While there are murmurings that the 2030 new petrol and diesel car ban is softening in time for the next general election, it still feels like we’re at a crossroads for the internal combustion engine itself. So, after receiving the hot hatch legend that is the Toyota GR Yaris almost three years ago, we are being spoilt with the launch of another icon – the sixth generation of the Honda Civic Type R.
So, if you can get past the near £50,000 price when running it on business, and 12-month plus waiting list, should you?
Before we answer that, Honda has been building Civic Type Rs for 25 years, but despite the pressure of rivals that have adopted four-wheel drive and twin-clutch automatic gearboxes, this fast Honda’s formula has remained pleasingly unchanged – with front-drive and a manual gearbox.
Outside, the latest Type R, or FL5, looks toned down from its wild predecessor the FK8. Personally, we think the new car is restrained for the better. However, you still get blistered arches to house the Type R’s 19in alloys, more aggressive front and rear air dams and that tall rear spoiler perched above this Civic’s boot. While it looks far less angry, we’d go as far as to describe the new look as slipperier and cleaner. More interesting is that this Type R produces extra downforce over the lairy FK8.
Inside, you get the same mesh-trimmed, horizontally styled dashboard as the standard Civic, with its 9in Honda CONNECT infotainment screen on top, and another 10.2in screen for the instruments in front of you. Elsewhere, there’s a tall centre console, with what turns out to be a perfectly placed gear lever for the six-speed manual. In fact, Honda has really thought about the Civic Type R’s touchpoints – with Alcantara trim for the multifunctional three-spoke steering wheel and metal gear knob.
The driving position is perfect, helped by the excellent set of front sports seats. All-round visibility is also good – even the rear spoiler doesn’t interrupt the view like you would expect. It is less special in the back of this Civic, but the same level of spaciousness as the standard car remains – so think good levels of head and legroom for two. The boot is also practical, with 470 litres, and can be extended to 1,212 litres with the rear seat folded.
Underneath, the highlight is this Civic’s tweaked K20C1 engine, the 2.0-litre turbocharged VTEC now boasts more power (324hp) and more torque (420Nm). This firecracker of an engine is matched to a snappy and precise six-speed manual gearbox. On the road, when properly warmed up, it’s the engine and gearbox that impress first. This turbocharged four-cylinder sounds sporty and combined with the slick gearbox is remarkably fast and tractable. So much so, you must keep an eye on the speedo to make sure you’re staying within the law.
On the move, it’s the resolved ride that catches your attention. Then the amount of speed you can carry through corners will make your jaw drop, thanks in part to the standard fit limited slip differential and how accurate the steering is. There are driving modes, but the +R is only for track use as this is where the suspension and dampers are at their hardest. The only chink in this Civic’s armour, is when it rains; you’ve only got power to the front wheels. Individual is another mode better suited to normal road conditions, as all the settings are turned up to +R levels, with just the steering in Normal or Sport modes. We found Comfort mode best in everyday use.
So, believe the hype; the latest Honda Civic rewrites the hot hatch rulebook and it seems Honda saved the best for last as far as Civic Type R versions. With its 37% BIK figure, it’s always going to be a marginal user-chooser fleet choice – then, there might not be anything like it again.
Honda Civic Type R
P11D: £48,900
Residual value: 38.8%
Depreciation: £29,914
Fuel: £11,405
Service, maintenance and repair: £3,717
Cost per mile: 75.06p
Fuel consumption: 34.4mpg
CO2 (BIK %): 189g/km (37%)
BIK 20/40% a month: £301/£603
Luggage capacity: 470 litres
Engine size/power: 1,996cc/324hp
