Honda Civic Type R

Startling looks and a new handling party trick come with a hefty price-tag.

Rating: 3.5/5

Price: From $41,990 plus on-road/dealer costs

Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder, 148kW/193Nm, six-speed manual, 9.3 L/100km, 219g/km CO2, FWD

What it has: Limited slip differential, tyre deflation warning system, parking sensors, single CD tuner with USB port and aux jack, dual-climate control, cruise control, a trip computer, bodykit, rear wing, alloy wheels, red footwell lighting, six airbags and stability control

For: Limpet-like handling; limited slip diff works; sounds racy and looks racy; spaceship-like styling yet surprisingly functional cabin.

Against: Price; hard ride; some outward visibility problems.

Not all cars are about functionality and efficiency. Some, like the Honda Civic Type R, emphasise the fun factor.

Launched here in 2007, the British-built hot hatch has just been updated with a Torsen limited slip differential (LSD) to help keep the front wheels gripping in corners.

What do you get?

The Type R is based on the Civic three-door hatchback and is built only at Honda's Swindon plant in Britain. To confuse matters, the popular Civic sedan comes from Thailand and shares only some mechanicals with the hatch.

Apart from the LSD, the R's new equipment list includes a tyre deflation warning system, parking sensors, an auxiliary jack, USB port and red footwell lighting. Dual-zone climate control, cruise control, a trip computer, a single-CD tuner, a bodykit including surfboard rear wing and alloy wheels are already standard. A full-sized spare tyre is not.

Despite so few changes, the list price has risen $2000 to $41,990.

How safe?

The reverse parking sensors are an important safety addition considering the limited visibility the Type R offers.

Other standard safety equipment includes six airbags, stability control and anti-lock brakes. The Civic hatch has collected the maximum five stars in Euro NCAP crash testing.

What's inside?

The Type R's spacecraft dash features red-lit and stacked instruments, the digital speedo sitting at the top, furthest away and sometimes hard to read. The analog tacho, with its 8000rpm redline, has the trip computer mounted in its centre. The dash wraps around the driver and the gearshift sits high in the upswept centre console, the alloy knob falling easily to hand.

There is substantial storage up-front including big door bins, double cupholders and a centre bin with lid.

The rear seat is spacious for two (and has only two seatbelts), has a sizeable storage area underneath the bench and can be split-folded flat to expand the already sizeable boot from 415 litres to 1282 litres.

The problem for rear seat passengers is claustrophobia, thanks to the tiny windows.

Under the bonnet

Pumping 148kW out of a 2.0-litre normally aspirated engine is a pretty good effort, even if it does arrive at an astronomical 7800rpm. However, torque is a relatively puny 193Nm at 5600rpm.

That means you have to rev the Type R like mad to get any sort of meaningful response. Around town and cruising, the engine is tractable enough to live with, although something like the Golf GTI shames it for usability.

The 9.3 litres per 100 kilometres combined fuel consumption average is closer to reality, so the hip pocket can have a good time as well.

The Type R's six-speed manual is enjoyable because of its short throw and high position.

But you still wish for a dual-clutch DSG-style 'box or auto around town.

On the road

You also wish for a more compliant ride around town. The Type R tends to bounce and crash from pothole to bump at slower speeds. It's not poorly set up but it has short suspension travel and low-profile rubber. The upside is a front-wheel-drive chassis that is a hoot to punt along a winding road.

The electric steering provides razor-sharp response and the handling offers limpet grip.

Does the Torsen LSD help out? The Type R showed admirable grip on soaked mountain hairpin corners, refusing to spin the wheels despite plenty of provocation.

Yep, great fun and safer too.

Verdict

The beauty of the Civic Type R is that it feels fast when it's actually not. The engine noise, the tight chassis, the lairy bodykit, the red instrumentation, the drilled alloy pedals — it's atmospheric rather than ballistic.

The LSD is an improvement but hardly one that justifies a $2000 price increase. It makes the Type R no less loveable, just that much less affordable.

The competitiors

VOLKSWAGEN GOLF GTI

From $40,490 plus on-road/dealer costs, Drive's three-time Car of the Year category winner is now awaiting the Mark VI version that promises to pick up where the Mark V left off. A great hot hatch with practicality and safety in spades. 4.5/5

MAZDA3 MPS

From $39,690 plus on-road/dealer costs. A more grown-up version of the devil of all hot hatches. Trick electronics seek to quell torque steer. Huge 190kW/380Nm turbo 2.3L engine. Full airbag/stability control kit. Yet to be tested.

ALFA ROMEO MITO SPORT

From $37,490 plus on-road/dealer costs. Spiritual successor to the Alfasud. Sport gets higher-output 1.4-litre turbo (114kW/230Nm). Switchable engine mapping a gimmick but the car is fun to drive. Seven airbags and stability control. 4/5