Honda Civic Type S 2.2 CDTi (2006) CAR review

Looks tasty, what’s it all about?

It’s basically a regular Civic that’s raided the Type R’s glam-rock make up box. It’s also the nearest we’ll come to the Type R proper until March 2007 when you’ll be able to buy the real thing. Only Types S and R get the new three-door body, although in reality it’s difficult to tell three and five apart, so neat is the more practical version’s design.

So it’s a stickers and spoilers job, a no-go showboat.

If you like, but it's still worth a look. Whether you’re inside admiring the hi-tech multi-level dash or outside taking in the stubby proportions and nose down stance, the Civic has the competition licked for style. But yes, the running gear is basically the same as a regular Civic's apart from the uprated suspension. So you’ve got a choice between the two existing 140bhp engines, a 1.8-litre petrol with 128lb ft of torque and a 2.2 common rail diesel with double the twisting power.