So I had a poke around one of these today, a blue one at the PHSS at Honda UK HQ. No driving, only static.
- Blue exterior with red interior seats and highlights? No. Just no. Really, Honda?!
- Speaking of those seats, they're utterly wonderful. Supportive yet snug, I was as comfy in them as Jo was with her wide hips.
- Engine bay is going to be 'interesting' to work in. Proper tight in there.
- The steering wheel is an absolute abortion. Not even close to round, but not a proper flat bottom shape either. Feels gash in the flesh.
- Gearbox seems VERY easy to hit the reverse gate when moving from 3-5. However, I've been informed that the Honda 'boxes have a magnetic lockout that's only activated when the car is on, so maybe that's not an issue.
- Front end, have you ever met rear end? I don't think you have, seeing as how you're so very different in the flesh as well as on paper.
- Front wing vents go only have two of the four open, and even then it's such a tiny orifice that I'm 99% sure they do two halves of chuff all.
- Underbody is nicely flat, very impressive and good to see on a modern hatchback.
- WTF are those stuck on bits of plastic near the rear lights, just on the flank?! They look ridiculous!
- Brakes are HUGE. That's superb to see, and I've no doubt they're equally as impressive in motion.
- Interior quality was very good. Not quite Audi, but it really was a nice place to be with quality trim and components.
Essentially, it's just as bad in the flash as it is in the photos. Design mess, this one also was a colour-clashing mess, and that steering wheel has got to be sorted out. I still want to drive one out of morbid curiosity, but anyone who spanks over £30K on one of these needs their head examining. Or a free pass to Specsavers.
And even that said, if it drives like something very awesome then I honestly would forgive it any ugliness. Sat next to an FN2 and an EP3 did it no favours though, sorry to say.