Civic Type-R Wins Hot Hatch Award
August 2, 2007 by George Skentzos
UK magazine Auto Express has awarded the new Honda Civic Type-R the Best Hot Hatch award.
Outshining turbocharged rivals from Renault, Ford and Mini, the Type-R proved that it is a case of finesse over force when it comes to producing a hot hatch.
Unlike most other hot hatches such as the Mazda3 MPS and Ford XR5, the red hot Type-R was not an afterthought. It was built from the ground up to be pure adrenaline pumping performance.
Despite its naturally aspirated 2.0L VTEC engine, it still develops a healthy 148kW – enough to put its force-fed rivals to shame.
“The Civic also scores in the design stakes, too – it could almost be described as automotive sculpture. A worthy winner of this year’s title.”
Honda Australia imports 1200 Civic Type Rs a year from Honda UK’s manufacturing plant in Swindon. The three-door hatchback gets 148kW from its 2.0-litre i-VTEC engine and retails from a recommended retail price of $39,990.
Print it: 
I think it needs to be in the running for the “Ugliest Rear End” Award :p
Most would spend an extra 15k on an r32 Golf in my opinion or just get a GTi with DSG if they were into FWD. It doesn’t matter though, the Sportback Evo will probably take the crown upon its release in the next 12 months or so.
The Corolla Blade with 3.5 v6 is out in Japan. Wonder if it will come to Aust. 208kw but FWD, worse setup than Mazda3 MPS.
You sure the blade is only FWD? Maybe there is one variant I dont know but Im certain it comes in AWD as well… youd hope so with 200kw in a relatively light car.
Here is a link from this site as well:
http://www.caradvice.com.au/28.....rolla-awd/
I do this theyd bring it out here, would give the Corolla abit more cred because atm it has absolutely nothing. A 200kw AWD Hatch on the other hand…. now that would be something, nothing like it so far (R32 has like 180kw, XR5 160kw etc)
Yes, atm in Japan the 3.5 v6 version only has FWD, while the AWD version comes only with 2.4. The v6 version doesn’t have manual either, it has a 6 speed sequential shift. Not sure abt the 2.4 tho.
Hmmm interesting… would have thought logically you give the 2.4 the FWD and something putting out 200kw like the V6 AWD. Eitherway Id still consider a 200kw FWD Corolla… although you wouldnt want it to be R32 territory in terms of price, more against the Civic Type R.
The Civic Type R looks good, sounds good, feels good, but isn’t really that great a bargain if you are after bfyb. The styling is unique but you will get sick of it soon enough. The Mazda 3 MPS wins my vote out of all hot hatches. Why? It is made in Japan so has everything Jap car makers are great at. It also is more practical and has an engine with double the torque of the Civic. Engineering in the Mazda 3 MPS is in fact superior to the Civic Type R. If you compare the MPS to the SP23 which used to be the top of the rabge Mazda 3, the amount of enhancements are staggering and well worth the money you pay over the SP23. It is NOT even close to an afterthought! Have a look at Mazda Japan’s website and you will see all the development (videos) that has gone into making the FWD Mazda 3 MPS a successful FWD formula, putting down performance figures that punches well above its class. The recent gruelling Targa Tasmania event speaks for itself, with Rick Bates piloting a virtually stock Mazda 3 MPS to 10th position out of 100+cars over 6 gruelling all-weather gruelling days. The cars that finished ahead and behind the Mazda 3 MPS are some serious seasoned race cars including Porsches, Lambos, Evos and WRXs.
Compared to the Civic Type R though, the Mazda 3 MPS has a much more advanced and expensive independant rear suspension, Torsen LSD (extremely important in a hi-performance FWD), bigger brakes from Volvo S60(320mm fronts – same size as Evo’s Brembos), extremely rigid chassis thanks to Volvo and all the extra chassis bracing and thicker bars. Engine sweet spot in the Mazda 3 MPS is between 2500-5000rpm whereas the Civic is 5400-8000rpm. Which would be easier to get moving when negotiating hills and overtaking on the freeway? The Civic would require 3 down changes to get the car moving at pace and even then it’s 193nm vs 380nm. Scenario gets worse for the Civic when you have a boot full of lugguage or 3 mates on board.
Some say Golf GTI, but until you try keeping a European car you would not know how ridiculously expensive they are to maintain and keep. R32 imo is rubbish. Overpriced, porky – poor performer and like the Golf will cost you an arm and leg to maintain and keep. It does look nice though and is luxurious but that’s the end of it as you will get sick of it soon enough anyway.
Mazda 3 MPS is king.
This result is an absolute joke. I’ve owned a 3 MPS since last November, and test driven the Golf GTI, R32, S3, Focus XR5, and VXR, and would rate all of these cars above the civic. The civic feels like the world is in slow motion against all of the above, especially the MPS. Sure the VTEC sounds intoxicating, and adds a bit of extra shove above 5400RPM, but overall its quite lethargic. A hot hatch comparison should be treated as exactly that. The GTI for example has won many comparisions on how supple it’s suspension is, and on the quality of its interior plastics, etc. This is not where a hot hatch comparision should be won and lost. It’s won and lost on the drag strip, around corners, how well it stops, how involving the chassis is, in-gear acceleration, and general real life conditions. After taking all these into account, the MPS has no equal in my opinion.
So you haven’t test driven the Civic Type R then Nick? Big claims your making if this is the case…
I did drive the Civic Type R. In isolation, it’s not a bad car, but back to back against the MPS, i was disappointed. You could definately feel the 187 Nm defecit. Also felt that the rear of the car was really nervous over any bumps or less than perfect roads when pushed hard. Seating position was also way too high for my liking, despite it having great seats. Dont get me wrong, there is a lot to like about the Type R, but in my opinion, I would not rate it over the MPS, XR5, VXR, Megane, GTI, etc
Had a 3 MPS for a while now, and love it to bits.
Have to say that IMO the Civic is probably one of the ugliest cars on the road. Test drove one (along with a seat leon cupra, astra VXR, golf GTI etc. etc.) And can’t say I realy understan how anyone can say the Civic is better, Especially when you have passengers in the car, realy seems to make it feel laggy.
MPS is the winner in my opinion.
M