Honda Civic Type R: Reasons to choose

If we were in the market for a sporty hatchback, the choices narrow down to a few. Cars like the Volkswagen Polo GTi, Ford Focus and the Honda Civic Type R come to the mind. While the other two have their own cult fan following, the Civic Type R isn’t as fondly remembered. Partly because it never had as many generations like the other two and not exactly a long lineage too. While that’s another story about the lineage, today we will explore the reasons why one will choose the Honda Civic Type R over its European competition?

Looks

A good sporty hatchback need not only be skilled in the dynamics department but should also look different than its regular cousins. Out of all the three cars mentioned here, only the Honda manages to do that. The rest can be called as “sleepers”. It looks brilliant to say the least and if Honda weren’t to put in an equally appealing engine, then we wouldn’t be writing down this story. Those front splitters coupled to the sleek LED headlights and integration with the lower bumper add a sense of coolness and urgency to the car. Even at standstill, you know that this car is going to scorch the racetracks and while we will dwell more on that later, for now, the looks are the captivating part. Those low profile tyres on 10-spoke split alloys do the part as well - of looking sinister. Honda seems to have taken their own sweet time with getting this 10th generation Civic ready. That being said, Type R is only four generations old. The rear too gets a fat spoiler and those triple exhaust ports are to die for. Diffusers at the rear are of the faux type and don’t do much to aid the performance of the car.

Engine and gearbox

We swear that if Honda had just put in their economiser “I do it all” VTEC engine, then this story wouldn’t have happened. Instead, the company has put in its latest 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine with VTEC getting a supplementary and not primary role here. The engine makes 310 PS of power and 400 Nm of torque. While the power is down by 10 PS with Honda citing lower fuel quality in Malaysia, it is still enough. The Honda Civic Type R currently holds the record at the Green Hell for the fastest lap time by a front wheel drive car. The record set by the Type R is 7 minutes and 43.8s. There is a 6-speed gearbox that channels power to the front wheels with the help of a helical LSD that enables the car with cornering traction. 0-100 kmph is done in a scant 5.7s while the top speed is closer to 300kmph. During aggressive downshifts, the throttle will blip to bring back the engine to its torque curve and one can manually turn this off too.

 

Handling

For once, Honda has given us a proper handler and one that doesn’t pretend to mix comfort with it. This Type R, in typical Japanese fashion, has 16 kg lighter frame than before, increased torsional rigidity as well as bending stiffness. A wider track, positive caster, and stiffer springs than the regular Civic make this a cornering demon. Go as fast as you can around a corner and irrespective of the speeds, the Civic Type R will ensure that you get out of it safely and looking a hero at the same time. Caber reduction helps immensely with stability and in general agility too. The brakes are applied lightly while cornering and this is due to the Agile Handling Assist working in tandem with the car’s vehicular stability assist to ensure that the car treads true to its path. All-wheel discs help in stopping the car in a hurry, a breeze.

All in all, the Honda Civic Type R in its fourth generation is one solid performer. While its Nurburgring record may be broken sooner than later, the car will be forever etched in the minds for being a performer sans any guilts.