Next Civic Type R breaks cover
The top end of the hot hatch market is, aptly enough, hotly contested. VW's Golf GTi is the accepted best all-rounder, but to reflect different tastes are good cars from Ford,
Renault,
Vauxhall, MINI and the Mazda3 MPS launched in
Geneva. To be allowed into this party you really do need well in excess of 200bhp. Yet Honda will launch its Type R replacement with just 197 horses under its bonnet.
In Geneva, Honda's top F1 driver, Jenson Button lifted the covers on the Civic Type R concept car, though we're confident you can ignore the concept tag, as the car that will be in Honda showrooms next year will be little different. As well as previewing the range-topping car, the concept was the first outing for the three-door Civic shape, itself due for launch at this year's London Motor Show.
Back to the Type R and its 'lack' of power. Honda has decided to stick with a high-revving naturally aspirated engine with its renowned variable valve timing system instead of going the turbocharged route, so the Civic will stand apart from the other cars above in this respect, though the new Clio RenaultSport 197 (yep, exact same power output) should give it a run for its money. Speaking of which, the new Type R is tipped to cost no more than the highly successful car it replaces, meaning a price of less than £16,000 in the UK. Honda promises a driving experience to rival any other hot hatch on the market.
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