Kaiser Chiefs' front man Ricky Wilson has picked up his new Civic Type R, as part of his role as ambassador for the hot-hatch.
Fresh from putting the Civic Type R through its paces on the famous hillclimb at the Goodwood Festival of Speed at the end of June, Ricky is now the owner of a Brilliant Sporty Blue model complete with the all-new +R mode button which increases the response of chassis and engine for enhanced driving skills.
The all-new 2.0 litre VTEC TURBO engine puts 310PS through the front wheels at 6,500rpm and 400Nm of torque at 2,500rpm, both higher than any previous Honda Type R model.
Speaking after taking his first spin, Ricky exclaimed; "What an amazing feeling. This is the first time I've ever had a new car and it's also the first time I've had a car that's a boy. My other two cars were girls! I got in the car and instinctively I knew where everything was, I feel at home in it already.. and I'll get home even quicker!"
Ricky was also treated to a tour of the Swindon factory adding; "It was like a movie - I could hear the Terminator theme music in my head as I walked around. The technology and scale of the operation is out of this world."
Since joining Honda as an ambassador for the Civic Type R at the beginning of summer, Ricky has not only raced the famous Goodwood hillclimb but also secured his National B race licence at Knockhill circuit in Scotland, under the expert guidance of Honda Yuasa Racing BTCC star driver, Gordon "Flash" Shedden.
The Honda Civic Type R is on sale now, from £29,995 OTR.