Huh, right ...It was a very close call between the type R and the mazda.
the type R edged it with its futuristic styling, but id still be very happy with the mazda (255BHP? ftw)
from that page: http://www.automobilemag.com/features/0610_gti_civic_mazdaspeed3_dyno/mazdaspeed_3.htmlTurbos, by nature, have reduced operating ranges, but the Mazdaspeed 3 seems to be particularly susceptible to that limitation. It has prodigious torque in the midrange, but the engine feels anemic below 3000 rpm or above 5500. Honda's normally aspirated Si makes at least 85% of its maximum torque from 2000 to its redline. That means that if you floor the Honda's loud pedal anywhere between two and eight grand, you'll have at your disposal at least 85% of the maximum quoted torque. VW's turbo GTI will hand over at least 70% of its peak number at any time from two grand to its own redline. The Mazda is far behind the others at 20%.
CAR magazine has a comparison between the new Civic and ALL the hatches (Mini Cooper, Renault Clio 197, BMW 130i, Volvo C30 T5, Audi S3, VW Golf R32, VW Golf GTI 30, Ford Focus ST, Opel Astra OPC, Seat Leon FR, Mazda 3 MPS).
Verdict? They say that the new civic is the new hot hatch king.
The Honda is a solid choice. Just don't get it yellow, unless you want your car to look like a giant bumble bee.
Is it too late to change my vote? I found a Mk3 GTI VR6 for sale locally. It's very tempting. 8)