Last of its Type
28 September 2005
• Civic Type R is no more
• Three-time Hot Hatch of the Year
• New model likely next year
The final Type-R version of the existing Honda Civic has just rolled off Honda’s Swindon production line, marking the end of one of the decade’s defining hot hatches.
It was the What Car? Hot Hatch of the Year for three years running between 2002 and 2004. Its 197bhp 2.0 VTEC engine was the most powerful put into a production hot hatch when it was launched, delivering 0-62mph in 6.8 seconds and a top speed of 146mph.
The Type-R kick-started the market for the latest 200bhp-busting hot hatches, such as the forthcoming Ford Focus ST, the Vauxhall Astra VXR and VW Golf GTI – our reigning Hot Hatch of the Year.
The Type-R has been a sales hit for Honda, which has sold more than 35,000 around the world – 18,000 to UK customers alone. The car was launched in 2001, and was built at Honda’s Swindon factory.
The last production car will be delivered to a UK customer next week. However, any buyers who fancy bagging one of the last Type-Rs can still find 250 in stock at Honda dealers. As with other outgoing Civic models, the Type-R is currently available with 0% finance and two years’ free servicing. You should be able to haggle a 5% discount with dealers, which equates to a Target Price of £16,102.
Honda insiders claim that a Type-R version of the all-new Civic is very likely, and have hinted at the concept car being unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in March, with a production car likely to follow in autumn 2006.
What Car?
is brought to you by
Haymarket Consumer MediaWhat Car? is part of Haymarket Motoring
© Haymarket Media Group 2013
