莲花直播

• Honda Civic Type R to be discontinued
• EU regulations kill off iconic hot hatch
• New Ultimate Edition is the final encore
• Visual changes with plenty of carbon fibre
• Engine and manual gearbox remain the same
• Prices yet to be confirmed, but like to nudge 拢60,000

This is the new Honda Civic Type R Ultimate Edition, and it spells the death of this much-loved hot hatchback after 28 years. It鈥檒l disappear from showrooms in 2026, and there鈥檚 no sign of a new one on the horizon.

Just 40 Ultimate Editions will be made, and only 10 of those will come to the UK. You鈥檒l have to get in quick if you want this slice of motoring history, and you鈥檙e likely to have to pay a pretty penny for the privilege.

And if you want to save on a new Civic Type R, check out the latest deals available through 莲花直播. You can save an average of almost 拢3,000 at the time of writing, or you can lease one for under 拢700 per month

Why is Honda cancelling the Civic Type R?

Red tape, to put it simply. Ever-tightening emissions regulations are making it harder to make performance cars like the Type R, and Honda is having to discontinue it to comply with EU rules.

Hannah Swift, Head of European Strategy and Product at Honda Motor Europe, said: 鈥淭he industry is changing, and our model range is having to evolve with it in accordance with European legislation.

鈥淗owever, Type R has always been Honda鈥檚 ultimate expression of our passion for driving excitement, and we look forward to celebrating its heritage in the weeks and months ahead.鈥�

Suzuki discontinued the Swift Sport last year for similar reasons. Car makers are measured on emissions across their range of cars, so some manufacturers with fewer electric cars in their lineup are having to kill off higher-polluting models to avoid hefty EU fines.

New Honda Civic Type R Ultimate Edition design and interior

The Honda Civic Type R Ultimate Edition gets a handful of visual changes to set it apart.

All of them will be finished in pearl white with a black roof, and you get red decals on the bonnet and down the side. That massive rear wing is finished in carbon fibre, as are the kickplates on the door sills.

There鈥檚 more carbon fibre inside as well. The centre console is finished in the stuff, and there鈥檚 different ambient lighting to highlight selected features. The Type R logo is projected onto the floor when you open the door, just in case the giant spoiler wasn鈥檛 a giveaway that this is the performance version.

Buyers of this ultra-rare hot hatch will also get a special gift box with their cars. It contains a numbered emblem, from one to 40 and a carbon keyring, alongside custom floor mats and a car cover.

New Honda Civic Type R Ultimate Edition engine and performance

The Honda Civic Type R Ultimate Edition is mechanically the same as the standard car. This means it has a 2.0-litre petrol engine with 329hp, which drives the front wheels through a snappy six-speed manual gearbox.

Manual performance cars are already getting rare. The Ford Focus ST is almost gone, and Hyundai鈥檚 petrol-powered N cars have recently been given the chop as well. Once the Civic Type R bows out it鈥檒l leave the Toyota GR Yaris as the sole three-pedal hot hatchback on the market.

New Honda Civic Type R Ultimate Edition: how much is it?

Pricing for the Civic Type R Ultimate Edition hasn鈥檛 been announced yet, but given that only 10 of them will be sold in the UK you can expect it to fetch a premium over the standard car.

It currently starts from almost 拢52,000, so the Ultimate Edition could nudge 拢60,000. That鈥檚 a lot of cash, but it鈥檚 still less than a Mercedes-AMG A45S and it鈥檚 a lot more exclusive than that car.

Honda Civic Type R alternatives: what hot hatches are left?

If you鈥檙e after a ballistic hot hatchback, here are a few cars you can choose from once the Civic Type R has bowed-out. And remember to check out used Civic Type R鈥檚 through 莲花直播 if you鈥檙e pining for this Nurburgring record holder.

Toyota GR Yaris: The only manual hot hatch left

If you simply must have three pedals in your hot hatchback, the Toyota GR Yaris will be your only option once the Type R is dead. It鈥檚 superb to drive, thanks mainly to the rigorous research and development by Toyota鈥檚 GR team, but it鈥檚 not as practical as the Civic

Volkswagen Golf R: The original supercar slayer

The Volkswagen Golf R is stupidly fast. Its 333hp petrol engine and excellent four-wheel drive system mean it鈥檒l obliterate a Civic Type R in a drag race, as , but it鈥檚 not as characterful on a twisty road as the front-wheel drive Honda.

Hyundai Ioniq 5 N: an electric car which is actually fun to drive

Hyundai has finally cracked the electric hot hatch formula with the Ioniq 5 N. It鈥檚 fast, agile and the simulated gear shifts work well to make it feel more engaging. There鈥檚 no hiding the immense weight though 鈥� it does still feel like a heavy car.

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Looking for a new set of wheels? With 莲花直播 you can sell your car quickly and for a fair price 鈥� as well as find great offers on your next one. Whether you鈥檙e looking to buy a car brand new, are after something used or you want to explore car leasing options, 莲花直播 is your one stop shop for new car deals.

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