2017 Honda Civic Type R Black Edition

A short on-sale stint of only a couple of years could make the current Honda Civic Type R feel like a bit of a flash in the collective hot hatch pan, but it’s had an enduring impact despite that. As if being the first turbocharged Type R wasn’t headline enough, it also delivers an aggressive, rather uniquely hardcore experience that sets it apart from rivals such as the Ford Focus RS, and even the Volkswagen Golf GTi Clubsport S.

Only 100 of these Black Edition cars will be produced, as a swansong for this wonderfully banzai hot hatch before its successor replaces it later this year. There are no mechanical changes, so don’t get too excited. You do, however, get the hazard-warning red and black exterior styling, and an interior with more black finish than usual, too. And all for the same £32,300 as the standard Civic Type R GT model that it’s based on.

It’s hard to imagine what could be more conspicuous than the big-winged, chin-heavy, unashamedly posturing standard Civic Type R. The Black Edition manages it, though. Those rims, the red-tipped park bench of a wing, the contrasting underline of that front splitter. Short of inventing some kind of hot hatch haka intimidation dance, nothing in this class says ‘get out of my way’ with quite such forcefulness. 

Of course, it drives just like any other Type R. Cue the frantic, white-eyed power delivery, the wonderfully short, tight gearshift, a front end that turns in and grips with face-distorting eagerness, and suspension that's firm but acceptable in standard mode and outright uncomfortable in R+. It’s a single-minded joy.The interior upgrades for the Black Edition do suit the Type R’s rather overt character. Sure, the red trim surround to the vents feels a bit cheap, but the seats are more black-with-a-bit-of-red rather than the vice-versa seat design of the normal Type R, which many (including us) will prefer.

On top of that, you get all the comforts of GT trim, including a rear parking camera, touchscreen sat-nav, dual-zone climate control, auto lights and wipers, cruise control and comfortable but super-supportive sports seats.