Honda Begins Sales of Euro-Built Civic Type R in Japan

Sales of Honda's UK-produced Civic Type R 3-door model have begun in Japan after the first examples of the car were shipped from Southampton. Japan is the third market after Australia and South Africa to receive a hatchback version of the latest generation Civic this year as the three- and five-door body styles of the compact car were originally conceived as Europe-only models.

The arrival of the 201HP Civic Type R hatch in Japan marks the second time since 2001 that the European-built Civic has been sold in Honda's home market.

The automaker plans to sell a total of 2,010 units of the Civic Type R 3-door in Japan. The cars will are available for order in three shades: Milano Red, Alabaster Silver and Championship White/

The Euro-spec Type R is fitted with a high-revving 2.0-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine that cranks out 201 horsepower at 7,800 rpm and 142 lb-ft of torque at 5,600 rpm.