- Honda Civic Type R hatchback will be phased out of most European markets by year's end.
- The hatchback does not meet the tough new Euro 5 emissions regulations.
- Civic Type R will continue in some markets outside Europe, including Japan.
LONDON — Honda, which earlier this year announced the Civic Type R sedan would be discontinued in August, said Tuesday that its sibling, the Civic Type R hatchback, will also be phased out of most European markets by year's end, a victim of tough new Euro 5 emissions regs.
The hatchback, however, will continue in some markets outside Europe, including Japan, so Honda said the Civic Type R will remain in production for now at its U.K. plant in Swindon.
The current model, which is powered by a 198-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine mated to a six-speed gearbox, dates to the 2006 Geneva Auto Show; the final production version debuted that fall in Paris.
Inside Line says: Enthusiasts will surely ask why Honda's engineers haven't come up with a greener solution. — Paul Lienert, Correspondent
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sgude says:
12:07 PM, 08/11/2010
Since Sochiro Honda passed, the company has passed as well. What was once a company based on engineering, lightness and building into its cars an inherent fun-to-drive spirit, has now become just another appliance company. It will take a while for it to turn back around.
juan_mx says:
08:49 AM, 08/11/2010
The Civic Type R has never been as refined as its european competition (VW GTI, Focus ST, Seat Leon FR, Megane RS, etc.), that, by the way, all have a turbo engine.
I am sure Honda can make a 2.0L engine to meet Euro 5, but being normally aspirated, is no match for the turbo engines that have a lot of torque at low revs. You have to keep the Honda engine above 5000 rpm to make some sense, while a GTI engine at 2000 rpm feels almost like a diesel engine.
Perhaps Honda wants to start from scratch for the next type R.
davicho says:
08:48 AM, 08/11/2010
Honda has killed off what made them the top choice for enthusiasts little by little.
Killed the CR-X in 91'
Killed the Civic Si hatch in 95' and then again in 05'
Killed the double-wishbone suspension on Civics front ends in 01'.
Killed the Prelude in 01'
Killed the Integra in 01'
Killed the NSX in 05'
Killed the RSX in 06'
Killed the S2000 last year
and now...
Killed the Type-R Hatch
So what does Honda have to offer to us the enthusiasts here in the U.S.????
A frog-eyed, fugly, boring Accord
A fat-butt, fugly, boring Crosstour
An adequate Civic
A CR-V...need I say more.
An fugly, box on wheels Element
A Clarity...hmmm OK whatever!
A FIT
A poor excuse for a Hybrid Insight
A fugly Odyssey
A fugly Pilot
and...
A poor excuse for a truck Ridgeline
Sounds like Honda is taking the "Toyota Way" as well.
R.I.P Honda!
kingon says:
08:28 AM, 08/11/2010
I agree with armswing. I know two Korean brands and two Japanesze brands will join to Fast & Furious organizer like policies. if Fast & Furious organizer can trash out to Toyota Prius, Honda Civic non performance, Scion all vehicles, if Fast & Furious organizer can approval to Subaru WRX STI, Nissan 370Z, Nissan GT-R, Hyundai Genesis Coupe and Kia Forte. if Fast & Furious organizer will see to if Toyota and Subaru will development about RWD Coupe will FT-86 will more high performance will good speeder.
armswing says:
07:50 AM, 08/11/2010
I'm afraid Honda is following too closely in Toyota's footsteps by focusing on boring, bland vehicles. Fast and Furious no more.
juan_mx says:
06:09 AM, 08/11/2010
@omairkhanzada
I am not sure about the European version, but the japanese version of the Civic Type R uses a multilink rear suspension.
The European may have a torsion beam (or twist-beam) rear axle, but I doubt it is a solid axle like the one in the new 2011 Jetta.
The new Renault Megane RS has a torsion beam rear axle, yet it handles better than the VW GTI.
dagmar3 says:
06:06 AM, 08/11/2010
Remember when Honda was the (Sam Kinison scream alert) HONDA MOTOR CORPORATION??? When they were all about great design and motors that were so intelligently engineered that the competitors' offerings looked like boat anchors? Their products were zippy, fun and very involving for their owners. Those products made you feel smart for buying them.
What in the name of Soichiro Honda happened to the HONDA MOTOR COMPANY?
omairkhanzada says:
12:38 AM, 08/11/2010
Honda gave up on fun to drive cars a while back... This "Type R" now comes with a solid rear axle as proof to my statement.
Shame on Honda for dropping out of motorsports and killing every fun car in both their Acura and Honda line up. While aiming at green to get more green they're forgetting what their true loyalists want!
shouldermonkey says:
11:40 PM, 08/10/2010
@paul544
enthusiasts will also ask why Honda is lagging behind their once lesser competitors Hyundai, Kia, and Ford in fuel efficiency, performance and overall aesthetic appeal. The CRZ has pathetic numbers for a hybrid and a sports car, the Crosstour is one fugly ride, their entire Acura line is a weak attempt at a luxury brand, and they refuse to give the U.S. market a Type R and are now killing the best looking Type R in years because their 2.0 motor can't even pass Euro standards. Whoever's running the show needs to gtfo.
skidrive9 says:
08:43 PM, 08/10/2010
How green is green? I mean, if a 2 liter honda isn't green enough, what is?