This or that?

So would you like Honda to get the Civic hybrid or the Civic Type-R?

Honda has had a great time with the Civic in India. Apart from the last two months, Honda have been successful in making more than 1,000 customers in India lap up the 132 bhp petrol sedan, month after month.

Now Honda has two dramatically different versions of the Civic in their international lineup "� one is the Civic hybrid, that wears a green halo, and the other is a tribute to the internal combustion engine, the manic Civic Type-R. So if it comes down to the wire, what would you want Honda Siel India to add to its Civic repertoire?

It's quite a hard choice actually, since both the Civic hybrid and Type-R are the kind of cars that appeal to your senses. One rational, the other irrational. The hybrid uses a 1300cc 8-valve i-VTEC petrol motor that is mated to an electric motor; the combination has been dubbed as the Integrated Motor Assist or IMA.

The 90 bhp petrol engine might sound a tad underpowered at first, but in fact is quite up to keeping pace with even highway motoring. It gets more help from the 20 bhp permanent magnet electric motor that is located between the engine and the transmission.

This DC brushless motor acts as a starter, pushing the engine up immediately to idle speed while working as a generator for the integrated system while decelerating. At speeds up to 56 kph, the electric motor helps provide momentum, after which the petrol engine does all the hard work.

Then there's a small bit that provides succour to mother earth "� the idle-stop function that shuts off the petrol engine during idle moments such as at traffic signals. It cuts out once the foot is released off the brake pedal. Honda have also added their efficient continuously variable transmission (CVT) to the package to improve overall efficiency.

On the other hand, the Type-R is what everyone with an ounce of adrenaline would like to drive. The 225 bhp Civic uses a naturally aspirated 2000cc petrol engine that screams all the way up to 8000 rpm.

Honda says it is 30 kilos lighter and 65 bhp more powerful than the standard Civic 1.8 sold in Japan "� now that should be reason enough to start licking your fingers. The Type-R looks more aggressive, with its big rear spoiler, the side-skirts and airdam and the red Type-R stickers on the grille and boot.

It also has its own set of stiffer suspension that makes it a wonderful handler. Even on the inside, the occupants are well aware of its serious intentions, thanks to its driver hugging seats, engine start button and sport steering and pedals.

With a 0-100 kph time that's in the region of six seconds and a top speed that bests 220 kph, the Type-R has always been accepted as a tuner favourite, with every generation getting its own set of go-faster bits.

Now, either of these two cars would cost about the same in India, at double the price of what the regular Civic commands. So what will it be: an extremely fuel efficient sedan that brings your running costs to ridiculously low levels or a hot saloon that stirs your soul? Environment or performance? Let us know at mail@bsmotoring.com.