HONDA CIVIC TYPE R

PRICE From $50,990 WARRANTY 5 years/unlimited km CAPPED SERVICING Not yet published SERVICE INTERVAL 12 months/10,000km SAFETY 6 airbags, not rated ENGINE 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo, 228kW/400Nm TRANSMISSION 6-speed man; FWD THIRST 8.8L/100km DIMENSIONS 4557mm (L), 1877mm (W), 1421mm (H), 2700mm (WB) WEIGHT 1393kg SPARE None; inflation kit 0-100KM/H 6.2 secs satellite timing equipment and the Type R’s launch control and “Race” mode, is a pair of 6.2second runs.

Second gear runs out at a true 98km/h (versus 102km/h indicated on the speedometer); the shift to third costs valuable fractions of a second in the sprint to 100km/h.

This makes the Type R slower to the speed limit than a VW Golf GTI and Subaru WRX, both of which are cheaper.

At $50,990 plus on-road costs the Type R is in the same price bracket as the much faster, all-wheel drive VW Golf R (4.9 seconds on our timing equipment) and Ford Focus RS (5.2 seconds).

Of course, performance is not all about straight-line speed and the Type R more than compensates in other areas.

If you want to reach its potential you need to also reach for the six-speed manual’s titanium gearknob.

“Rev-matching” technology makes every gear shift smooth, which is handy given the engine is so highly strung (at 110km/h in sixth gear, the tachometer shows 2600rpm).

Once in the engine’s sweet spot, the Type R is a missile. The power comes on in an exhilarating rush, making up for time lost lower in the rev range.

But exploiting it requires concentration. You can feel the steering wheel wriggle as the front tyres scramble for grip, especially in first and second gears.