For the first time in the Type R's history it is now force-fed by turbo which enables the 2-0-litre VTEC engine to kick out 228kW and 400Nm to blast it from 0-100km/h in 5.7 sec and on to a class-leading top speed of 270km/h. A huge tick behind its name also is a lap time of 7min 50,63sec around the legendary 20,8km Nurburgring Nordschleife circuit in Germany, the ultimate testing ground for any car's speed and performance.
To underline its racing credentials Honda SA chose the Killarney Race Track as part of the car's introduction to the motoring media - and I must say it is one of the most exciting cars of this ilk I have yet driven around any track, to the extent that I preferred it to some of the benchmark models in this class, mainly because of the degree of involvement the car offers a lead-footed driver.
What impressed as much as the car's willingness to gallop at maximum performance, is the way it clings to the tar which has as much to the do with its sophisticated suspension-steering set-up as the fact that it rides on specially developed 235/35 Continental SportContac 6 rubber that sticks to the tarmac like glue.
The Type R is one of those cars that looks like it is going flat-out even when parked at the kerb, yet the looks are not just eye-pleasing, but purpose-designed to direct airflow, minimise drag and to provide maximum high-speed stability.
The most outstanding feature of the Type R is its large and impressive rear wing aerofoil (a la the older Subaru WRX models, but just more in your face). A close second in the eye-candy department is its large race-styled alloys and prominent upper and lower grilles and side air vents. To add some go-faster styling the front spoilers and door sills are finished in piano-gloss which highlights the car's wide and low stanch. A range of bright colours such as Crystal black (a personal favourite), Polished Metal, Sporty Blue and Milano Red adds further race track looks.
The R's wild child character is further enhanced by its driver-focussed cockpit, complete with black and red racing seats (great for the track but a tad bum-numbing on long stretches of public road).
Features include a flat-bottomed steering wheel, stubby gear lever, perfectly located for the driver's left hand (the short-throw six-speed gearbox is super slick). A multi-info display is well-situated and offers different screens which show additional information. Particularly useful is a display of lights that show the driver the optimal point when to change gears. Also handy is a gear shift display that shows the selected gear within 0,2sec of a gear change.
However, although the R-Type is mainly about performance it also has impressive comfort and convenience features including dual-zone automatic climate control, cruise control with speed limiter, keyless smart entry, LED lights and rain-sensing windscreen wipers. It also boasts electric front and rear windows, retractable exterior mirrors, remote central locking, front and rear parking sensors (with rear-view parking camera) and a multi-function steering wheel and sexy red ambient cabin lighting.
Its infotainment system is intuitive and simple to use (with familiar "pinch, swipe and wipe" functionality of a smartphone). The sound system is top class with a six-speaker set-up to please music lovers (but why would want to listen to any other music than that produced from the snarl and growl of the car's engine and exhaust system, I don't know).
Reassuring is the fact that the Type R has the backing of a five-star EuroNCAP safety rating and is fitted with six airbags, restraint systems (including whiplash-reducing front headrests), and active electronic safety systems.
After our stint on the race track we pointed the R Type out into traffic on a route that took us from Killarney via Durbanville and then to the N1 via Malmesbury, down along the R300 to the N2 past the airport, and then back to Killarney. Our drive was impressive in many ways and it illustrated that Honda's new pocket rocket is an easy car to drive sedately on public roads and the only pleasant distraction was the large number of shouts, waves and cellphone photo grabs as we cruised along the at times congested motorways or were stationary at traffic lights.
I have always enjoyed and liked the Type R hot Honda, but I no longer just like it - now I love it!
The Type R is available in limited numbers and its price of R586,400 includes a five-year/200,000km warranty, a five-year/90,000km service plan and three-year AA roadside assistance.
