Honda’s hot hatch, the Civic Type R, will continue in Australia despite the announcement by the Japanese prestige car maker that it will be discontinued in some areas of Europe at the end of the year.
By Barry Green.
The Civic Type R does not comply with Euro 5 emission regulations due for introduction in Europe, January 2011.
More than1840 have been sold in Australia.
In 2008, the Civic Type R won Australian International Design Awards for Design of the Year and Interior Design of the Year, in recognition of its sharp styling.
Later that year, the Civic Type R made its Australian motorsport debut in the hands of then British Rally Champion Guy Wilks, at the International Rally of Canberra and later at the Coffs Coast Rally.
In 2010, Honda Australia re-entered the Australian Rally Championship with Evans Motorsport and rising star Eli Evans. After five rounds of the championship, Evans has scored two podiums.
The three-door performance hatchback has a 2.0-litre i-VTEC engine producing 48kW at 7800 rpm paired with a six-speed close ratio manual transmission. Drive is to the front wheels via a limited slip differential.
Manufacturer’s list price is $39,990 (flat paint) with metallic paint adding a further $475.
