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Motoring

Honda Civic Type R

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Pricey, but this firecracker delivers in spades

By Bill McCarthy

Where fire-breathing performance meets everyday practicality, Honda’s new Type R stands as a legendary contender.Subscribe to our daily newsletter!

The latest version is the fastest and sleekest to date and its launch marked 25 years of the iconic high-performance hatchback.

It has been engineered to deliver a stonking 329bhp from the two litre engine.

It also delivers everyday hatchback practicality with a total stowage space of 1,212 litres available.

That is a bonus to the rip-roaring performance delivered through a combination of lightweight components and increased power making it one of the highest power-to-weight ratios in its class, says Honda.

Here are some key highlights:

  • Performance and Handling: The Type R is features a powerful 329bhp, 1,996cc, 4-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine, which delivers blistering performance and excellent handling. It has a rigid body, performance-oriented suspension, and wide, low-profile 19-inch tyres for exceptional grip. It can achieve a top speed of 171mph and can accelerate from 0 to 60mph in just 5.4 seconds, making it a fast and exhilarating car to drive. The car offers three drive modes: Comfort, Sport, and a track-focused +R mode for maximum performance.
  • High Price Tag: The Type R comes with a hefty price tag of £49,090, making it a relatively expensive choice.
  • Exterior Design: It features an aggressive and stylish exterior design with angular edges, red accents, a prominent spoiler, and the signature triple exhaust.
  • Interior Features: Inside, the car boasts a sporty cockpit with a flat-bottomed, multifunction sports steering wheel, red stitching on black leather seats, and a seven-inch Honda CONNECT touchscreen for controlling various functions like sat nav, infotainment and smartphone connectivity.
  • Practicality: Despite its high-performance capabilities, the Type R offers practicality with a total stowage space of 1,212 litres, which is quite impressive for a hatchback and can swallow a fair amount of luggage.
  • Fuel Efficiency: Despite its performance capabilities, it maintains reasonable fuel efficiency with a claimed 34.4mpg and relatively low emissions of 186g/km.
  • Safety: The car comes equipped with comprehensive safety features, including traction and stability control, multiple airbags, and various active and passive safety measures.

The Type R offers a combination of rip roaring performance, practicality, and a stylish design. However, its high price tag may be a limiting factor for some buyers.

Without doubt the best yet, but then again, so were the previous versions.

Factfile

Honda Civic Type R

Price: £49,090

Engine: 329bhp, 1,996cc, 4cyl turbocharged petrol engine, driving front wheels, via a 6-speed manual gearbox

Max Speed: 171mph

0-60mph: 5.4 seconds

Combined mpg: 34.4

Insurance Group: 38

CO2 Emissions: 186g/km

Warranty: 3 years/90,000 miles

Family hatchback, Motoring, Peugeot, Saloon

Peugeot 408

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The striking profile of the Peugeot 408 attracted plenty of attention

Striking looks and road presence

By Bill McCarthy

Finding a stylish and technologically advanced car that turns heads is a challenge. Many cars lack the features and designs that make a true statement on the road. 

Peugeot’s dramatically styled 408 had the very unusual event of someone following me into a car park after seeing it drive past.

Convinced by the dark livery and fusion of SUV and fastback that it was the Lamborghini Urus.

You could see his point . . . to a point!

It is a dramatic makeover, sleeker and more aerodynamic.

Plus, the longer and lower dimensions of the car give it a dynamic and aerodynamic shape that exudes confidence on the road. 

Its blend of SUV and fastback elements, combined with its sleek and aerodynamic makeover, certainly contribute to its eye-catching presence on the road.

It offers a balance of stylish design, advanced technology, and decent performance. Its combination of SUV and fastback elements, along with the upgraded interior and safety features, definitely turns heads and makes a statement on the road.

Exterior

  • Dramatic and aerodynamic design with a fusion of SUV and fastback styling.
  • Long and low dimensions for a dynamic appearance.
  • Deep front grille and daytime running lights integrated into the front light clusters.
  • Impressive rear design with cat’s claw style LED rear lamps.
  • Lower bumper gloss black trim and twin chrome exhaust surrounds.
  • Tinted rear glass and smart new alloys enhancing its appearance.

Interior

  • Next-generation i-Cockpit interior with a compact multi-function steering wheel.
  • High-quality fixtures and fittings with logically placed controls and switchgear.
  • Standard features like a 180-degree Colour Reversing Camera, rear parking sensors, Advanced Emergency Braking, and Extended Traffic Sign Recognition.
  • Latest 10-inch touchscreen with the i-Connect infotainment system, activated by voice commands.
  • Navigation with TomTom Live updates, speed camera alerts, and i-Toggle feature for personalized shortcuts.

Performance and Handling:

  • 130bhp three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine.
  • 0-62mph in 10.4 seconds, max speed of 130mph.
  • Eight-speed automatic transmission with seamless shifts.
  • Eco, Normal, and Sport drive modes for different driving preferences.
  • Good handling and comfortable ride with effective suspension.

Practicality:

  • Competitive boot space of 536 litres, expanding to 1,611 litres with rear seats folded.
  • Safety features include stability control, airbags, active safety brake with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane assist, programmable cruise control, and driver attention alert.

Factfile

  • Peugeot 408 Allure Premium 1.2L PureTechPrice: £32,200
  • Engine: 130PS, 1199cc three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine
  • Max Speed: 130mph
  • 0-62mph: 10.4 seconds
  • Combined MPG: 41-48
  • Insurance Group: 19E
  • CO2 emissions: 129g/km
  • BIK rating: 30%
  • Warranty: 3 years/60,000 miles