One-off turbocharged concept might even attempt a run at the Nürburgring, too

You’re not seeing things. This really is a Honda Civic Type R pickup truck.

It’s called the ‘Project P’, and it’s the work of some presumably very bored fellows from the Product Engineering department at Honda’s factory in Swindon. They took a pre-production Type R, surplus to requirements since the car’s market launch 12 months ago, then removed basically everything aft of the B-pillar. The rear-doors, seats and so-on and of course, half the roof. The rear-wing survives, and we’re promised is in fact “movable to allow direct and unfettered access to the rear of the truck”.

The powertrain, suspension and gearbox are all unchanged from the standard Civic Type R. Which means that under the bonnet is a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine with 316bhp and 295lb ft, in the middle is a six-speed manual transmission (one of the best available in a mainstream production car) and underneath is some clever suspension with Comfort, Sport and +R modes. Honda estimates the Project P will hit 62mph from a standstill in less than six seconds and run-on to 165mph or so.

There are no plans to put the Project P into production – obviously – but we’re told Honda may take it to the ‘Ring and mount an assault on the lap record for the “fastest front wheel drive pickup truck”. Because that’s apparently a thing.

t's at least 250lbs lighter than it's next closest competitor... meaning later braking going into any corner.

Not only is the Civic Si among the best performance values in the country, we named it one of our 10Best Cars for 2018. While it shares that award with the Civic Sport and Type R hatchbacks, the Si is the only one of the three available as either a coupe or a sedan. As with all Civics, the Si versions have practical interiors and competitive cargo storage. Too bad all of these hi-po Hondas are so highly stylized inside and out, a trait that divides us concerning their attractiveness—or lack thereof. Still, the Si enthralls enthusiasts with its ethereal chassis, manual-only transmission, and 205-hp turbo four-cylinder. Its acceleration isn’t as spellbinding as its ride and handling, but the bang for your buck is nearly unbeatable.

Highs: Brilliant ride and handling, practical interior, vehicular excellence for entry-level prices.
Lows: Awkward clutch action, boy-racer styling, requires premium fuel.
Verdict: A nearly unbeatable performance value.

What’s New for 2018?

Other than a starting price that increases from $24,775 to $24,995—that’s a $220 difference for those without a calculator—the Civic Si coupe and sedan enter 2018 without any alterations or enhancements.

What Was New for 2017?

The Si was a new addition to the Civic lineup for 2017, eagerly awaited ever since the last version went out of production in 2015. The underpinnings and engine were largely shared with the regular Civic, but they’re modified specifically for this model.

Trims and Options We’d Choose

The Si makes this easy. It comes either as a coupe or a four-door sedan. There’s a single powertrain available—a 205-hp turbocharged 1.5-liter inline-four mated to a six-speed manual transmission—and one factory option: sticky summer tires. At $200, they are a must-have option. The coupe and sedan versions cost the same, the interior is available only in black, and every exterior color is available at no cost. With scant choices, we have almost no advice when it comes to options, save this: Please don’t choose the radioactive-vomit-colored Energy Green Pearl paint. The Si starts at $24,995. Add the summer rubber and you’re there. Standard features include:

• 7.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Six-speed manual transmission
• Adaptive dampers
• Heated front seats

Honda just set a new front-wheel drive production car lap record at Spa, which it's already done at the Nürburgring and Magny-Cours.

Following the tradition started with the previous-generation (non-U.S.) Civic Type-R, Honda is trying to score as many front-wheel drive lap records as its press release writers can handle.

Frankly, the big fish was the Nürburgring last year, but Honda didn't stop at beating Volkswagen by getting a 7:43.80 lap time out of its 306-horsepower turbocharged hatchback. The ‘Type R Challenge 2018' started out at Magny-Cours in France just last month, only to continue in Belgium at Spa-Francorchamps with a record run of 2 minutes and 53.72 seconds.

