Does Honda’s sporty Type R inject some more athleticism into the Civic, ponders Al Suttie?
1 – With wings, spoilers, slats, vents, grilles, diffuser and quad tailpipes, the Civic Type R is about as subtle as a sawn-off shotgun.
2 – It’s about as quick as a blast from a ‘shooter’ too thanks to 310hp to see it from 0-62mph in 5.7 seconds and a 168mph top speed.
3 – This makes the Civic the fastest front-drive hot hatch of the moment, but more impressive is its overtaking pace.
4 – Use the slick six-speed manual and 7000rpm rev limit to full effect and there’ s not much will keep up.
5 – This is the Type R’s real appeal: you get touring car style with serious pace yet it can seat four and has a huge boot.
6 – It questions the need for more compromised sports cars and coupes, though some might find the style a little ‘in yer face’.
7 – It’s distinctive in the front cabin, too, with those sports seats that can be a bit tricky to haul yourself out of.
8 – Our 8000-mile test car’s driver’s seat was already showing wear on the right-hand bolster, but the seats are terrifically supportive.
9 – Refinement is decent for such a focused machine, with only road noise intrusive on coarser grained roads.
10 – The Type R is pricier and less efficient than the Seat Leon Cupra 290, but the Honda is by far the better hot hatch.
