‘Do nothing and you’ll get beat’ is an old motorsport saying familiar to the engineers at Honda.
Hence the detail changes included in the ’09 Civic Type R are designed to make it even racier.
So performance car fans take note: amongst other upgrades, the ’09 Civic Type R gains a limited slip differential and after a week behind the wheel, Car Showroom can confirm the improvement is significant.
What You Get
It’s simple: if you’re a performance car enthusiast and the Honda Civic Type R doesn’t accelerate your pulse…well don’t get too far from a defibrillator would be our suggestion.
Clearly one of the raciest naturally-aspirated 3-door hatchbacks on the planet, this 2.0-litre pocket rocket originates from Honda’s plant in Swindon, England and is one of our all-time favorites here at Car Showroom.
Sure the aggressive styling, stiff suspension, body-hugging sports seats and raucous, hard-revving 2.0-litre engine mean the Civic Type R is not everyone’s cup of tea. But performance car enthusiasts are prepared to overlook these day-to-day minor inconveniences.
Under the Hood
Honda’s superb 2.0-litre i-VTEC engine delivers 148kW at 7,800rpm and maximum torque of 193Nm at 5,600rpm. Drive is to the front wheels via a six-speed transmission and (new for ’09) limited slip differential.
Combine all that into a compact, aerodynamic, feature-packed three-door hatchback that tips the scales at only 1345kgs and the result is dynamic performance.
To compare with a benchmark: Volkswagen’s three-door Golf GTi (turbocharged 2.0-litre engine) delivers 147kW/280Nm and weighs 1340 kgs.
Some 90 per cent of the Type R’s torque is delivered as low as 2,500rpm but from 5,400rpm things really kick-in as the VTEC system switches the cam-timing to high-lift/longer duration valve opening.
The exhaust noise from the stylish twin tailpipes is – well it’s raucous, but in nice way (appreciated by pay-TV viewers of the British and German Touring Car Championship races).
Honda says the combined cycle fuel economy is 9.3l/100kms and CO2 emissions are 215g/km.
The Interior
As many lovers of performance cars have already discovered, the Honda interior designers know their stuff.
Type R gets superb Alcantara sports seats (driver’s height-adjustable), aluminium pedals and left footrest, beautiful sports trim materials and carpet, red-stitched leather for the gear lever and thick sporty steering wheel (with adjustments for height and reach naturally plus excellent spoke-mounted cruise control buttons). New for ’09 is a stylish (we think) red illumination system for the footwell.
Civic’s two-tier dashboard layout has been debated extensively. We can see the logic in having vital information clearly displayed in the upper level where it is easier for the driver to see. At night we particularly like the red illumination which gives a 3D effect where secondary information like the trip meter and outside temperature display seem to float in the center of the gauge.
For the audio there is a single CD tuner and included in the upgrades for ’09 is an auxiliary jack and USB port for improved MP3 connectivity.
The Type R actually shares the same massive luggage dimensions as the Civic five-door – that’s 485 litres with the 60:40 split rear seat in place or 1,352 litres with the seat folded flat.
Exterior & Styling
Honda says the Civic Type R looks sporty – not ‘blinged’ or ‘pimped’ – and the company is spot-on.
Sure there are ‘Type R’ logos on the front brake calipers and stainless steel door sills, but elsewhere only tasteful side skirts and wheel-arch surrounds plus front and rear spoilers – all finished in body color.
Front air intakes are larger than conventional Civics, there is some black honeycomb mesh in the grille, neat triangular fog lamps and those glorious chrome exhaust tips integrated into the rear bodywork.
Type R Civics sit on 18-inch alloy wheels and the ride height is 15mm lower than other Civic models.
Also new for 2009 is an additional exterior color – Honda calls it ‘Championship White’.
On the Road
No doubt the new-for-’09 limited slip differential enables the Civic Type R to go harder. Gone is the previous model’s mandatory judicious use of the right foot on wet roads.
We fluked perfect conditions for the run over our mountain test route – the roads were not flooded wet but they weren’t dry either…and that combination is the toughest of all. The ’09 Type R just uses its 148kW with ridiculous ease and, without wheelspin, accelerates even in second gear corners with abruptness and precision.
The trademark tremendous brakes, precise steering response and firm ride remains but the slippery diff has made massive changes to the Type R’s driving dynamics.
Challenges
In our minds, the issue with the Type R remains its single-mindedness. Like rivals in the segment, its appeal is limited and we reckon Honda could benefit from a five-door version of the Type R that would open the door (literally) to bigger numbers of buyers.
Verdict
Still a favorite with the Car Showroom team, the Type R has not been diluted by the 2009 upgrades – in fact we reckon the limited slip differential made this pocket rocket a whole lot better.
The Competition
The Type R retails for $41,990 while the 3-door Golf GTi ranges between $38,990- $41,490 and the Mini Cooper S is priced in the range of $39,900 - $42,250…anyone say they’re rivals?
Likewise the Renault Sport Megane is a worthy adversary - $43,990 in petrol form.
A bit more coin gets you into the Volvo T5 – although it’s not as edgy as the others.
Likes
Exhilarating drive improved by LSD; excellent interior
Dislikes
A five-door would be great; not the easiest in the city
