Time has been kind to the Mk2 Honda Civic Type R (2007 to 2012).
At launch and throughout much of its life, it suffered comparisons with its celebrated predecessor, critics bemoaning its low-tech torsion beam rear suspension, greater weight and token power increase. Today, as the miles have rolled by and prices have fallen to as little as £5000 for a tidy, privately sold, 2007 car, the model’s finer qualities – linear performance, impressive grip and improved steering – have moved to the fore. It can take no end of relatively inexpensive tuning, too.
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The FN2, as it is known, is powered by an improved version of its forerunner’s 2.0-litre i-VTEC engine, this time doling out 198bhp but just 142lb ft at a high-ish 5600rpm. It may be only slightly more powerful, but it has a better spread of torque across a wider rev range, and without the old model’s irritating (some say thrilling) step up in power. Shorter gear ratios help to combat the car’s extra weight, ensuring the FN2 cracks 0-62mph in 6.8sec – the same as the first one.
Standard versions are well equipped, highlights being 18in alloy wheels, drilled pedals and aluminium footrests, an alloy gearknob and – praise God – a big red starter button. GT versions are the most popular and have cruise and climate control, among other things. No prizes for guessing what Navigation models have.
A mild facelift in 2008 heralded the arrival of the Championship White edition, based on the GT but with a limited-slip differential. (Eventually, all versions from late 2009 had one.) This version holds its value quite well.
The Mugen arrived in 2009, costing a cool £35,299 and packing an additional 39bhp, an 8600rpm redline, a quick-shift gearbox and uprated suspension. Only 16 were imported, a further four with 2.2-litre engines and 256bhp arriving in 2011. In 2010, those who couldn’t find the readies for the Mugen could vent their frustration on the Type R Mugen 200, based on the Championship White but with Mugen styling and, as the name suggests, limited to 200 cars.
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