Civic Type R production ends

By Tom Phillips

10th August 2010

It’s the end of an era. Production of the current generation of Honda’s fire-breathing Civic Type R hot hatch is due to finish in October. The car’s high-revving 2.0-litre VTEC engine is to blame, as it does not meet forthcoming Euro V emissions regulations.

Instead of reengineering the unit the meet the stricter standards, which come into force for all new cars in January 2011, the UK market Type R will be axed and replaced by a new model when the all-new Civic arrives in late 2011.

Over 12,000 Civic Type Rs have been sold in the UK since January 2007, and although the last UK cars will be sold by December, Honda’s Swindon plant will continue to build the car for the Australian and South African markets.

To celebrate the fastest Civic’s time in existence, Honda is putting on a special Type R event which coincides with the Silverstone round of the British Touring Car Championship. The race takes place on 22nd August, an Honda will provide a special Type R only car park, hospitality and the chance to do a Lap of Honour of the Northamptonshire track during the day.

And if you’ve always hankered after one of Honda’s Red H-badged hatches, there’s never been a better time to snap up a bargain. The Silverstone event also coincides Honda slicing £2,230 off the list price of the Type R, which will now start at £19,495.

The offer covers the Type R GT, Type R LSD and Type R MUGEN 200 models, and runs from now until 29 September.