2009 Melbourne Motor Show: FN2 Honda Civic Type R

Sharing the stand with the Odyssey and Honda's Insight hybrid was the updated FN2 Civic Type R, which has received a number of small modifications to boost performance and looks.

The most visible change is the addition of Honda's trademark Championship White to the FN2 Civic Type R range, however the one you're more likely to feel is the new limited slip differential that's been shoved between the front driveshafts.

The LSD improves the Type R's ability to lay down power during cornering, and when tested around Japan's famed Tsukuba test circuit it knocked 1.44 seconds off the non-LSD equipped Type R's laptime.

Power is still derived from a 148kW 2.0 litre four-pot, but the engine's willingness to rev and the gearbox's relatively tight gearing compensates for any shortfall in power. It's the same adrenaline-pumping powertrain as before, just bolted up to a more sophisticated driveline.

Parking sensors have now been added to the rear bumper as standard equipment, while an auxillary/USB port has been grafted to the CTR's interior too. Australian sales begin tomorrow at Honda dealerships across the country, with the rorty three-door hot hatch retailing for $41,990