RE: Honda Civic Type R: PH Fleet

RE: Honda Civic Type R: PH Fleet

Sunday 11th September 2016

Honda Civic Type R: PH Fleet

Golf GTI, Golf Clubsport S, Mini Challenge, Donington Park and the Nurburgring - a testing month for the Type R



Well I did say it would be a more interesting month! It's in fact ended with the service light on and another set of tyres required, but we'll deal with that next time.


The Nurburgring trip was a real highlight of the past month; I've written about how the car was at the track but it's worth dealing with the trip itself also. Despite its appearance, the Civic makes for a very good continental cruiser with loads of space, those great seats and a decent stereo also. Refinement could be a bit better - blame the tyre noise mainly - but it was a thoroughly pleasant journey across. Certainly a more comfortable one compared to the Mini JCW Challenge also in convoy, which wasn't expected.

Faster, too. OK, that was to be expected given the power advantage, but it's still a nice claim. The best route to the 'ring takes in some derestricted Autobahn, where the Civic was imperious. Up to about 120mph the two cars felt pretty evenly matched but from then on the Type R marched ahead; I saw 250km/h on the speedo with plenty left in reserve. It's so stable at those speeds as well, a mark of that aero work and very good for confidence too. I need to crack 160mph before it goes back!

It wasn't long back from Germany that the Civic joined in the fun at a deluged Donington. It wasn't the focus of attention with the Golf Clubsport S and a Mini Challenge (again) along, but it got out for a few laps because, well, it would have been rude not to. Even in dismal weather its brakes and grip felt fantastic, while at no point did it feel any slower than the Golf. This while still having the best gearshift of any hot hatch and perhaps the most practical shape too.


In fact, I'd go so far as to argue the Civic currently strikes the best blend between hot and hatch. Bear with me. People will still contest the styling, I get that. But underneath that it's still a Civic, a very spacious and useful five-door Civic. So the seats fold easily, there's plenty of headroom and the boot is massive: 475 litres seats up against 343 for a Golf R and 260 for a Focus RS. This while being more exciting to drive most of the time (we'll do a wet test when possible) and just as fast. I maintain the outgoing Megane is a more rewarding driver's car, but the Civic runs it jolly close and is, tedious though this may sound, actually a more rounded everyday car.

While we're on everyday concerns though, the turning circle is infuriating. It's been thrown into light this month after some time in a regular Golf GTI (with rear seats and everything), which made parking in the multi-storey at PH a comparative breeze. It desperately needs addressing at the facelift, or indeed new model. With the Golf in for evaluation, Honda should see how VW can get the seat nice and low as well

Finally, while considering what to change with this Civic Type R, time spent in the Dream Automotive car was most useful. The car can clearly handle more power with the right tweaks and there's scope for a tad more edge in the chassis too - time for a Type RR perhaps Honda?

With more than 8,000 miles now under its wheels and September upon us, it's time to think about the Civic's return to Honda sadly. Before then I'm really keen to try an old Type R or two, just to see if this VTEC turbo installation is that successful. More on that to (hopefully) follow!


FACT SHEET
Car:
 2016 Honda Civic Type R GT
Run by: Matt
On fleet since: March 2016
Mileage:8,435 (delivered on 625)
List price new: £32,960 (Type R GT at £32,295, plus £525 for Championship White paint and £140 for Elegance Floor Carpets)
Last month at a glance: Turns out this new Type R does get better over 8,000... miles, that is

Previous reports:
Welcome the first ever Type R to the PH Fleet!
Type R does fast brilliantly, but slow isn't so bad either
Civic squares up to its hot hatch nemesis
New tyres on, Matt takes the Civic... into a kerb
Shock, horror... is Matt warming to the Civic's looks?

 

 

 

 

   
Author
Discussion

Martin_Hx

Original Poster:

3,951 posts

197 months

Thursday 8th September 2016
quotequote all
Every Type-R has had a hideous turning circle, even my missus' old Accord, especially Coming from a big barge of a Merc which turned on a sixpence!

Must be a Honda thang driving

Thunder18

160 posts

118 months

Thursday 8th September 2016
quotequote all
You're sitting on the fuel tank in this car, hence the massive boot, but great, but not so low seats!! The new Type R already looks lower, sleeker, can't see an RR until the FMC given how late this version was to the party.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=5LgnhgPfAuY


MDMA .

8,849 posts

100 months

Thursday 8th September 2016
quotequote all
still not seen one on the road yet. I actually love the looks of them. look how modern and fresh it looks next to the Golf ( what still looks like a MK5 from 2004 ).

FN2TypeR

7,091 posts

92 months

Thursday 8th September 2016
quotequote all
Love it, cool

I have seen quite a few kicking around in Aberdeen of late - they aren't Golf R common, but they aren't a totally rare beast either. Very colour sensitive IMO, I think the white just doesn't work at all where as the grey and black look great, red and blue are decent too, but it would be grey if it were my money being stumped up.

I wonder how these things would do on a set of stickier tyres that some of its rivals are available on? Is there any chance of PH acquiring a set to find out before the car goes back?

Derek Chevalier

3,942 posts

172 months

Thursday 8th September 2016
quotequote all
FN2TypeR said:
I wonder how these things would do on a set of stickier tyres that some of its rivals are available on? Is there any chance of PH acquiring a set to find out before the car goes back?
Tested in the latest EVO. On a par with the Focus but slower than the Golf and Seat

SilverSpur

20,911 posts

246 months

Thursday 8th September 2016
quotequote all
So every olive seen on the road has been driven by middle aged slightly fraying or balding men of the age group 45-48 I'd guess.

I suspect these guys had Type Rs in this late twenties early thirties and they are trying to recapture their happier days.....


It don't work.

