The Civic Type R's high-revving, naturally aspirated, 2.0-litre i-VTEC engine pumps out 148 kW and 193 Nm - enough to see it sprint to 100 km/h in some 6.6 seconds.

A six-speed manual gearbox combined with firm MacPherson-strut style front suspension and torsion beam rear suspension indicate that the Honda hatch has driving pleasure in mind. Body-hugging Alcantara bucket seats keep the driver firmly planted when cornering.

The Civic Type R rides on 18-inch alloy wheels shod with 225/40 R18 tyres, and stops with 300 mm front and 260 mm rear brake discs.

Fuel economy is 9.3 litres per 100 km on premium (95 RON) unleaded.

With safety being a high priority for Honda, the Civic Type R receives front, side and curtain airbags, Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), ABS brakes with Electronic Brake force Distribution and an Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure. A fourth-generation rolling code, anti-theft immobiliser provides additional security for the car.

Honda hasn't forgotten comfort either, with the Type R boasting creature comforts and electronic gadgets such as automatic rain-sensing windscreen wipers, auto on/off headlights, an MP3 and WMA-compatible CD player, multi-function trip computer, cruise control, front fog lights, dual-zone climate control and a leather-bound tilt and telescopic adjustable steering wheel.

The Civic Type R features Honda's "magic seat" system, allowing the rear seats to fold to provide a fully flat rear cargo floor. Folding the rear seats flat increases the usable boot space from 485 litres (VDA) to 1,352 litres.

The Civic Type R is available in three colours - Milano Red, Alabaster Silver and Nighthawk Black, each sharing the same black and red interior.

Honda expects to sell 100 Civic Type Rs per month at a recommended retail price beginning at $39,990. At this price, the Next Car team sees the class leading Volkswagen Golf GTI as a far more attractive proposition.

Major Features

• 2.0-litre DOHC i-VTEC engine with 148 kW and 193 Nm
• Tachometer (rev counter)
• External temperature gauge (built into odometer)
• Digital fuel consumption display
• Multi-function driver computer
• Cruise control
• Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA)
• Drive By Wire (DBW)
• Dual front airbags
• Dual side airbags
• Dual curtain airbags - front and rear
• Four channel Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
• Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD)
• Emergency Brake Assist
• Front disc brakes - 300 mm
• Rear disc brakes - 260 mm
• Side impact protection beams
• Front seatbelt pre-tensioners
• 4 x 3 point seatbelts
• Child seat restraint mechanism
• Rolling code ECU engine immobiliser
• Remote keyless entry with central locking
• Electric adjustable and heated door mirrors
• Twin chrome exhaust
• Power folding door mirrors
• Automatic headlights
• Front fog lights
• Dual-zone climate control
• Drilled aluminium sports pedals
• Alloy gear knob with red stitched leather boot
• Electric power-assisted steering
• Leather wrapped steering wheel (red stitching)
• Leather multi-function steering wheel
• Tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustment
• Rain sensing windscreen wipers
• Ticket/card holder
• Type R Alcantara sports seats
• 60:40 split folding rear seats
• Single CD tuner with MP3 & WMA capability
• Front & rear speakers with tweeters