I have added a new hot hatchback to my, patent pending, 'I've driven that' - collection. It as it turns out is also the second most powerful car that you can drive at the Auto 2016 event.
The EP3 Honda Civic Type R is an iconic hot hatchback revered for it's brilliant chassis, fun handling characteristics and tuning possibilities. But the third generation was not loved all that much. Honda has tried to rectify that with the latest available model the fourth generation.
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| Honda Civic Type R in championship white |
First lets kick off with the - there's no other word for it - insane styling. It looks ready modified with
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| Why? Just why |
wheel-arches that look as they'd been borrowed from another car and spoilers. Big, big spoilers. The one on the boot is so large that when the car rolled in to the test drive car area that is how I recognized it. It was like a shark fin on top of car roofs. I find the styling stupid and a bit embarrassing. In my view a hot hatchback should be so discrete that only car bores will be able to notice it. This gathers attention as much as a cosplayer walking in costume through a train station.
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| The wing is so tall you can't see it in the rear-view mirror. |
When falling into the harsh semi-racing seats, and I mean falling they're much lower down than you'd think, you find yourself in a Honda with a button that says +R. This button changes the lighting and instruments to red. It's obviously the race button. That is all you need to know about this car. No complicated computer to go into where to choose gearbox, suspension or steering settings.
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| Four tailpipes in a hot hatchback is too many. You too Audi, two is enough. |
The Civic Type R is not meant for anyone with backache. It reacts with shakes and rattles to every little bump. Turning off the +R function evens out the ride a tad but not enough. It appears this chassis is not meant for anything else than race tracks. The steering confirms that. It's weighty and precise, not much lock is needed to make a sharp turn. The driving sensation is enhanced by the manual gearbox. A manual in a high performance hatchback! Oh joy. It's just as sharp and precise as one would like it. Short throws and a close proximity to the steering wheel aids the driver to make quicker shifts.
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| What? Do you want to know the speed at which you're traveling |
What makes a hot hatchback is its engine. The fourth generation Civic Type R has a 2.0 litre turbo VTEC developing 310 horsepower. This goes through the front wheels which it actually handles rather well. On hard acceleration it tracks straight with minimal torque steer. Turbo lag was quite absent as well, but I think that was down to the manual gearbox which meant I always kept it at higher than normal revs. Finally the noise. Despite the tuning look of the exhausts it sounded real. No extra burble, crackle or bang only pure vtec kicked in yo.
I wouldn't buy this car purely on the looks. I can understand the track ready look because it feels like it would be very capable at pounding round a few circuits. Many others have also been repelled by the look of this car since the one I drove is the first I've seen on the road. Subtle hot hatchbacks are the way to go.
