Honda gives Type-R Civic the go-ahead

20 December 2005

Concept version to appear at Geneva Motor Show
Sales likely to start in early 2007
New model promises step forward in driving ability

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It's welcome but hardly unexpected news – Honda has officially confirmed that it will build a hot Type-R version of the new Civic.

There are no images or technical information just yet, but a concept version will definitely appear at the Geneva Motor Show in March. Sales will then start in early 2007.

Nearly 18,000 of the old Type-R were sold in the UK before production ended this September, so Honda would certainly have raised some eyebrows if it hadn't gone ahead with a new version of the hot hatch.

The old car was What Car?'s favourite Hot Hatch in the Car of the Year awards for three straight years. It was eventually dethroned by the Volkswagen Golf GTI in 2005, but remained one of our runners-up.

Although it remained a competitively agile car to the last, the new model will hopefully take a step forward in driving ability, and could see power rise above the 197bhp output of the last car. Judging by the look of the new five-door car, the next Type-R should also turn some heads.