The new Honda Civic Type-R has grown up in all the right ways and remains stunning to drive – but there’s a catch

AS humans we’re at the peak of our powers in our twenties.

Turning 21 is the landmark birthday when we are considered a proper grown-up.

At the same time, we’re also in the prime of our health, fitness and pulling power — our bellies aren’t hiding our bits, the light’s not bouncing off our scalps, our teeth are less yellow.

The UK’s Honda Civic Type R turned 21 this year.

Not only has it matured but it is fitter and faster than ever.

It has finally come of age.

I’ve always loved a Type R but the only thing about the last one is you feel a bit of a twat in it.

It looks like it was designed by a 12-year-old. That’s the yellow car in the pictures.

This new one is much more my cup of tea.

Not only does it look more sophisticated, it has been finessed under the skin by engineers to be the absolute best front-wheel drive hot hatch it can be.

Power is up 9hp to 329hp. Torque is up 20Nm to 420Nm.

The turbo has been revised with input from Red Bull’s F1 team.

The exhaust has been straightened to reduce back pressure.

Aero tweaks improve downforce at speed.

Steering and suspension tweaks improve, er, steering feel and ride and handling.

A lighter flywheel means faster throttle “blipping” on the downshift — and now includes second to first gear.

The gear shift link is tighter.

The body is longer, wider and stiffer. It rolls on fatter tyres. The brakes have more bite. You sit lower.

Put all that together and what you end up with is a chassis as sparkly as Strictly’s glitterball — and a willing dance partner.

It’s very satisfying. And very fast. But more than that, you can feel exactly what is going on beneath you.

Nothing surprises you. It won’t suddenly snap on you and tie your arms like a pretzel.

Braking stability — even in the wet — is mighty impressive.

Tucking the nose in with a little lift-off oversteer on a long, fast corner (Ayrton Senna’s Parabolica at Estoril) had me grinning like an idiot.

What I’m trying to say is, you need to feel comfortable and confident in a car in order to go fast — and the Type R gives you all that in spades.

Now let’s look at the cabin.

It’s very red. But also much-improved over the old car in terms of comfort, design and tech.

The onboard computer has performance data and ranking scores should you go for a track day blast. And you should.

That’s the only way to truly appreciate the talents of this high-revving, highly- responsive car.

But I do have a grumble.

Just like the rest of it, the price has matured too. It costs FORTY-SIX THOUSAND pounds.

Which means you have to be a proper grown-up to afford it.

You can have a Mercedes A35 for that kind of money. And that’s got AWD. And the badge.

On the other hand, the Type R will be rarer than rocking horse poo.

Supply will be limited to around 250 cars a year.

And we all know this is the last pure petrol Type R.

Brilliant car. Expensive. But a nailed-on future classic.

I’d go Championship White with the carbon pack because I’m a man child.

ASBO hot hatch finally grows up

HONDA promised the “joy of driving” will continue in the future and teased two new electric sports cars – a specialist and a flagship model.

They’ll use solid-state batteries and should be with us in 2026.

Solid-state batteries are double the density of lithium-ion, cheaper, faster to charge, and use much less of the most valuable resources.

I can see Civic Type R following suit some day.

Before all that, Honda will bring out an HR-V-sized electric crossover called e:NY1 next year, as well as ZR-V hybrid and an all-new bigger CR-V, which is a plug-in hybrid.

Honda will also make cars with Sony from 2026.

PlayStation on wheels?