In an attempt at complete and total honesty, I just have to say: There are sports cars, and then there are cars with “sport” trim levels – AND THEY ARE NOT THE SAME! It’s like people who own dogs and call them their kids. While I am sure that they love their canine companion with an unwavering commitment, that dog is never going to become a human. At the end of the day, that furry little guy can be left for hours at a time to his own devices. Try that with an actual human child, and DCFS would be on their feet faster than Ford backed out of Mexico when Trump became President.
The Honda Civic Thinks it’s a Sports Car
So, now that we are clear on the fact that an ace cannot become a spade, let’s talk about the latest news out of Geneva, Switzerland. Honda. An auto brand that I love, and have the utmost respect for. However, when the Japanese car manufacturer revealed its newest Civic model, my undying devotion was abruptly interrupted.
The Civic has been a staple in the Honda lineup since 1972 and competes in the compact car segment flawlessly. With impressive specs, a low MSRP, and plenty of awards under its belt – there aren’t a lot of reasons not to love the four-door sedan. The success of the Civic over the past four and half decades has been incredible, especially considering just how many options are available in the midsize car segment.
Apparently, Honda got the idea that the Civic was in need of added power and performance specs. Maybe it does, and maybe it doesn’t, but neither matters. The Civic Type R was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show the first week in March, and the five-door hatchback is being plugged as “the fastest, most powerful Honda yet to be sold in the U.S.” – exciting, right? Maybe. While I tend to err on the skeptical side of most everything, this one has me puzzled. This all-new Civic Type R features a 2-liter four-cylinder engine with 306 horsepower and is paired with a six-speed manual transmission. Great, right? Who doesn’t enjoy a little extra oomph on their daily commute? To truly commit to this new sports car identity, Honda has designed the Civic Type R with Brembo brakes, paddle shifters, and an upgraded chassis and body. Most people would take no issue with this sort of sky’s the limit endeavor, but I’m not most people. On top of the sportscar facade, the new Civic Type R is expected to feature a starting MSRP hovering somewhere between $30,000 and $40,000.
In my estimation, Honda is trying a little too hard to transform the practical Civic sedan into an impractical sports car. It will be up to the public and consumers to decide whether or the Type R truly has the DNA of a sports car, or if it’s simply an imposter. The answer might not be as clear as the fact that your neighbor’s fur-child is, in fact, a dog, but the truth will surface soon enough. Until that time comes, we will sit, wait, and amuse ourselves with the fact that Honda is attempting to turn the practical Civic sedan into a performance hatchback.
