special.
That price is a real hitch, mind you, as it does push the Civic Type R out of the more attainable realms that it once occupied. However, for those happy to stump up the extra outlay, this is one seriously impressive hot hatch.
Cabin
The bucket seats are very supportive but it would be nice to adjust them to go a little lower. Pedal spacing is perfect.
Style
The trio of exhaust outlets gives the rear of the car some real drama.
TARGET BUYERS:
Performance car fans and true die-hard Type R enthusiasts.
THE RIVALS:
Hyundai i30 N Volkswagen Golf R Audi RS3
KEY SELLING POINTS:
1. Better to look at than before 2. Much-improved tech 3. Fantastic manual gearbox
DEAL CLINCHER:
It’s a terrific example of a dying breed.
