Price/availability: £38,599/On sale spring 2010.
Tested: Honda Civic Type R Mugen
Power/torque: 240bhp/156lb ft
Top speed: more than 140mph
Acceleration: 0-62mph in 7.0sec approx
Fuel economy (Urban): N/A
CO2 emissions: N/A
VED Band: N/A
Alternatives: Ford RS Focus, from £26,995. Honda Civic Type R, from £19,000, Mazda3 MPS, from £21,500, Mitsubishi Evo 2.0T FQ-360 GS, £37,554, Subaru Impreza WRX STI 330S, £30,345