The Honda Civic Type R is bowing out from Europe with a new special edition that commemorates its 28-year production run.
Making its debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, the new Ultimate Edition car is intended to celebrate the legacy of the Civic Type R, having first arrived as a grey import some 28 years ago.
Honda said it’s removing the Type R from its line-up in 2026 because “the industry is changing and our model range is having to evolve with it in accordance with European legislation”.
It’s due to the upcoming introduction of new, stricter emissions standards in the European Union and the UK, with which the Type R does not comply.
It’s painted in the signature Championship White shade, with contrasting red racing stripes calling to the model’s traditional interior colour.
Inside, there’s an abundance of carbonfibre details, such as on the door skidplates and around the centre console.
Pricing has yet to be announced, but it’s likely to cost notably more than the regular Civic Type R (£48,900).
Only 40 will be built in total, with 10 of those bound for the UK. These will be sold on a first come, first serve basis, Honda said.
It’s the latest in a series of hot hatches to have been axed in the UK and Europe: Autocar last week reported the demise of the Focus ST, and that followed the Hyundai i30 N, pulled from sale last year.
Few front-driven, petrol-powered hot hatches remaIn, such as the stalwart Volkswagen Golf GTI, the smaller Volkswagen Polo GTI, the Mini Cooper S and its hotter sibling, the John Cooper Works.