Back in the 1980s, Volkswagen were responsible for the biggest change in motoring history.
They put a fast, high-performance engine in a small hatchback. It was called the Golf GTi, and the motoring world had never seen anything like it before.
Every car manufacturer then set about making a rival vehicle. There were plenty of competitors over the years, but one captured the hearts of petrolheads everywhere: The Honda Civic Type R.
It was ferocious, stylish, and brilliant in every way. It was the only car that came close to overshadowing the Golf GTi’s legacy. And then it disappeared. For a long time. Honda continued to produce the standard Civic, and it continued with its respectable range of family cars. In fact, you can take a glance at the impressive range here: http://www.traversautos.com/used-honda-ballwin-mo. Honda moved on, but motorists never forgot about the Type R. Now, it’s back. 2015 saw the return of the legend. But, does it live up to expectations? We took to the wheel to find out.
Rivals – First of all, let’s take a look around us at the current world of hot hatchbacks. We’ve entered a new generation where the Golf GTi no longer dominates proceedings. In fact, it’s the Ford Fiesta ST and the Ford Focus ST that have claimed the throne. Has the new Type R got what it takes to beat both the Fords and the VW?
Engine – This is what you all came to see. Does the engine have what it takes to hunt down its rivals? We heard whispers for a long time, but here are the official stats. The engine is a respectable 2 litre, 4 cylinder affair, with a VTEC turbo. It will create a fierce 306bhp. These figures trounce the Ford ST models, and inches ahead of the Golf. So far, so good.
Handling – Of course, power is nothing if the car doesn’t know how to handle it. Luckily, Honda have perfected the art of racing and handling over the years. The new Type R is as plucky and grippy as they come. It will hold its own in the corners, and roar out of them with excellent acceleration. You can brake late, and throw it into the turns with confidence. It’s responsive, agile, and racey. It’s everything we hoped for. Does it handle better than the Fiesta ST? It’s a close call, but the ST is just a tiny bit more exciting.
Practicality – No-one is buying the Type R for its practicality, but its credentials are worth mentioning. Why? Because it edges out the competition significantly here. The Type R is more spacious and practical than any of its rivals. It will transform from speed racer into family car in a split second. And that’s great for keeping the kids happy.
Does the 2015 Type R live up to expectations? Absolutely. Does it top the charts as the best hot hatchback? It’s a very close call, and you’ll have to make your own decision on that! As a petrolhead, it’s wonderful to see the Type R back in the competition!
