British-built Honda Civic Type-R set for Japan exports

In a move that smacks of the British motor industry selling snow to the Eskimos, the 306bhp super-hatch will be built at the Japanese manufacturer’s Swindon plant before being shipped to the Far East.

The UK market became one of the biggest markets for Honda’s Type-R performance brand after imports began in the 1990s, but early models were Japan-only variants.

Honda Motor Company CEO, Takahiro Hachigo announced that the new Civic Type R, built in Britain, will be destined for customers in Japan earlier today.

And Philip Ross, Senior Vice President for Honda Motor Europe, stated: “We're delighted that the European Civic Type R will be sold to customers in Honda's home country of Japan.

“Customers are really excited about this car and we're developing a significant order bank here in Europe. Exporting the car to Japan will only serve to increase demand further, which is great news.”

The new Civic Type-R is billed as a race car for the road and is the first of the Type-R breed, renowned for their high-revving i-VTEC engines, to feature a turbocharger.

The 167mph superhatch — a rival to the likes of SEAT’s Leon Cupra and the Megane Renaultsport 275 — is available in showrooms now, priced from £29,995.

For further information visit www.Honda.co.uk/typer.