The inspiration to drive the Acura not only rubbed off on me, but on my friend Rob, too. Impressed with its articulately-designed

The Type-S drives like an economy car or a sports car, depending on the circumstances. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, Canadian Auto Press)

cabin, smooth handling, and high-revving engine, he decided to take a Type-S out for a drive from a local dealership to feel what it was like to be behind the wheel. He and I concur that it's sensational. With its high revving i-VTEC engine, the Type-S drives like an economy car or a sports car, depending on the circumstances. Maximum power and torque achieved through the 2.0L, 16-valve, 4-cylinder, DOHC engine are 210 hp at 7,800 rpm and 143 lb-ft at 7,000 rpm (an increase of 10 horsepower and 1 pound-foot of torque from the 2004 model).

When driving in dreaded stop-and-go traffic, an additional tap of the throttle doesn't send the car flying like it would

The 2.0L, 16-valve, 4-cylinder, DOHC engine produces 210-hp and 143 lb-ft of torque. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, Canadian Auto Press)

a VW 1.8T, for instance, being that the naturally aspirated engine came to life at 5,500 rpm or higher. It redlines at 8,300 rpm, and accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.5 seconds, shaving off 0.2 seconds from last year's version. The extra jolt of VTEC-tuned power at higher rpms is smooth and stable, propelling only the speedometer needle and not the driver. The phrase I came to use while accelerating and feeling the wrath of all 210 horses was, "Type-S, Heck Yes!" They made me giggle like a little school girl.