Sporty Civic is a real sizzler

Dec 1 2008 John Connor

ALL manufacturers are aware that if they have a race bred model in their line-up, it is always worthwhile offering a look-alike to motorists on tighter budgets.

Honda is no different. Its Civic Type R is a superb piece of racing kit in road form.

And to satisfy demand it offers the Type S, a look-alike with a more demure performance.

But in response to buyers' demands it has upped the ante and has just announced a new Type S that is even closer to the sporty Type R.

This new version of the S now has a wider rear track and revised damper and spring settings.

There are new body coloured bumpers and skirts, and it even boasts the distinctive black honeycomb grille of the Type R.

The rear also gets the big brother treatment. The new light combination and bumpers make the car look even lower than it is.

Its 17-inch alloys add to this overall look but that is not the end to the design tweaking.

The interior has been refreshed. There is, for instance, brushed metal trim and matt finish to the instrument console, whilst the fabrics have been upgraded to enhance the Alcantara sports seats.

iPod connectivity is offered on GT grades and there are three new colours - Crystal Black Pearl, Polished Metal Metallic and Deep Sapphire Blue Pearl.

Honda is quite upbeat about this new model. It says: "Our Type R is often described as raw - like a rare steak, and so we like to think of the new Type S as a nicely gilled sirloin. Or as a positive sizzler with more affordable running costs."

This car has the looks and yet it is not short on performance. It redlines at 127mph yet is economical to run thanks to a new 1.4 petrol engine, which acts as though it was a 1.6 unit.

Whilst this economical touch has been added to the model line-up for 2009, the current 1.8 VTEC and 2.2i-CTDi engines continue to feature in the Civic range.

The Type S, says Honda, is the ideal model for customers who tend to be younger than the Type R and five-door Civic owners, because they want a car that has sporty looks yet is more economical with the costs.

This latest Type S fits the bill exactly.

The 1.8 is a top class performer but the new 1.4 will steal the show.

Its compact yet powerful i-VTEC engine's low emission rating of 135g/km, its average mpg of 47.9 and its cleverly targeted starting pricing of £17,830 is spot on.