The 4.35 mile long Spa circuit features all the good stuff, including very fast straights like the Kemmel, high-speed corners with significant elevation changes like Eau Rouge, and technical low-speed sections. But record-setting Super GT driver and LMP2 champion Bertrand Baguette was aided by the Type R's high-speed stability and virtually no understeer.

Honda is now looking forward to putting more records in the books, at Silverstone, Estoril, and the Hungaroring this summer. For those attempts, Mr. Baguette will be replaced by Jenson Button, WTCR driver Tiago Monteiro, and BTCC legend Matt Neal.

BTCC champ Matt Neal was behind the wheel for the attempt.

Porsche might be claiming headlines at the Nürburgring, but Honda’s Civic Type R hot hatch has quietly been busy racking up its own records, adding to its recent Magny-Cours and Spa-Francorchamps best times with a new record at Silverstone.

With three-time British Touring Car Championship winner Matt Neal behind the wheel, the Type R set a new record for a front-wheel-driven production car at 2:31.320, beating the previous best time, which was held by the last-generation Type R.

Neal’s turn around the 3.66-mile track that will be used by F1 cars this weekend pales against Lewis Hamilton’s qualifying time from 2017, which he managed to get out of the way in 1:26.600 – almost enough time to get round twice while the Honda’s on its way. Of course, the Honda is a much cheaper option, with Civic Type R starting at $34,700 on the road.

Speaking about his lap record, Matt Neal said: "Where I found the real advantage of the Type R was in the high-speed corners – the stability which is a combination of the aero and the new advanced suspension system. Into corners like Copse and Stowe at the end of the Hangar straight, you can carry big entry speed with supreme confidence."

The new benchmark time for the Silverstone circuit is the fourth lap record to be claimed by the new Honda Civic Type R. In April 2017, a production development car became the fastest front-wheel drive production car ever around the Nürburgring, with a lap time of 7:43.800.

Following that, the Type R Challenge 2018 started with WTCR driver, Esteban Guerrieri, setting a new 2:01.510 lap record for a front-wheel-drive production car at the Magny-Cours GP circuit in France, before Bertrand Baguette managed a 2:53.720 time in the same car at Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium.

There are more attempts planned by Honda, including efforts from 2009 F1 champion Jenson Button and former Jordan F1 driver Tiago Monteiro.

Honda is preparing some updated Type Rs

Even though the latest Honda Civic Type R was just launched last year, Honda appears to be readying updates to the hot hatch. Two examples of the hot hatch were spied at the Nurburgring, both sporting some light camouflage up front and in the rear. The red one reveals a new wing, and the white one shows some more subtle bodywork changes.

Most surprising is the red Civic Type R shown above with its new rear wing. One of the defining characteristics of the hyper Honda has been its radical bodywork and controversial park bench rear wing. As such it's surprising to see such a small wing, almost more of a spoiler, fitted instead. We suspect that there may be enough people that want a Type R, but don't want such a flashy wing, that Honda is working on an option.

The white Civic Type R retains the giant wing, but it has some other subtle tweaks. The main change to the front fascia appears in the lower outboard grilles. There is a new piece of plastic in each one that divides up those large grilles. The exact reason for this is unclear, though. They almost look like they could house some lights, but there wouldn't be a need, since the current round fog lights are still present. The newly fenced off grille section also is completely covered up, so it's not a new opening for additional air flow. Besides these new grilles, there don't appear to be any other major changes up front. The main grille looks like it may have a slightly larger lower half where the Type R badge is, but the upper opening may have shrunk.

The rear fascia mirrors the front. There are almost no changes except for the outboard grilles. The big fake openings also gain little plastic dividers. And, like with the front, they don't seem to herald any actual vents. It does appear that the rear bumper blends into the newly sectioned-off areas, though, so this may be a change to reduce the prominence of the fake vents.

Since these revisions are very minor, we wouldn't be surprised to see them implemented on a Civic Type R in the very near future. It could be used on the next model year or the one following that. There's also the possibility this is a special edition Type R variant. In that case, we might see it even sooner. It may also pack more power.