The driving force behind the Type-S' extreme performance (other than me!) was the standard six-speed, close-ratio manual
 |
| The standard six-speed, close-ratio manual transmission is fluid and fast. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, Canadian Auto Press) |
transmission. With the short throws, stiffened since last year, gear selection is fluid and fast. My tiny hand seamlessly engulfed the sporty, organically-designed shift knob while throwing gears up and down. In addition, the ease with which the clutch went in and out was exceptional. Not too stiff and not too loose make for superior operation. Keeping the Type-S stable and glued to the road are front toe control-link independent struts with coil springs, and rear reactive-link double-wishbones with coil springs. Gas-pressurized shock absorbers keep things steady at all four corners.
In addition, the new Type-S rides 7 mm (0.3 inches) lower than last year's version, improving its aerodynamics and
 |
| The new Type-S rides 7 mm (0.3 inches) lower than last year's version. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, Canadian Auto Press) |
ground-hugging sports car appearance. The stiff suspension yields uncompromised handling in tight turns and exceptional stability at highway speeds (and then some), without the bullying characteristics of other sport-tuned set-ups.On the one clear day during my test week, when the roads were half dry, I took my Type- S for a drive in an area with sinuous streets and hairpin turns, where I could test its cornering ability. The front-wheel drive RSX hung on in turns wonderfully.
