He'd probably be a bit faster with a diesel
However, we have it on good authority that Honda is seeking to redress the balance, and take the fight to the best of Europe’s diesel-powered hot hatches.
While the current Civic shares the 2.2-litre diesel with its larger Accord stablemate, the engine’s 138bhp and 251lb-ft lag behind the 168bhp/258lb-ft of the Golf GT and Renaultsport Megane dCI’s 173bhp/265lb-ft outputs.
However, Honda has recently announced that they are developing cleaner and more powerful diesel engines for the Accord’s replacement, meaning that a revised 2.2 with more power may be headed for a Civic Type-RD sometime soon.
Power outputs currently circulating rate the engine at 180bhp and over 300lb-ft of torque, although in keeping with current Typre-R philosophy, the engine should rev relatively highly, even for an oil-burner.