13 October 2002: Honda is to show a new sports hatch, the Civic Type-S, at the upcoming British International Motor Show.

Unlike the Type-R, the new sporty car has the 5-door Civic body style. It will be visually set apart by custom designed 15” alloy wheels, a Type-R-look mesh grille and headlights, rear hatch spoiler and discrete side rubbing strips. Front fog lights, mudflaps and ‘Type-S’ tailgate logo complete the performance picture.

The Type-S Civic will be specific to the UK market. It will be the first Civic 5-door to feature the 2-litre 160 PS i-VTEC engine, similar to that powering the CR-V but tuned specifically for the Type-S, and exclusively partnered by a 5-speed manual gearbox.

The Type-S combines a 130mph top speed with 0-62 mph acceleration in 8.5 seconds. An EU Combined fuel consumption figure of 37.7 mpg is achievable.

The car will feature climate control air conditioning, black part leather trim which extends to the steering wheel rim, gear lever knob and gaiter, plus white sports dials and chrome highlights on vents, gearshift surround and handbrake button.

In the UK it will be priced at £14,995.