![]() ![]() The breadvan shape was distinctive, the gearlever on the dash was great, the engine, weight, chassis and package were all bob on. It was the EP3 in 2001 that really got people fired up. We’re looking at 25 years of the Civic Type R now, going back to the original EK9 in 1997. You can read much more about that in the Buying section. ![]() Then again, anyone opting for a front drive, manual hot hatch in this day and age can count themselves a hardcore car fan. But it’s a shame for existing Honda fans that it’s become so exclusively priced. The price increase goes hand in hand with the toned down looks – it’ll now appeal to more affluent, mature buyers. Over £10,000 more than the last generation car. Oh, and the price, although that’s outstanding rather than stand out. It would’ve been quite something to fluff that given the car’s outward size. OK, the absence of a fifth seatbelt is infuriating for some, but legroom is good and the boot is huge. The seats are exceptional – softer than you expect, yet trimmed in a grippy new material and beautifully shaped to fit. It’s already claimed a lap record at Suzuka and seeing as the last one was the fastest hot hatch around the ‘Ring for a while (7mins 43.8secs), it’s safe to assume the new one will be headed there shortly. 5.4 seconds to 62mph is the claim, 171mph flat out. Provided it’s dry, probably the fastest production front driver around. ![]() In the wet, 324bhp through the front wheels soon has everything spinning. The way the steering, differential and suspension manage the front axle is bewitching. A Toyota GR Yaris is more thuggish and charismatic, but this is very sophisticated. If you care about driving, the purity of it, rather than the excitement, this is the hot hatch to have. It’s both flattering and rewarding.Īnd the same applies to the whole of the chassis. You don’t have to think about it, even the tricky three-down-to-two dogleg. The shift has been ‘optimised’ by such methods as the adoption of a heavier 230g knob, and the action is absolutely peerless. Honda’s not lost its touch then?Ībsolutely not. Through one of the all-time great gearboxes. It’s not the most tuneful engine, but the drivability, the way it pulls so progressively across the range, makes it a great one to use. The turbo is three per cent more efficient thanks to reducing the number of turbine blades and reshaping the rest, so torque stands at 310lb ft at 2,200rpm. The engine has the same K20 C1 designation as the old car, but now develops 9bhp more. The only bowing down to technology Honda has done was the adoption of turbocharging for the FK2 generation in 2015. Yeah, hot hatches are now the only performance cars that use the front drive, manual gearbox template. ![]()
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