Honda recently launched the new Civic Type R in the Philippines, rousing local high-performance car enthusiasts.
Per the local arm of the Japanese manufacturer, the new Honda Civic Type R packs a 2.0-liter 16-valve DOHC VTEC engine mated to a six-speed manual transmission with a Rev Match Control System. It reportedly makes 315 horsepower (hp) with 420Nm of torque.
And while the updated Honda Civic Type R does make a compelling argument (being it the most powerful and may we say the most handsome model to date), not all car guys would want to get a souped-up sedan with a red Honda badge.
That said, we’re looking into some of the available alternatives to the Honda Civic Type R.
Mitsu boys mourned the day the carmaker pulled the plug on the Lancer Evolution. The lancer Evo made a name for itself by winning various rally races and conquering race tracks while going toe-to-toe against other iconic cars like the Subaru Impreza.
The car was so cool that Jackie Chan, the “Stunt Master” himself, used the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution III in his movie Thunderbolt.
Mitsubishi released the Lancer Evo X — the last generation of the high-performance sedan — sometime in 2008. Sadly, Mitsubishi’s swan song for the famed nameplate deviated from the OG car that was born out of mud, sweat, and gears. Fans called the design very European and Mitsubishi dropped the legendary 4G63 engine that powered all the Evos before it.
The Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X was equipped with the new 4B11 powerplant which made 295hp. Locally available models either had a five-speed manual gearbox or a six-speed twin-clutch automatic transmission.
It would be interesting to see what would have become of the Lancer Evo, granted today’s advancement in automotive technology.
The Toyota GR 86 is another nameplate rooted in rich racing heritage.
Inspired by the hacki-roku, the locally available Toyota GR 86 sports a 2.4-liter engine mated to either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic. This setup makes 233 horses with 250Nm of torque.
Outside, the Toyota GR 86’s design reflects its sporty, track-ready nature. Noticeable is its large grille flanked by LED headlamps and daytime running lamps (DRL) with a line guide. Its side profile is highlighted with smooth and sexy lines, complemented by 17 or 18-inch alloy wheels. The rear boasts a duck-tail integrated spoiler, a pair of LED combination lamps, and dual exhaust pipes.
The interior of the Toyota GR 86 comes with leather and suede seats, a leather steering wheel, a leather parking brake, and a leather shift knob. It also gets a seven-inch instrument cluster and an eight-inch infotainment display.
The Toyota GR 86 is currently offered in two variants: the GR 86 2.4 M/T and the GR 86 2.4 A/T. They are priced at P2.348 million and P3.519 million, respectively.
Nicknamed “Godzilla” the Nissan GT-R holds the fort for the Japanese carmaker in the high-performance car segment.
Thanks to pop culture, the Nissan GT-R became a staple in many car shows and automotive expos. However, the Nissan GT-R’s resume goes beyond being Brian O’Conner’s ride of choice. It has won various GT3 races and Grand Prix making it a nameplate as decorated as its rivals.
Today, the locally-available Nissan GT-R is equipped with a large 3.8-liter powerplant mated to a six-speed dual-clutch transmission with paddle shifters and rev-matching. The Premium version puts out 562hp while the Nismo model makes as much as 600 horses. Torque ranges from 633 to 652Nm.
Outside, the Nissan GT-R wears a gaping grille matched with super-wide beam multi-projector LED headlamps. It also gets LED DRL. To its side are 9.5 (front) and 10.5-inch (rear) Rays forged-alloy wheels. At the back are a large rear spoiler, a pair of GT-R signature LED taillamps, LED rear fog lamps, and a quad-tip titanium exhaust with burnt tip and sound control.
Its cockpit boast sports seats swathed with hand-stitched semi-aniline leather. Likewise, the steering wheel and the shift knob are wrapped in high-quality leather hide. Taking center stage is an eight-inch infotainment system paired with an instrument cluster that combines digital and analog gauges.
The Nissan GT-R is offered in two variants: Premium and Nismo. Pricing is available only upon request.
America’s iconic pony car, the Ford Mustang makes for a great option for those looking for a high-performance car that’s not made in Japan.
Powering the current-gen Stang can either be a 2.3-liter engine or an even beefier 5.0-liter mill. These are mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission. The former makes 309hp while the former makes 459 horses.
The exterior of the Ford Mustang is highlighted by the long hood with an aggressive grille. It is bordered by LED headlamps with signature lighting and LED taillamps with sequential tri-bar turn signals. It rides on 19-inch aluminum wheels.
Ford lined the cabin of the Mustang with seats, steering wheel, and shift knob all wrapped in leather. They are accompanied by a 12-inch instrument cluster and a vibrant eight-inch infotainment system.
Offered in 2.3-liter Ecoboost Premium, GT Premium, and GT Premium Convertible variants, the locally-available Ford Mustang will set customers back from P2.948 million to P3.718 million.
Photos from Toyota, Nissan, Ford, and Honda
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