THE Honda Civic Type R is dead. At least it is as far as Europe is concerned. In an ironic twist, Swindon-made Type Rs will continue to be built and exported to far flung markets like Australia and South Africa, but the hottest Civic can't be sold here - despite the UK being one of its largest markets - because the rev- hungry engine doesn't meet the latest EU exhaust emission regulations. Bah!

Honda flogged more than 12,000 Type Rs to UK buyers in three years, making the crazy Civic one of the most popular hot hatchbacks of all time and its absence leaves a massive hole in the line-up here.

A new Type R won't arrive on these shores until the ninth generation Civic, which is due to makes its debut here sometime next year. And when it does, the barking mad normally-aspirated 2.0-litre powerplant will most likely have been replaced with a smaller capacity turbo unit. It may even be a hybrid. Oh, the horror, the horror.

Until a new Type R appears then, the Civic Si has to hold the line .

The Si's chassis doesn't benefit from the firmer suspension that made the Type R so chuckable on B-roads, at the expense of being tediously uncomfortable in town, but it does have more sound deadening material beneath the bonnet, so it's more of a sporty trim level than a genuine stab at a warm hatch.

But it's a truism that Honda is a car company run by boffins. As a result, every car that leaves the corporate drawing board is thoroughly well-engineered.

Although Euro Civics use the Jazz's simpler rear suspension - only the softer-looking Japanese/North American versions retain the more expensive multi-link set-up - they are still an enjoyable drive. The Si's front end grip, quick-witted steering and beautiful gearchange action reminds you that it wasn't just the manic engine that made the Type R such a great driver's car. The Si also benefits from the same perfectly placed drilled aluminium pedals as its erstwhile big brother.

Externally, the Si wears a butch Type R mesh grille, 17-inch alloys (16-inch if you buy the too-weedy-by-half 1.4-litre version) and modest sill extensions but there's no rear wing.

Sadly, there's still no rear screen wiper, either. Honda reckons the glass is specially treated to make rainwater just run straight off (yeah, right) but it seems like a needlessly stingy piece of corporate bean counting. Early photos of next year's all-new Civic have revealed a car with a very obvious rear wiper so it looks as though Honda has had a subsequent change of heart.

The view through the rear window is bisected, rather like the much-loved CRX coupe, but you'll quickly get used to it and the back door handles are cunningly hidden in the C-pillars. Mind you, the plastic "chrome" aircraft-style petrol cap is absolutely gruesome.

I like the unusual split level instruments, which are dominated by a big rev counter and an LCD speedo, and the leather wrapped steering wheel feels good in the hand. The design shows its age in some respects. For instance, although there's a starter button, you still need the key in the ignition before it will work complicating a simple job.

You'll look in vain for soft feel sluch moulded plastics but the cabin is very well screwed together. The Civic has always been roomy for its class and the generous boot is as big as a C-sector MPV at 485 litres with the seat backs in place. In fact, it's actually larger than the Ford C-Max, the Vauxhall Zafira and the Seat Altea.

The Si experience begins with the 1.4 VTEC which costs a shade over £15,000, but if you want some go to back up the show then the 1.8 VTEC is worth an extra grand. A 2.2 i-CTDi is also available and the extra torque makes the diesel version the most flexible of all.

Although it's no Type R, the 1.8-litre four pot powerplant produces enough power to give the Civic warm(ish) hatch performance. The bare statistics look fine (it despatches the 0-62mph sprint in 9.2 seconds and the engine's all done at 127 mph), and it is moderately swift when you're underway, but the Si never feels fast.

Fuel economy is good (we recorded 41mpg in a week of mixed running) but it's a shame the exhaust emissions can't creep below the 150 g/km limit which means the difference between a £130 road tax bill and one for £165.

When the Civic first came out critics said its radical looks would soon look dated, but the bold edgy lines and interesting surfaces have aged gracefully.The Civic still turns heads. Although it looks like a coupe, the body clothes a surprisingly roomy and versatile hatchback.

OK, so it may not offer Type R thrills but, in Si guise, the Civic remains a solid choice; one that, when you're in the mood, can still be a very satisfying drive.

SPEC CHECK: Engine: 1.8-litre i-VTEC petrol.

Max power: 140PS@6,000 rpm.

Max torque:174Nm@4,300 rpm.

Max speed: 127 mph.

0-62mph: 9.2 seconds.

Fuel consumption: 41.2 mpg on test.

CO2 exhaust emissions: 155 g/km.

Road tax: £165.

Equipment: Electric windows front and back, 17-inch alloy wheels, mesh grille, body kit, "chrome" fuel filler cap, twin chrome exhaust, front foglights, chrome door handles, central locking, keyless entry, starter button, integrated audio, adaptable boot storage, power steering with tilt adj wheel, remote controls for audio and cruise control.

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