The 2016 Honda Civic Type R should totally make it to America, because it's the tuner car with a factory warranty you've been all waiting for.
Okay, so gone are the hood vents, rear fender cutouts and the crazy tail lamp extensions that I loved on the concept version of this car. Yes, it's a real shame about the lamps, but what remained in the package still promises lots of fun.
Honda also announced this morning that the Civic Type R will start at £29,995 in the UK, and the upmodel GT version will start at £32,295. That puts it about on par with the WRX STI.
Under the metal, you'll find 310 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque available from low down, and a dual axis strut front suspension with mechanical LSD to help the front wheels deal with all that power. The Type R is a 167 mph car, which is not half bad for a practical hatchback.
When it comes to styling, it's all about the show with this one. Red-black-white everything including the seats, buttons, belts and brake calipers. The Type R also has lots of stripes, wings, vents, a massive diffuser and a pair of dual exhaust that could be bolted on a Nissan GTR based on their diameter.
Inside, it's the thick bucket seat experience with the familiar aluminum shifter positioned just right and a digital display telling you many things about your driving style. Those numbers shall be high.
Overall, it does feel a bit childish and plasticy, but this is a pre-production car and it's good to see Honda re-entering the game with a shout. The Ford Focus RS might be more grown up, but this is a properly angry dragon that should be able to chase it all day long.
If it makes it to America, that is.
Photo credit: Máté Petrány/Jalopnik
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