Hot hatch for the purist
Honda has finally unleashed the new Civic Type-R in SA. It is arguably the most hardcore hatch available currently.
SO finally I got my eyes on the new Civic Type-R.
My hands not yet though, but a press car is on its way and when it gets here, Zahid Hassim and myself will do a performance test on it.
In the meantime, here are some interesting facts on Honda’s latest creation:
The look
The Japanese don’t seem to know the meaning of ‘reserved’.
Just look at it…
Just like the Nissan GTR, the Civic Type-R is extravagant, loud and just plain over the top!
The Type-R shouts ‘look at me, I’m hot!’
Razor sharp lines are accentuated even more by spoilers, skirtings and extravagant mags in contrasting colour.
The wing on the back is the size of a coffee table and shaped like that of a fighter jet – literally!
From every angle the new Type-R screams at you…
Inside
Open the door and you see that Honda have gone full throttle with the fast-and-loud theme in the cockpit as well.
The main colour scheme is red-on-black with bits of matt silver and carbon fibre inserts in strategic places.
In the luxury feature and entertainment department the Civic Type-R has everything you need, but who cares…
If it’s fancy stuff that matters, then buy a Range Rover.
The six-speed manual box’s short shaft, the hand brake, racy pedals, small steering and +R button is all that matter.
The setup around the driver is excellent:
• The hand brake and gear lever sit close to each other for fast operation.
• The small leather clad steering wheel grips well.
• Clutch, brake and throttle pedals are well positioned and angled right.
Sitting in the tightly cupped suede bucket seats, it is easy to find a driving position that is perfect.
Then, all that is left to do is to push two buttons – start on the left and +R on the right…
+R unlocks the car’s full potential – straight forward and simple – without the need to dig into touch screen menus.
It’s a driver’s car!
Hardcore
There’s not much more to say about the Civic Type-R.
Rear legroom, boot space, touch screen?
Yes, yes and yes, but if those things are your main requirements then you are perhaps better of looking at something less hardcore.
Keep an eye out for the performance test.
