TRACK NOTES

It was with irritating precision that the arrival of light drizzle coincided with the Civic’s first foray onto the ‘dry’ handling circuit at MIRA. It meant the Honda — successor to the VW Golf GTI Clubsport S’s King of the Nürburgring title — had no chance to match the impressive lap time laid down at this facility by its rival, although we suspect it would have done so had conditions been kinder.

It’s a suspicion partially grounded in the direction-changing capabilities of this car’s chassis. It is capable of jinking into corners with a crisp ferocity that can take your breath away. Smooth, circuit-worthy tarmac also allows the mechanical limited-slip differential in the front axle to work to greatest effect, the car’s nose tracking from apex to exit kerb under all but the most insensitive use of the throttle. Track-day regulars will enjoy this car, particularly as the brakes absorbed the abuse with surprising ease.