Well, I was sat here minding my own business when a mate turned up, who works at a Honda dealer in the North West, in a New Honda Civic Type R, in GT spec.

So, here is a short review, from a short drive in said car:-

Firstly, I like the seats, very comfortable. Driving position is excellent, as is feel/fit/finish of the cabin. This model had red ambient floor lighting, so looked quite pimp at night. Turn the key......then push the red button. Pointless gimmick IMO. To cut a long story short, I drove at legal town speeds to see how it was - around town, before finding a private test area to see what it could do. Around town I expected it to really lack torque, but I was suprised. It was no diesel, but it performed more than adequately. Out on the open road, I gave it some gas, lighting all 4 shift lights, and the Vtec light in the dash. Grip was very good indeed, acceleration was.......smooth. It didnt feel at all fast due to the smoothness, but the engine sounded glorious under load, with the vtec coming on song at 5500 rpm,. Much less noticable changover to the previous model, whicj IMO is a good thing. Speed wise, it didnt really impress. Handling wise, it was like any other modern sports hatch/saloon, with understeer giving way to light oversteer on lifting the gas. He was a bad passenger, and wouldn't let me try it with the esp system off , so how far it oversteers I don't know.

All in all - would I buy one? No... too dull, too smooth, too quiet, and too expesive by the time you added some luxuries. To gimmicky too. Vtech light? Shift lights? push button start after you turn a key? Nonesense.

Nice little review. The first thing alot of people say about the Civic Type R, is they "lack torque, there crap outside Vtec" but there just like any other 2.0. As you said yourself, it didn't feel back outside Vtec. I'm yet to drive one, but I like them.

Followed one yesterday after he was trying to lose me, no chance, but it did look

nice, sort of....

I ahd a paly with one the other night - he couldn't keep up

The C4S was a different kettle of fish though - he struggled round the corners but was all over me on the straights

Took one for a test drive today...

Was almost as manic as most othe type r's when on full chat. But as said, even at lower revs it was quite easy to pootle...

Not as good a handler as the integra, and the styling leaves me cold tbh. I liked the push start button and most of the laout of the dash was super modern and it worked.

When pushed on, I still cant believe the range of the gearing. Pull off from rolling start in 2nd and keep it planted to redline at just over 60, lost of fun and touring car noises.

Well damped and put together. But I wouldnt get one. As so many people say (and now I agree with them) it needs so much effort to keep it on the boil.

It is probably more of a pursists car, but give me the low down shove of a turbo over a n/a car anyday...

Dealer read me and my bro well - straight to the jokes and humour and when handed over the keys (for 3 hours ) said 'take a few miles to get used to it, then drive it like you stole it...)

I love the new Civic, the interior is stunning... but it just doesn't suit a Type R imho.

...also the type r is very similar in looks to any other new civic...

the EK9 is the only civic that id have

Nothing wrong with the EP3's either. Not that I'm biased or anything.

are they supposed to be bringing out a type s ? .....just some xtra bits stuck on and some big wheels i seem to remember reading......

k:)

The type-s came out before the type-r (I'm sure).. the type-s is the little brother to the type-r... more of a warm hatch.

Maybe your thinking of the type-rr?

Is aircon still a £1000 extra?

I saw one yesterday evening parked where there used to be a Nismo kitted S2000. I do hope they havent chopped it in for the Civic :eek:

Looks very blad and you could pass it by without really noticing. As others have said though it is very expensive.

Start button after turning a key ????

Start button after turning a key ????

Afraid so. Turn key 2 clicks till lights come on dash - push button. Whoopee. for Honda on that one.

Thats madness, the renault card key method is so much nicer.

Thats madness, the renault card key method is so much nicer.

Yes it is, a friend of mine has a 225 Megane, which I might add is much better fun than the Civic, and infinately more fun than the Octy 2 also. Walk up to the car, no unlocking to fiddle with, get in, push the button, and away. Sweet - as they say.

Even the TDCi Megane has it - its great.

How does the steering lock work though? I presume thats why Honda have retained the key barrel.

Even the TDCi Megane has it - its great.

How does the steering lock work though? I presume thats why Honda have retained the key barrel.

It's electronic, and deactivates on the pressing of the start button.

I just asked him

Renault card key works well 'till other half is the one with the card and gets out and walks away whilst you are driving off :D:rofl:

Yeah it's like BMW, insert the key, then press start/stop button, why?

I don't like the looks of the new civic, I did at first but there is something toy car and young (I am aware of my age btw) about it.

Didn't realise the Type R was out now, this comes from living under a rock.

I'd be interested in a test drive though, just for the craic.

I'd prefer to test drive one in Silverstone (aka Milton Keynes).

The Civic Type RR might be good, but the Type R is a bit of a let down to me, it's not kept up with any other the other decent hot hatches in the range that have all got turbo's on these days and are 100x more fun. Also you know in 2 years there will be more Type R's on the road than there are Mondeo LX's.

My friends 225 Cup is simply stunning in the corners and even the straights.