Spanish researchers of km77.com have shared a video report about the performance of the latest Honda Civic Type R at the so-called moose test. The sporty hot hatch proved unexpectedly bad at sudden obstacle evasion, despite solid overall performance.
The example tested had a turbocharged engine driving the front wheels with 329 PS (324 hp / 242 kW) through a manual transmission. It rode on 19-inch wheels shod in Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires.
The test driver originally tried to make a clean run at 75 km/h (46.6 km/h), but the car hit a traffic cone when returning to the lane. Combined with a bad understeer, it led to a failed run. Multiple attempts at higher speeds ended the same way. At the end of the day, the driver just barely managed one clean double switchback at 74 km/h (46 mph), although the speed required to pass the test is 77 km/h (47.8 mph).
Later on, the test crew was able to improve upon that result a little bit, but only because they pre-warmed the tires and deflated them below the manufacturer’s recommended pressure.
The Civic Type R then did a solid slalom test run, and the driver praised it for predictable behavior, overall stability and excellent ESP performance. That said, the test took 23.8 seconds – a bit long for what is being advertised as a sports car.
In conclusion, km77.com said that the hot hatch demanded an experienced driver to handle it well, but admitted that perhaps no other car currently sold in Europe was as emotionally engaging as the Civic Type R.