by David Finlay (02 Aug 07)

As with the previous-generation Civic, one step forward in the alphabet equals one step backwards in terms of performance. The current Type S, like the old one, is the "junior" version of the screaming Type R (see launch report and video test), but unlike the previous model it now offers a choice of a 2.2-litre turbo diesel in addition to a 1.8-litre petrol.

The diesel is the same i-CDTi unit also found in the Accord, and if you'll excuse me reintroducing a pet hate here I'd like to point out that the dreadful alternator whine which does so much to spoil the diesel Accord's sense of refinement is almost entirely eliminated in the Civic. I can't imagine why that should be, but the sooner it's retro-applied to the Accord the better.

On paper, the performance difference between the 1.8 petrol and 2.2 diesel versions of the Type S are negligible. Both produce a maximum of 138bhp, both have a top speed of 127mph, and there's a difference of just 0.3 seconds (in the diesel's favour) for the 0-62mph sprint.

The diesel is much, much, much stronger than the 1.8 lower down the rev range, of course; its peak of 251lb/ft at 2000rpm means that it develops nearly double the torque at less than half the engine speed. And it has an 11.5mpg advantage in terms of combined fuel economy.

The flipside is that you pay £1300 extra for the diesel, and its Group 10 insurance is one notch higher than that of the 1.8. But the diesel still makes a strong case for itself against not only the 1.8 but also the celebrated Type R.

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