Honda Civic Type-R - Oxygen Not Supplied

The Type R was an exceptional car too, with a 0-60mph time of 6.6 seconds and the ever-eager VTEC engine revving to 8,250rpm. Stylistically it wasn't too different from the standard model, with 17 inch alloy wheels and a spoiler adorning the rear the main differences. It was on the road that the little Honda Civic really delighted with the Japanese firm clearly utilising their Formula One programme for the good of their hot hatch. The Civic Type R became the biggest selling performance hatchback in the noughties - with over 35,000 units sold - so it was no surprise at the 2006 British Motor Show when everyone's legs turned to jelly when they clasped eyes on the new one.

The new Civic is all triangles and space-age - a highly risky direction change for a company happily catering for such a diverse range of customers. However Honda have always wanted to shed their image of being an old-persons car maker and the newest Civic is a styling exercise with the sole intention of keeping its young fan base and stealing the middle aged away from their Volkswagen Golfs. The Type R for the record didn't just turn my legs to jelly at the motor show - I needed a crash team and some oxygen.

The production model is only a tad watered down from the final concept in 2006, with the body kit identical. That means that unlike the previous Civic Type R, you don't need to check the badge to know this isn't the base model. I don't know where to start to be honest - seeing one will say everything I need to, as you'll either love it or hate it. It looks as though a spaceship has crashed into the Pyramids and driven off - but for me, it works.

Crucially Honda haven't messed with the engine, so the new Type R retains the 2.0 litre, 197bhp engine from its predecessor. Although this will of course save on Honda's design costs, it's a clear case of 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it'. Honda say they have made this new model more refined, with a suspension that isn't as racy the previous model, yet it's somehow firmer and unfortunately not refined in the slightest. This criticism aside, the new Type R has every reason to feel confident in an already crowded market place most notably featuring the Ford Focus ST, Renault Clio 197 and Volkswagen Golf GTi.

Brand loyalty counts for a lot and when the last model sold 2333% more than anticipated, the fluff brigade are surely going to be reaching for the oxygen and their cash too.

Gareth Jones cannot curb his enthusiasm for Honda particularly the Civic Type-R