Honda Civic Type R GT Review

Honda Civic

At 5,400 rpm when the cam lift takes place an indicator on the dashboard lights up (just in case you didn't notice) of course it doesn’t need an indicator as you will be brimming with excitement at this point and the hairs on the back of your neck will have already indicated the change. As you move toward the red line there are a series of LEDs next to the digital speedo that light up to warn you that you are about to hit the rev limiter. The rev counter is easy to read being central to your line of vision with a digital speedo above.

Acceleration is brisk, 0- 62 mpg takes just 6.6 seconds and continues to a top speed of 146 mph, not class leading, for example the Mazda3 MPS does it in just 6.1 seconds or if your budget stretches to it Audi’s S3 takes 5.7 seconds but it is quicker than the benchmark VW Golf GTi that records 7.2 seconds.

On the handling front there is little to complain about under normal, safe and legal conditions, perhaps the rear axle is little too taught under some conditions but we were more than happy. The brakes were up to the job and worked well, we would have liked to have seen the callipers painted red on the front, in our opinion they would have looked better. We even liked the electric power steering system which provided positive feedback, if perhaps not a tad too light for our preference.

The (VSA) Vehicle Stability Control usually remains off in all but the most ham fisted of manoeuvres and torque steer is rarely a problem especially with the way in which the power is delivered.

The short throw 6-speed close ratio gearbox is easy and addictiveto use, especially with such a fantastic engine howl and exhaust note, which is good news when you have to work away at the variable cam engine.

Riding 15mm lower than standard cars the ride is fairly compliant, hard but not jaw breaking, so it remains rewarding with little body roll.

Fuel consumption was good and we achieved around 34 mpg over our mixed test route, this reduced to near 25 mpg when exploring the potential of the Type R. On a relaxed motorway journey this increased to a calculated 36 mpg.

We weren’t too sure about the interior, with black alcantara with red inserts the only option but that is just down to personal taste. The seats (with type-r logos) are comfortable and cosseting, far better than leather, as you tend to stay put. We were amused to see that the car even had a limited edition style number plaque in front of the gear lever.