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Honda Civic Type S

With a ride hard enough to rattle out your fillings and huge bucket seats, the Civic Type R isn't practical enough for most people. Enter the new Type S, offering a good dose of the flagship's performance with extra luxuries and the Honda's versatile five-door body.

By Chris Thorp

January 2003

With a ride hard enough to rattle out your fillings and huge bucket seats, the Civic Type R isn't practical enough for most people. Enter the new Type S, offering a good dose of the flagship's performance with extra luxuries and the Honda's versatile five-door body.

From the outside, the Type S is set apart by unique 15-inch alloys, a mesh grille and rear spoiler, although our early production car was missing some details. The Type S badge appears on the tailgate, while 2.0 decals show that this Civic is the only one to get the 158bhp engine derived from the CR-V i-VTEC.

The S can't keep up with the Type R, but it still feels quick and agile on the road, with 0-62mph covered in 8.5 seconds and a top speed of 130mph. Peak power comes at 6,500rpm, while maximum torque isn't much lower at 5,000rpm, but in reality the engine seems strong throughout the rev range and is a joy to use. The ride has been softened, but it still boasts a sporty edge. Economy, meanwhile, puts many rivals to shame, with 37.7mpg and CO2 emissions of 178g/km helping to keep running costs down.

At ΂£14,995, the new model seems expensive against the ΂£15,995 range-topping Type R, but the extra spec should make up for it. Standard fare includes climate control, black part-leather trim and chrome fittings. Ford matches the Type S's practical five-door shape with its Focus ST170, but at ΂£16,495 this rival looks pricey and will cost more to run than the Honda.

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FIRST OPINION

    Compromising very little on the Civic Type R's good bits, and smoothing over its impractical failings, the new Type S is a breath of fresh air for those who need a five-door body. The 2.0-litre powerplant is punchy and performance is impressive, while economy and emissions should be well within family budgets.
 
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