FirstDrive: Honda Civic Type-R / Type-S:You have got to feel a little sorry for the guys in Honda in Ireland. Despite enjoying increasing sales, they really don't get a break when it comes to engine sizes and the dreaded VRT.
Their diesel engine is a 2.2-litre, so that effectively means they couldn't dream of selling a diesel version of their Civic or their FR-V and now, to make matters worse, the three-door version of their Civic has arrived and the smallest version available is a 1.8-litre.
So without having a small petrol engine as a three-door - something which at one time did a thriving trade for Honda in this country, now they must concentrate their efforts on the "sporty" versions.
First up is the Type S, which is best described as the Korma to the Type R Madras. Powered by a 1.8-litre 140bhp engine, it is very much of the warm hatch variety. It gets some tarting-up to make it look the part, so there are 17" alloy wheels, chrome front-door handles, front fogs, and while it retains the five-door suspension system, the springs and damper settings have been revised and the rear track is 20mm wider.
It takes 8.6 seconds for 0-100km/h, with a top speed potential of 204km/h. This is not bad performance in a car that handled Mondello's circuit with relative ease while never really feeling like a rocket.
It certainly looks the part and comes incredibly well equipped with dual zone climate control, vehicle stability assist, a panoramic glass roof, cruise control and automatic lights and wipers.
The price, at €27,820, is not bad either. Rivals at this price include the 125bhp Opel Astra 1.8 SRI Sport Hatch at €26,625 and the 140bhp VW Golf 1.4 TSI for €25,575. An Audi A3 1.6 or Volvo C30 1.6 could be within your budget at this price, too.
A rather spicier offering is the Civic Type-R. This has become something of a cult car among performance car lovers, with the previous generation considered the best hot-hatch of its generation by many commentators.
While the previous generation was quite hardcore, with a very firm ride, harsh noise and rev-hungry engine, Honda was keen for the new model to retain all the performance, but to make this car a little easier to live with.
The generation who came to love the Civic Type-R so much will not be disappointed with its offspring. The new model had rather a radical canvas to start with in the shape of the five-door Civic - surely the zaniest mainstream car design in years.
The Type-R adds a lower, more aggressive front grille, sits 15mm lower than the standard Civic, and has a rear track that is 20mm wider than the five-door. It also gets 18" alloy wheels as a body kit and spoilers. Inside there are Alcantara bucket seats, and a menacing combination of red displays and aluminium detailing.
The main surprise for many is that the 2-litre naturally aspirated i-VTEC engine remains virtually untouched from the previous model. With a horsepower war going on in this segment, one might have expected to see figures of 240bhp-plus in the new Type-R. The same 200bhp unit remains, but manages the same performance figures as before (0-100km/h 6.6 secs, 235km/h) in a car that weighs more than the old one.
However, at 1,267kg the Type-R despite its increase in weight, is lighter than the Golf GTi (1,328kg), Ford Focus ST (1,317kg), Opel Astra OPC (1,393kg) and Seat Leon Cupra (1,400kg).
And you can hardly blame Honda for sticking with an engine that has proven to be so reliable and that offers such raucous performance. The i-VTEC engine now screams into life at 5,250rpm and lights up all the way up to 8,000rpm.
A brief lap and three-quarters of Mondello's circuit in the Type-R was not quite enough to give a thorough impression of the car's ability, but it did give us a flavour of a car that felt intuitive to drive quickly and much more comfortable than before, less compromised and with the power coming in much earlier than before.
No doubt our full road test in the coming weeks will bring us more of an impression. At €36,980, the Type-R is placed smack in the middle ground between the excellent value and ferocious 240bhp Opel Astra OPC at €34,020 at one end, and the 200bhp Audi A3 TFSI at €41,870 at the other.
The Type R, too, comes with the same high levels of standard equipment as the Type-S. Honda hopes to sell 40 Type-Rs this year, and 205 Type-S versions, with double that for 2008. Both cars are in showrooms now.
Factfile
HONDA CIVIC TYPE-S
Power:1,799cc 4-cyl 140bhp/174Nm of torque
Performance:Top speed 205km/h 0-100km/h 8.9secs
Economy:6.6 l/100km
CO2 emissions:156 g/km
Price:€27,820
HONDA CIVIC TYPE-R
Power:1,988cc 4-cyl 201bhp/193Nm of torque
Performance:Top speed 235km/h 0-100km/h 6.6secs
Economy:9.1 l/100km
CO2 emissions:215 g/km
Price:€36,980