Just how hot is a hot hatch? There are plenty of tepid hatches, and a fair few lukewarm ones. But there's only one hot hatch that's truly scorching.
Yes, the new Honda Civic Type-R is nearly upon us. In fact, hot doesn't do it justice. Honda's engineers are calling it a superhatch - and that's no idle boast.
The original Civic Type-R blew the mercury on the hot hatch temperature gauge when it was introduced in 2001. And the all-new model is hotter still: more powerful and useable, but even more refined.
Sitting on seven-spoke 18-inch alloys, the Type-R looks muscular and purposeful even when still. Up front, the deep front spoiler masks a gaping air intake, while slanting, streamlined light clusters frame a honeycomb mesh grill.
It's the same story around the back, with a body-coloured tailgate spoiler providing downforce.
And it's not just there for idle decoration. Fans of the original Civic Type-R will be glad to hear that manic-reving 2.0-litre i-VTEC engine remains - only it's been made even more manic and even more useable.
The double overhead cam technology has been developed to give more low-end torque. The VTEC cam now switches in at just 5,200rpm and won't stop pulling until you hit a heady 8,000rpm. That means you get an even wider band of that ludicrous, trigger-happy power, all channelled through a short-throw six speed manual 'box.
Honda's engineers have utilised all their technological wizardry to make sure the power stays on the road. The Type-R's aerodynamics have been revised, making it slippier through the air than a greased buzzard.
The suspension has been hunkered down, too. The Type-R sits 15mm lower on the road than the already tightly tuned Type-S, while the steering and chassis have been firmed-up to provide almost telepathic responsiveness.
Performance doesn't come at the cost of comfort, though. The leather-trimmed steering wheel is finished in racing red stitching, as are the Alcantara bucket seats. Drilled aluminium pedals belie the Type-R's racing heritage, and the GT version comes with dual zone aircon, cruise control, foglights and automatic lights as standard.
And if all that hasn't swung you, there's even a little indicator that flashes on when you hit 5,200rpm and the mental VTEC cam takes over.
Now that's hot.
For more information on the Honda Civic Type-R please go to www.redh.co.uk
- 1.Pic of the alloy wheels
- 2.Pic of front foglights
- 3.Pic of the gearshift knob
- 4.Pic of Type-R's interior
- 5.Pic of the car's personalisation plaque
- 6.Pic of the Type-R's sporty sideskirts
- 1.
18-inch, seven-spoke alloy wheels with low-profile tyres are a clear indication of the car's sporting nature.
- 2.
Front foglights provide added safety when driving in murky conditions and are standard on GT models.
- 3.
The six-speed Type-R gearshift knob with aluminium finish has a black leather boot with red stitching.
- 4.
The Type-R's iconic red colour scheme features strongly in the interior fabrics.
- 5.
For added exclusivity there's a plaque engraved with the car's unique serial number, positioned just above the gearshift.
- 6.
Body-coloured side skirts enhance the Type-R's sporty look.
