Farewell to an Icon: Honda Bids Goodbye to the Civic Type-R

Honda has announced the end of sales for its iconic Civic Type R in the European market. To commemorate the legacy of this highly acclaimed sports car, the Japanese brand is launching a special and very limited edition: the 'Ultimate Edition', of which only 40 units will be available across Europe.

The Honda Civic Type R, a name that resonates strongly in the world of high competition and sports performance. Since its debut in Japan with the sixth generation of the Civic in 1997, this model has forged a legendary trajectory across six generations and multiple special editions.

Renowned for its high performance and competitive spirit, the Civic Type R has established itself as a benchmark among front-wheel-drive compacts, shattering lap records at the legendary Nürburgring Nordschleife and on world-renowned circuits such as Suzuka, Silverstone, and Spa-Francorchamps, in addition to securing numerous titles in championships like the WTCC and WTCR.

The 1997 Honda Civic Type R, internally known as EK9, was the model that marked the beginning of the Civic Type R legend. It was not officially imported to Europe or the United States at the time, being primarily a Japanese market car, which made it a cult object for enthusiasts.

It was born with a clear philosophy of high-performance, lightweight, and focused on sporty driving, almost competition-like. It was built on the three-door body of the sixth-generation Civic (EK4) but underwent an exhaustive weight reduction program. Soundproofing material was removed, and a seam-welded body was used to increase torsional rigidity.

It adopted the distinctive seals of the Type R line, such as the red Honda emblem, sports seats, and a specific tuning. It was equipped with the famous B16B VTEC 1.6-litre engine (1,595 cc), a four-cylinder inline DOHC (double overhead camshaft). Despite its size, it developed an impressive power of 185 hp (136 kW) at a very high 8,200 rpm, giving it one of the highest specific power outputs per litre of its time (more than 115 hp/litre).

It incorporated Honda's variable valve timing system, VTEC, which changed the cam profile at high revs to maximise power. It was coupled with a 5-speed close-ratio manual gearbox and featured a helical limited-slip differential (LSD) to improve cornering traction.

It was a very agile and fast car for its displacement and weight. It accelerated from 0 to 100 km/h in about 6.7 seconds, and its top speed was limited to 180 km/h (due to Japanese regulations), although without a limiter, it could exceed 220 km/h.

The Honda Civic Type R will end its commercialisation in Europe in December 2025, marking the end of an era for one of the most acclaimed compact sports cars.

It is equipped with a two-litre, four-cylinder VTEC TURBO engine, delivering a maximum power of 242 kW (329 hp) and a torque of 420 Nm. These figures consolidate it as a benchmark in its segment for its high dynamic capacity.

The model is available in five body colours: Sonic Grey Pearl, Crystal Black Pearl, Rally Red, Championship White, and Racing Blue Pearl. Inside, it maintains its sporty essence with seats upholstered in red suede, complemented by a sports gear lever and stainless steel pedals.

The Retail Price (RRP) of the Honda Civic Type R, without financing options or metallic paint, is set at €58,850.

To commemorate its legacy, Honda Spain has launched a special financing offer that will allow enthusiasts to acquire this iconic model. Fans of the brand's sportiness can access the Civic Type R through a Honda Options plan for €475 per month, subject to the conditions detailed on the official Honda Spain website.

With this farewell, Honda offers a last opportunity for fans to acquire a key piece of motorsport history.