Honda Civic Type-R 2.0 V-TEC 320 CV, the ultimate sports compact car – Sports Cars

Honda Civic Type-R 2.0 V-TEC 320 CV, the ultimate sports compact car – Sports Cars

We tested the monstrous 320hp Honda Civic Type-R. Are you the queen of compact sports cars?

Three hundred and twenty horsepower - this is how much a sports car supplied in the early 2000s, cars such as Porsche 911 996, latest evolution'Honda NSX, or BMW M3 e36. It is true that power has increased across all ranges, but it is also true that the Honda Civic Type-R is unloading its 320 h.p. and 400 Nm of torque just with the power of the front wheels and a mechanical limited-slip differential, and it does it well, too. But we'll see that later.

However, with his powers Honda Civic Type-R it is the most powerful front wheel drive sports compact car on the market for about 38.000 euro it almost seems like a good deal.

His record on the Ring 7'43 “8 (7 seconds faster than the previous model) ranks it as the fastest sports compact car on the market, but we are not only interested in numbers: we want to find out if it is also the most exciting.

He is so extreme and charged that you either hate him or love him.

WAR ROBOT

Looking at a parked car, it seems obvious to me that an Audi S3 buyer cannot choose one. Honda Civic Type-R... He is so extreme and charged that you either hate him or love him.

I haven't figured it out yet, but deep down I think I like her: she's so professional, focused on her goal, almost like a fighter who doesn't care about being beautiful, but just about being strong.

I also noticed something from the "old Subaru Impreza" in the new front end, in part due to generous air intake, partly for optical groups; but above all because, despite being compact, it has the shape and proportions of a three-box sedan, which makes it seem even bigger.

Compared to the previous model, in fact, it has changed a lot: it lengthens by 17 cm (456 in total), and the height decreases by 3,6 cm.At the same time, the entire body becomes more rigid and lighter, but, above all, the rear rigid axle disappears. and a more modern and efficient multi-link suspension scheme appears. I have to admit that I was not worried about the very nervous rear end of the old model, it made it a demanding yet hyper-professional machine. A true certified racing car, but not suitable for everyone.

Inside, it looks even bigger, especially in width. IN sports seats they wrap around but offer a seat that's too high to be truly "racing" and the steering wheel, if you're tall, tilts a little. We see that the Japanese from time to time forget about the size of us Europeans.

The cabin exudes sportiness, however, and I love it: the aluminum-knob shifter should be World Heritage-listed, the steering wheel is the right size, with stitching and red tints where needed, and the digital gauges are simple. and readable. The infotainment system is not one of the latest trends, but once you start driving, you can learn it.

IN THE EVERYDAY GUIDE

The first few meters I move Honda Civic Type-R in "comfortable" mode: adaptive dampers three cameras work fine, but to say that the car is soft would not be true. "Usable" would be a more correct term. Also because the Type-R mounts 20 inch wheels with a very low shoulder, and in our case with winter tires. It's a real shame because riding a Civic on these tires is a bit like racing. Usain Bolt with Crocs.

However, a pleasant feeling comes from the teams: he steering it's lightweight yet talkative, supercar worthy to be honest, like the Hyundai i30 N Performance with summer tires that I recently tried. V Manual Transmission (only a selection available) is one of the best and is an integral part of the driving experience. The ride is short, precise yet light, and the gear knob, in addition to being a pleasure to look at, is delightful.

To this are added Clutch pedal very enjoyable making city driving as easy as in a small car and modular brake pedal with racing feel.

But now it's time to try the rest.

The 2.0 turbo V-TEC has an extension that lives up to its name: it has a good dose of turbo lag at low revs, but at about 4.000 rpm it ignites and explodes from 5.000 to 7.000.

STRADA WEAPON (THE RUNWAY?)

I move along my favorite road, 10 km of mixed mountain, and slowly and quickly, where all the nodes necessarily converge together.

At low speeds, the Honda feels like a friendly, good car., she always walks on tiptoe, but never gets nervous. It looks right out of the box, tuned in by people who know how to build sports cars. It is full of quality.

However, as I accelerate through the first three gears, I also realize that this is a machine designed to destroy the competition. The more I push, the more comfortable it feels and wants to push. The 2.0 turbo V-TEC has an extension that lives up to its name: it has a good dose of turbo lag at low revs, but at about 4.000 rpm it ignites and explodes from 5.000 to 7.000. The Civic Type-R is a real rocket. 0-100 km / h in 5,7 seconds and 272 km / h maximum speeds - the numbers are remarkable, but it is the pace that shocks. I am convinced that few cars can keep up with such speed on such a road.

Good traction considering winter tires. IN limited slip differential the mechanic keeps the torque under control and the trajectory is the only thought. However, the car "dances" a little on the shoulder pads of the tires, and the steering becomes less precise for the same problem. But I still manage to understand the idea.

The trust that he conveys to the limit is very great: ago he moves a little, and when this happens he does it a few degrees and immediately stops. This makes it less maneuverable than expected in very tough mixed conditions, but encourages you to push yourself 100% without fear of a bad end. Even engine it suffers in the strait, where turbo lag and its urge to stretch require straight sections as well as gear ratios. Only at speeds above 130 km / h does the car take on its true dimensions, so in a fast mixed race (and on the track) it becomes a destructive weapon.

La braking this is one of my favorite parts. Let's leave aside the fact that the rubber (I know it does) can't keep up with the braking power of the discs, but it's the balance that I like. Each time the vehicle is disengaged, instead of being jammed by overloading the front wheels, it “squeezes” from the rear, creating a lot of braking force and little load transfer. It's as if every time you brake hard, someone drops an 80 kg load into the trunk. So, you walk into a corner with a car perfectly neutral and ready to do what you want, including with a progressive and modular pedal like the best supercars.

CONCLUSIONS

Therefore Honda Civic Type-R is Millore front wheel drive sports compact on the market?

La Hyundai i30 N Performance this is the rival he should fear the most (the work the ex-BMW M guys have done is wonderful). It's as precise, tough and attractive as the Civic, but lacks power and is still a little green. So yeah, Honda is arguably the best front-wheel drive sports compact car on the market, perhaps even better than all-wheel drive.

It is lightning fast, perfectly tuned and fun, like some of the others. I will wait to try this summer with summer tires to finally appreciate; while i can say that with the price 38.000 euro, 320 hp, lots of space and Honda quality, I consider her the queen. As long as you appreciate the glance of Her Majesty.