750turbo

6,164 posts

223 months

Thursday 8th September 2016
quotequote all
SilverSpur said:
So every olive seen on the road has been driven by middle aged slightly fraying or balding men of the age group 45-48 I'd guess.

I suspect these guys had Type Rs in this late twenties early thirties and they are trying to recapture their happier days.....


It don't work.
Do not talk utter pish - Some of us have been driving cars of this ilk constantly for years smile (Oh, and totally equally inappropriate (in your opinion at a guess?) Motorcycles!

Yes, I am old and grumpy, who cares!

Your smoker of choice is??

giveablondeabone

5,475 posts

154 months

Friday 9th September 2016
quotequote all
SilverSpur said:
So every olive seen on the road has been driven by middle aged slightly fraying or balding men of the age group 45-48 I'd guess.

I suspect these guys had Type Rs in this late twenties early thirties and they are trying to recapture their happier days.....


It don't work.
Bell.................End

Catatafish

1,361 posts

144 months

Friday 9th September 2016
quotequote all
What are road olives?

kayzee

2,781 posts

180 months

Friday 9th September 2016
quotequote all
Still not seen one of these on the road frown seen quite a few Focus RS!

Golf looks so bland in comparison. Maybe that's what some people want though.

SilverSpur

20,911 posts

246 months

Friday 9th September 2016
quotequote all
SilverSpur said:
So every one I've seen on the road has been driven by middle aged slightly fraying or balding men of the age group 45-48 I'd guess.

I suspect these guys had Type Rs in this late twenties early thirties and they are trying to recapture their happier days.....


It don't work.
My point is I haven't seen any one who appears under thirty driving one.

SilverSpur

20,911 posts

246 months

Friday 9th September 2016
quotequote all
Catatafish said:
What are road olives?
iPad making stuff up....

mp3manager

4,254 posts

195 months

Friday 9th September 2016
quotequote all
SilverSpur said:
Catatafish said:
What are road olives?
iPad making stuff up....
It's not the only one talking tripe then.

Relax

39 posts

93 months

Saturday 10th September 2016
quotequote all
SilverSpur said:
SilverSpur said:
So every one I've seen on the road has been driven by middle aged slightly fraying or balding men of the age group 45-48 I'd guess.

I suspect these guys had Type Rs in this late twenties early thirties and they are trying to recapture their happier days.....

Good for them maybe you should take your brain out of neutral and select a gear......


It don't work.
My point is I haven't seen any one who appears under thirty driving one.

nickfrog

20,871 posts

216 months

Saturday 10th September 2016
quotequote all
SilverSpur said:
SilverSpur said:
So every one I've seen on the road has been driven by middle aged slightly fraying or balding men of the age group 45-48 I'd guess.

I suspect these guys had Type Rs in this late twenties early thirties and they are trying to recapture their happier days.....


It don't work.
My point is I haven't seen any one who appears under thirty driving one.
You didn't make it very well. What's the relevance anyway ?

Just worry about yourself rather than why other people choose a car. Not that you're right anyway.



TameRacingDriver

18,047 posts

271 months

Saturday 10th September 2016
quotequote all
Derek Chevalier said:
Tested in the latest EVO. On a par with the Focus but slower than the Golf and Seat
Have to say I'd be disappointed with that if I owned one of these new Type-Rs (or indeed, the Focus), to have something so bland looking be faster than my super lairy rice wagon hehe

rb5er

11,657 posts

171 months

Saturday 10th September 2016
quotequote all
Surely there will be a fuller review of the Golf and Civic comparison? This can't be it.

Löyly

17,990 posts

158 months

Saturday 10th September 2016
quotequote all
FN2TypeR said:
Love it, cool

I have seen quite a few kicking around in Aberdeen of late - they aren't Golf R common, but they aren't a totally rare beast either. Very colour sensitive IMO, I think the white just doesn't work at all where as the grey and black look great, red and blue are decent too, but it would be grey if it were my money being stumped up.

I wonder how these things would do on a set of stickier tyres that some of its rivals are available on? Is there any chance of PH acquiring a set to find out before the car goes back?
They had a blue one outside Newcastle Honda the last time I was there. It looks absolutely fantastic in that colour. I've never thought the press photos really capture the excitement of seeing it yourself as you move around it.

Given the sort of money I like to spend and the sort of drive I like I think I'd be better off in a RenaultSport Megane. But against the more current competition of the Focus RS and the Golf R, I think Honda have really knocked it out of the park with this car, much as I thought they would.

As humdrum as it is, I can quite imagine the everyday usefulness of the CTR. My wife has an i-Dtec Civic of that generation and it is an absolutely top family car. I actually really enjoy using it.

750turbo

6,164 posts

223 months

Saturday 10th September 2016
quotequote all
SilverSpur said:
SilverSpur said:
So every one I've seen on the road has been driven by middle aged slightly fraying or balding men of the age group 45-48 I'd guess.

I suspect these guys had Type Rs in this late twenties early thirties and they are trying to recapture their happier days.....


It don't work.
My point is I haven't seen any one who appears under thirty driving one.
Can anyone under 30 "realistically" afford to buy (hire/rent/PCP, whatever..) one of these without bankrupting themselves though?

At that age (although I was lucky enough to have a company car) I was more concerned about keeping my head above the water, financially, without pissing it up the wall on a nice car!

jl4069

195 posts

101 months

Saturday 10th September 2016
quotequote all
Derek Chevalier said:
Tested in the latest EVO. On a par with the Focus but slower than the Golf and Seat
I must say that Evo review was much more honest and revealing a test about the Type R then anything written here. They just spend more time with the cars and drive them in more condrions and have the words to explain it all. Here on PH its much more limited a set of variables used. I urge folks to read the new Evo test of hatches.