Go fly a White (From Bournemouth Echo)

Go fly a White

2:41pm Monday 8th February 2010

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Honda’s Civic Type-R is something of a legend among hot-hatch fans.

Two years ago the latest incarnation was launched complete with a new marketing mantra ‘rawfined’.

But, despite being a quick, nimble and sporty number, hard-core Type R enthusiasts bemoaned the marginal increase in power and more ‘civilised’ ride and accommodation and demanded something a bit more ‘thrashable’.

Now, be in no doubt that the Type R is already an accomplished hot-hatch – red-lining at a howling 8,000rpm and with a slick six-speed box, firm ride and quick, direct steering, it’s a rewarding drive, particularly when utilising the revvy, two-litre normally–aspirated straight four.

It’s a three-door, five-seater, though four is more comfortable, and there’s a remarkably roomy boot (partly due to there being no spare wheel) plus fold-down rear seats, making it a surprisingly practical machine.

Access to the rear is slightly awkward though there’s decent legroom once there.

There’s plenty of storage nooks and crannies and, surprisingly, the Civic is one of the few cars that has passed my camera test (a cubbyhole to store a digital SLR camera with zoom lens out of sight) twice – in the glovebox AND the between-seats cubby.

The front bucket seats are supportive and snug and the driving position good if slightly high for me – and men need to be a tad careful the first time getting in.

A smart dashboard with good instrumentation and chunky switchgear adds to the sporty feel, and the overall finish is of good quality in the Honda way.

But Honda is renowned for reacting to customer opinion, hence the introduction of the more hard-core ‘Championship White’ Type R.

Based on the Civic Type R GT, but in Japan’s racing white, the new car benefits from 18-inch white alloys, contrasting smoke chrome finish at various points and, most importantly by far, a limited-slip differential.

This is not available on the standard Type R and allows it to put its relatively modest (by modern hot-hatch standards) 201ps on to the floor more efficiently. It’s of great benefit when pressing on through bends, the car beautifully balanced and allowing you to get your right foot down sooner, thus cutting journey times for B-road fans and lap times for track enthusiasts.

But of course you can’t defy the laws of physics… gas it too early and the R will understeer like most cars. Brakes are strong with plenty of feel and adjustability.

Indeed, it’s cut 1.44 seconds off the standard Type R GT’s time around Honda’s Tsukaba test track, and no less than two off Evo’s Bedford Autodrome West test track lap time.

To get the most out of this machine, you do need to keep those revs up – stay above 5,000 and the fabulously rorty roar of the in-line four will have you quickly addicted and encourage ‘spirited’ driving.

There’s a noticeable boost at around 6,000rpm as Honda’s renowned vTEC variable timing jumps in, aided by very sharp throttle response but rear viz is limited, like all Civics, by that confounded spoiler across the rear screen.

But an unexpected benefit is at night when it’s at just the right height to stop rear headlight dazzle… The Type R White only comes in, er, white, which makes it a pain to keep clean, particularly combined with the South West’s wettest December on record.

But it is rather eye-catching when you can be bothered to give it a good buffing.

That LSD helps with grip, particularly when it’s very slippery, and inspires confidence as well as being a good extra safety device.

That’s a good line to give your wife, anyway, when asking her permission to stump up a reasonable £21,534 for your new Type R White.

The 0-60mph sprint takes 6.6 seconds, top speed is 146mph and official combined consumption is 31mpg.

I achieved what I consider a reasonable 27.3mpg over some 500 miles of testing.

Emissions are 215g/km, meaning, coincidentally, £215 VED a year; it’s built in Swindon.

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