Honda Civic Type R 2007 - Present

The Honda Type R is the warm hatch version of the Civic range. It's definitely not up there in the realm of the Hot hatch, although it doesn't try to be. It's been something of a surprise success in the UK, selling about 7000 a year (having expected 1500). The 2006 model came to the table with the same engine as before, which was a bit of a let down. The engine, while racy, doesn't feel very powerful. It revs out easily and quickly but scarcely pushes you back in your seat.

The Type R doesn't have the same Buck Rogers style headlights that other Civics' are lumbered with. It looks sporty, but in a sort of grown up way. You'd expect the person driving to be more likely to wear a sports jacket (with elbow patches), than a hoodie. Once inside the car the controls are all nicely laid out and natural. The materials used are all good quality and look quite stylish. There is a really futuristic feel to the cabin. The seats are comfortable and supportive, although not excessively padded.

Honda's V-tec engine powers the Type R and it uses the variable valve timing to push more power through to the front wheels. It does this well and as long as you're happy to keep pushing your engine you'll find a decent reservoir of power at the higher end of the rev range. The trouble is that driving flat out all the time is not much fun for the driver and is even less amusing for the passengers. The latest revision has seen the burst of power come in slightly earlier, at 5400 revs (as opposed to 6000), and flattened out to make it more usable. The 0-60 time is an impressive 6.6 seconds but as with getting decent power out of the box this is all based around constantly redlining the car and is consequently of little practical use.
The new model has a lower torque output, which is the root of the Type R's problem. Weighing on with 142 Lb-ft of torque means that the Type R has slightly less pull than the Seat Leon 1.4 TSI, a cheaper rival. In the days of constantly quoted power outputs the torque figure has been largely overlooked, but it represents the amount of work the car will be able to do. Engines that offer good torque figures, especially at lower revs, will give an easier drive as the engine is able to take on more work. Cars that have high power outputs, but only quite far up the rev range require cars to be driven harder; not necessarily suitable to pop out to the shops.

Honda's defence of putting out a car with no additional power was based around the great handling of the Type R and this is no idle boast. The sporty Civic handles extremely well and makes short work of corners, for the driver and passengers alike. It's lower and wider than the previous model and encourages the driver to become one with the car. Feeling perfectly balanced the Type R loves cornering and always has the weight distributed in the right places. The suspension is set up for grip more than necessarily comfort and can occasionally feel a tiny bit lumpy but on the whole it removes the vagaries of the road with a great deal of efficiency.

Honda have made a great car with the Type R, but they haven't made on that is practical and usable for everyone. If they were able to generate a higher level of torque and have it pulling at lower revs then the Type R would be a pocket dynamo but as it is the power delivery is still too top heavy to make a really pleasant drive.

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