2 days ago
Iconic hot hatchback hints at swift return in bold new form after it was discontinued
THE end is nigh for the Honda Civic Type R - which is set to be discontinued in the UK by the beginning of 2026.
But while this iconic hot hatchback will be sorely missed by petrolheads, its swift return is already being talked up in the form of a performance EV.
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The Civic Type R, adored for its powerful turbocharged engine, track-ready handling and sometimes-polarising design, has reached the end of the road after a mighty 25 years.
It's being taken off the market by Honda across Europe and the UK due to its engine failing to meet new European emissions regulations - particularly the Euro 6e-bis standards which come into effect in January 2026.
But according to Auto Express, Honda has strongly hinted that the future of its sporty number will live on into the electric age.
At the launch of the new Prelude, project lead, Tomoyuki Yamagami, said the Type R 'can be anything in future, depending on what the market demands', adding that the famous nameplate isn't necessarily dependent on its turbo powertrain.
He added that the 'Type R badge is about the ability to enhance dynamic attributes to the max'.
Earlier this year, Toshihiro Akiwa, head of Honda's BEV Development Centre, hinted that the brand is heavily focused on the fun-factor when it comes to their EVs.
He said: 'A battery and motor have different characteristics so we can't come up with something exactly the same as before.
'As an EV, how can we provide the joy of driving?
"We haven't given up of course, but it's not just about power, it's about the sound, vibration, acceleration and the human experience.
'These are the joys of driving.'
NEW AGE
There was a time when the hot hatchback appeared to be dead and buried.
The demise of icons like the Ford Focus ST, Renaultsport Clio and the petrol-powered Abarth 500 all pointed to the beloved sub-genre of performance cars slowly fading into obscurity.
However, manufacturers seem determined to keep the spirit of the hot hatch alive in the electric age with a wave of sporty hatchbacks having been recently introduced.
Hyundai was arguably the first to prove that a proper performance-focused EV hatchback was possible with the Ioniq 5 N, while the newly launched Alpine A290 is already being hailed as a future classic.
Meanwhile, Honda isn't ready to bid farewell to its legendary Type R just yet, with an exclusive 'Ultimate Edition' heading to Europe - though only 40 units will be available.
Currently, the Civic Type R is the sole model in the UK to carry the famous Type R badge.
Over the years, however, other models such as the Integra Type R and Accord Type R have also proudly worn the emblem.
