The Honda Civic

Last updated at 12:00, Saturday, 24 April 2010

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Advertising feature. The Honda Civic Type R causes heads to turn wherever it goes. The Type-R oozes street appeal, this sporty hatch has lower panels on all of the doors, rear wings and front and rear bumpers that are totally unique to the three-door Civic.

Add to this sculpted side skirts and deeper front and rear bumpers, plus a honeycombed grille ally you have got a car that distinguishes itself from not only other Civics but sports cars in the same sector.

This is undoubtedly a tour de force of a concept car and you get no fewer than three display screens – a digital readout for the speedometer, a very large indeed analogue rev counter that also provides digital readouts for some of the ancillary functions and a digital display for your radio. It’s pretty clear that a lot of thought has gone into the look and feel of the cabin and the seating only continues the theme. They are finished in red cloth with black suede effect bolsters and a rather snazzy Type-R livery.

For a compact looking car there is tonnes of space, both for head and legs, far far more than a comparable Ford. As hot hatches go, this one leads the field in interior space which is a welcome change. One great little feature on the Type R GT version worth mentioning is the refrigerated glove box.

Honda clearly aimed to manufacture a sports car that would provide the driver with an experience as near to driving a race car as possible, and arguably they have achieved their ambition with the Type R. Body roll is virtually non existent and the steering is incredibly responsive, giving the Type-R, subject to the quality of the driver of course, a real edge.

Again, lowered and stiffened suspension with a rear track (the distance between the wheels) increased by 15mm to provide that increased Honda stability. Honda and Mugen have officially announced that they will produce a limited number of tuned and tweaked Euro-spec Civic Type Rs for the UK market. Only 20 will be made, each will cost £38,599, and if you so desire, it is possible for you to make sure your car is exactly like the original Mugen concept version.

The limited edition run will surely guarantee exclusivity and consequently makes the price tag easier on the eye. But buyers be warned! You won’t get everything that was on the concept model, so while the engine, suspension, brake and aero tweaks are all there, additional options such as the lightweight body panels and the stripped-out interior and will be extra.

Mugen are certainly confident about the project. And why shouldn’t they be? The 300 Japanese-spec Civic Rs released onto the market in Japan were all sold in just 6 minutes. Of course outside of the UK there lies the safety net of the wider European market.

The engine, claimed by Mugen, is worth around sixteen thousand pounds. The Mugen boasts a revised air intake system, different cams, new pistons and a stainless steel exhaust. Together with a higher compression ratio power climbs from 198bhp at 7800rpm to 237bhp at 8300rpm and the rev limit has also been raised 300 revolutions to a screaming 8600rpm. The torque output is also up, from 142lb ft at 5600rpm to 157lb ft at 6250rpm.

Now if you really want to get stuck into the whole concept, a ‘Track Pack’ is available. This baby will provide you with Recaro buckets, plus four-point harnesses and the removal of the rear bench seats in order to facilitate the addition of a composite rear bulkhead, a trio of temperature and pressure gauges, and some trick track-biased Yokohama rubber.

Additionally a lightweight composite vented bonnet and front wings with also be available, and while all of the above will shave at least another 80kg of the kerb weight, it’ll also take your total investment to nigh on £50,000.

The Honda Civic Type S distinguishes itself from the off with a deep front air intake, gunmetal trim round the wheel arches and sills, and 17-inch alloys as standard. The doors, rear panels, sills and bumpers are all features that are uniquely designed specifically for the Type S. The suspension has been tuned and the rear track is 20mm wider, the ride height is lower, and spring and damper settings have been revised to provide a not only a sportier feel but a greater purchase on the road surface.

Family hatchbacks that offer a little bit more normally mean a three-door version. Most manufacturers have been unable to embrace the fact that many buyers want performance and practicality from the same car. The Honda Civic Type-S addresses that need, offering a classy hatch that offers much and misses out on very little.

The cabin of this Civic is packed with personality and not for those who are happy with the mundane or simply practical functionality. The feel created is one of forthright style and imagination. And the Type S offers a leather-wrapped steering wheel, plus new designed seats and really rather racy chromed pedals. The quality and build feel of the whole car is confident and cool.

This power packed little car boasts 160bhp and unleashes 60mph in just a touch over 8 seconds. Its top speed is a handy 130mph. The fuel consumption figure nudges nearly 38mpg is anything but average in such a powerful car whilst CO2 emissions of 179g/km are more than credible for a hot hatch.

Type S buyers get a mesh grille, 16-inch alloy wheels, a small rear hatch spoiler and discreet side rubbing strips. Aside from that only the front fog lamps, mud flaps give the game away!

Honda have not only delivered a truly hot hatch here, but for another £1000 a GT Pack and a panoramic glass roof are added, along with cruise control, automatic lights and a rather tasty dual-zone climate control.