With a claimed 0-100km/h sprint time of 5.7 seconds flat it not only beats the iconic VW Golf GTI, but also the Renault Clio RS 200Cup, Ford Fiesta ST, two of the three Subaru WRX models, the Opel Astra OPC, the Toyota 86 two-door and the Renault Megane RS LUX 265. Its turbo-fed 2-litre VTEC engine blasts out 228kW and 400Nm which rockets the Type R to a claimed top speed of 270 km/h and to an impressive 7 min 50,63 sec lap time around the ultimate 20,8km speed and cling testing ground of the Nurburgring Nordschleife circuit in Germany.
Even parked at the kerbside the hot Honda oozes excitement with its fighter-jet style huge rear wing aerofoil, low profile racing-rubbers wrapped around black and red alloys, bazooka-like exhaust outlets, menacing black mesh grille and glaring red Type R and Honda badging. Not for nothing is the Type R described by Honda as a “race car for the road” because it dishes up generous helpings of driving fun. I enjoyed it immensely at the media launch when we had the opportunity to put to the test on the Killarney race track in Cape Town.
This time round I had the Type R for a week and for one day it shared the parking space at our house with another stunning newcomer, the new Ford Mustang GT and it was difficult to say which one of the two attracted the most attention – the big, thunderous and very bright yellow Ford or the low-crouching Sporty Blue Honda.
With its wild looks the Honda drew fans of all ages but it was the younger robot racer lads (and quite a few lasses) whose oohs and aahs were the most enthusiastic wherever I parked the car. If I had a bottle of wine for every time the R-Type was touched and photographed I wouldn’t have to buy wine for a year!
I must say even my rather conservative (Toyota-owner) wife enjoyed the Honda, once she got used to the wrap-around red and black racing seats and the bright red seat belts. I liked its user friendly touch screen and driver focused layout of the instruments and gauges, the stubby chrome-headed gear lever, small, flat-bottomed, multi-functional steering wheel and the series of lights which flash to optimise gear changes.
Other sexy goodies include electric windows, a six-speaker sound system, sporty ambient red cabin lighting, dual-zone climate control, LED lights, front and rear parking sensors (with rear-view camera) and retractable side mirrors.
With its sporty nature it is reassuring that occupant protection include six airbags, a restraint system (including whiplash-reducing front headrests), plus a host of active electronic safety systems, all contributing to a five-star EuropNCAP safety rating.
With a price tag of nearly R600,000 this sizzler is beyond the reach of many fans but I have to concur with the 73 judges from 23 countries who rate it exciting and good enough to make the Big Five group fighting it out for the sought-after title of World Performance Car.
The winner will be announced at the New York motor show on 24 March and I reckon this R-Type stands a fair chance of being crowned, particularly with its impressive record of having been launched only in September in Europe it then winning the drivers and constructors championship in the British Touring Car Championship.
The French magazines Echappement and L’Automobile Sportive also declared it the sports car of the year. Honda is no stranger to World Car of the Year awards (having won two awards already) but winning the performance car title will probably be the ultimate achievement to date for the brand – and a healthy sales boost for the R-Type which must rate as one of, if not THE most exciting car in its class.
