It was a difficult decision parting with the Accord Type R, I'd owned it for 4 years and I'd driven many of the latest cars to come out but none had matched the performance and handling of the ATR. I remember seeing the publicity pictures of the JDM Civic Type-R that came out a couple of years back and loving them, as soon as I heard Litchfields were getting one I just had to take a look. After I took a test drive, I new this was a worthy ATR replacement.

I've had my Civic since mid-November, since then I have covered the 1000 mile recommended run in period and am now driving the car properly. Keeping the car below 4000 rpm whilst running it in was never a problem - the new revised K20 engine has much more torque low down compared to other Type-R's so it is very easy to make good progress at low revs - overtaking, daily driving and covering long distances were never an issue. The thing that has surprised me the most is that now it is run in is how little I am using VTEC. The engine has that much power around the 5000 rpm point that swift progress can be made without using VTEC. However hit the magic VTEC point and the car seems a lot more frantic than my previous Accord Type-R ever did. The pace is astonishing, I've hit 8400-8500 rpm a few times at which point both shift indicators light up, but the car feels it still has plenty more to give and I'm sure it will if pushed.

The handling of the car is also fantastic; it feels very sure footed and planted and gives you confidence to push it. The suspension is firm but it just adds to the performance and feel of the car, and it is actually very easy to live with for day-to-day driving.

Styling is always subjective but I love the look of the car. There are so many little details to take in. I love the look of the front spoiler that resembles a splitter when seen from the side, and the shallow banked windscreen that gives it a superb side profile and aerodynamic qualities. Inside the car is nice and uncluttered and the digital instrument cluster just gives you the basics but without being fussy, the fast short throw gearbox makes for sublime gear changes and the car has a great seating position. Despite being a 4 door saloon it doesn't feel like a large car to drive, the opposite in fact. Everything is so tight, balanced and focused you'd be forgiven you were thinking you were driving something the size of an Integra.

I don't have a family and don't need a 4 door car, I originally bought my Accord Type-R because I was so impressed with the handling and performance, and this just moves the game on even further...

Mod List - No current plans although I'm keeping my options open.