Honda Civic Type R Dream Drives - The Last Drive
Quelle: AUTOMOTOTV (Glomex)
For more than 30 years, Honda’s Type R models have represented the brand’s high-performance pinnacle. First introduced on the Japanese market NSX mid-engined supercar in 1992, the Type R badge has been reserved for Honda’s fastest and most driver focused models. Engineered using the lessons learned from the brand’s extensive motorsport success, these machines have always showcased Honda’s innovative engineering and dedication to driving pleasure. In Europe, the Type R story started in 1997 with the arrival of the DC2 Integra, a compact coupe that immediately won acclaim from both customers and critics for its thrilling performance and engaging handling. This was soon joined by the larger and more practical Accord Type R, which was the first red badge model to be developed exclusively for Europe. Both these cars attracted a loyal following among fans, their blend of high-revving naturally aspirated engine, precise manual gearbox and track-honed suspension helping cement Honda’s reputation for delivering driving joy and engineering excellence. However, it is the Civic Type R that has turned the famous red badge into a global high-performance icon. The first version of this ‘hot hatch’ appeared in Japan in 1997 and featured a highly tuned 1.8-litre four-cylinder engine that revved to 8,200rpm and delivered 185hp (182bhp). European buyers had to wait until 2001 and the all-new second generation version, but its impact was instant, with thousands of customers and rave reviews from the motoring press. Since then, every generation of Civic Type R has gone on to become a class benchmark, setting new standards for what is possible for an affordable and practical performance car. As a result, more than 70,000 units will have been sold across the region by the time this famous and much-loved model finally bows out of Europe in 2026.