Performance-focused Hondas have Palways garnered respect from the broader motoring fraternity. After all, the very first Type R, the 1991 NSX-R, was developed with input from F1 legend Ayrton Senna, and the DC2 Integra Type R is considered by many to be one of the best-handling front-wheel-drive cars ever made.
South Africa's firsthand fascination with the Type R badge was born at the moment the FN2-generation Civic was launched in 2007. It made use of the same highly strung naturally aspirated four-cylinder K20 engine also found in the previous-generation model from 2001. Unfortunately, the new model also gained mass compared with the outgoing car, and together with taller gearing for improved cruising ability, many fans were left feeling a tad frustrated.
Furthermore, by the time the FN2 was launched in South Africa, many of its direct rivals had already adopted turbocharging for added performance. Consequently, at this publication's January 2008 Performance Issue testing day, the hottest Honda at the time felt somewhat off the pace compared with the likes of the then-new Ford Focus ST, Opel Astra OPC, Renault Mégane RS, Subaru WRX STI and Volkswagen Golf 5 GTI.
That all changed when the FK2-generation Civic Type R arrived in 2015. Complete with a new turbocharged 2,0-litre powertrain, the newcomer would soon start to trouble the likes of the Mégane RS both on straights and through the bends.
With this further-evolved, even sharper FK8-generation Type R, Honda may have finally felt that it had the measure of its closest rivals - only for Volkswagen to raise its own hot-hatch game too, with its GTI Clubsport S rewriting the rules of what was thought possible for a front-wheel drive car around the notorious Nürburgring Nordschleife at the time.
Fast facts
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der CAR August 2023 -Ausgabe von CAR South Africa.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der CAR August 2023 -Ausgabe von CAR South Africa.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
CROSSOVER COUTURE
Opel has revived the Frontera nameplate once attached to its rugged Isuzu Frontier-based SUV from the 1990s and attached it to a stylish looking crossover set to arrive here next year.
BMW E36 M3 (1992-1999) SA's first taste of M
When conversing about modern-classic sportscars, few match the pedigree and heritage of the BMW M3.
SATISFACTION TO SORROW
Like the undulations from one side of the Kyalami's Mineshaft to the other, motorsport can deliver spectacular highs and petrifying lows.
FINAL FLING
Targeting his record eighth title, Lewis Hamilton will ditch his long-time Mercedes team for a Ferrari seat from 2025 onwards.
Ford Ranger 3.0TD V6 Platinum 4WD
The.battle for double-cab supremacy continues, with Ford’s luxurious new Ranger Platinum appealing to the lifestyle-oriented buyer
Mercedes-Benz GLE 450d Coupé 4Matic
A fresh face with the sleeker coupé roofline lifts the GLE's appeal, especially in 450d guise
Volvo EX30 Ultra Twin Motor Performance
Volvo's all-electric ambitions have been bolstered by the arrival of a new entry level model. Is the EX30 the model to change local opinion of EV motoring?
Niche knacks
They are about as deep in the crossover niche as it's possible to mine, but the Ford Puma and Volkswagen's Taigo are more closely matched than you'd think...
TOURING de FORCE
First unveiled at the 1967 Paris Motor Show as a replacement for the stunning Ferrari 330 GT 2+2, the 365 GT is about as accomplished a long distance tourer as you could wish for
Levelling up
Audi South Africa's expanded portfolio of special-edition models aims to combine the most popular specification requests into individual packages