Two days later, I am still buzzing over the newly-announced Honda Civic Type R.
The hottest version of the 11th-generation Honda Civic looks absolutely fantastic. It resolves everything that was wrong with the previous generation Type R. The gaudy body cladding and fake vents are gone. The new Type R is way more subtle, with just hints of aggression. The wheels are 19-inch items now, instead of overly large 20-inch units on the last car. Even the prerequisite “big wing” at the back is now colored in black, blending in nicely with the rear windscreen. It's as if legendary Honda tuner Spoon did the styling on the new car. If you know, you know.
Fitting, then, that the new Civic Type R will be made in Japan. The Swindon plant in the UK - production home of the previous Type R - is no more. As illogical as it may be, a Japanese-made Civic Type R is immediately more attractive than one made elsewhere. Just as I would be less inclined to buy a BMW that isn't manufactured in Germany. I'm sure the forthcoming BMW M2 is completely fine being hecho en Mexico. But I'm extra glad my own BMW M2 was built in the fatherland.
Back to the new Civic Type R: I desperately want one. With the era of internal-combustion engines seemingly at the end of life, the performance cars of today are likely to be the last of its breed. This is the time to buy what you can and keep it forever. As an enthusiast that grew up on Japanese cars, I've had thoughts about getting back into a proper J-VIN vehicle. The Toyota GR86 has been so resoundingly well-received that the soft goal is to buy one to keep - soon as I finish paying off the M2. It seems the Civic Type R has entered the chat. And it's talking a very loud game.
It'll be a tough decision. Logic would follow the front-wheel-drive Type R, since the M2 is rear-wheel drive. However, the GR86 might be the last pure, affordable real-wheel-drive sports car, and there's something to be said about that. Bottom line is: I am not selling the BMW - the Japanese car will be an addition. I consider my F87-generation M2 Competition to also be the last of its kind. The upcoming M2 is heavier, uglier, and uninteresting.
Photo credit: Honda