Sunday 15th January 2017

Honda Civic Type R Black Edition

Limited edition Type R to bid farewell to turbocharged FK2 Civic

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Does a coat of black paint set off against some red trim details on a Civic Type R really constitute a "a real collector's piece" as Honda claims it might? Sure, just 100 Civic Type R Black Editions have been built at the firm's Swindon plant to conclude production of the current FK2 Type R. They're on their way to Honda dealers at the time of writing to join the 2,500 or so 'regular' FK2s allocated to the British market and will be available to order for £32,300. Those hoping for something a bit special to mark the occasion may be a little disappointed though because the Black Edition is, literally, just that. Well, 'Black Edition with a few red bits' if you're being pedantic.

Based on the GT spec Type R the paint is set off against red-rimmed wheels and wing endplates while the interior gets a similarly contrasting mix of black trim and red accents. It's not especially shy, but then nothing about the turbo Type R has been. Certainly we've enjoyed Honda's long awaited and suitably bombastic return to the hot hatch market, our PH Fleet long-termer seeing off the challenge of the equally hyped Focus RS in its time with us and running the much loved Megane Renaultsport 275 a close second when we took them to Blyton. Having made us wait what felt like an eternity after the FN2 went off sale in 2010 this time around Honda isn't wasting any time, the new Type R already seen in 'prototype' form at the shows and following regular models off the Swindon production line later this year.

Those hoping for a properly mad run-out edition like the FN2 Type R Mugen 200 will be disappointed though. OK, the standard car's mad aero, standard limited-slip diff, adaptive dampers and R mode didn't leave a whole lot of headroom for additional tuning or cosmetic upgrades. But Type R fans are a passionate bunch and our drive in the Dream Automotive FK2 revealed there is still room for additional performance and attitude. A quick dip into the classifieds for FN2 reveals Mugen 200 versions commanding a small premium - a grand or two at the moment - over similar Championship White and standard versions. There will be just half the number of Black Editions compared with the Mugen 200 - enough to live up to Honda's promise of it being a "a true collector's item" though? Let the fanboys rule!

[kayzee]

Still never seen one of these! A real shame because (on paper of course) I'm a fan of the controversial looks.

This edition needs to be a bit more special though still, could be worse, it could be matt black.

[JimmyConwayNW]

Will they change hands for a premium?

[mp3manager]

I have an FK2 and the last thing it needs is all that red trim nonsense especially in the interior. Looks like a 5 year olds colouring-in book.

[MTech535]

It doesn't feel that long since they started selling the Type R and already we have a run out special edition.

[Krikkit]

kayzee said:

Still never seen one of these! A real shame because (on paper of course) I'm a fan of the controversial looks.

This edition needs to be a bit more special though still, could be worse, it could be matt black.

I saw one a few times just after they were released, looked the biz.

Can't believe they're killing off production already, it only feels like 5 minutes since they were finished!

[MyVTECGoesBwaaah]

I guess they are trying to keep demand high with the limited numbers. There will be a new one next year as well won't there, with the new Civic shape?

[krismccloy]

The best colour in these IMO.

And regarding the seemingly short cycle, Honda only ever planned to manufacture 4000 or so of these as far as I'm aware.

[Jonno02]

Awful looking car. I see one near me every so often. The proportions are all wrong on it. I think it's one of my most disliked cars in recent times.

[Mike1990]

Balls to this!

Wheres the Mugen FK2 ?

[Tuvra]

Jonno02 said:

Awful looking car. I see one near me every so often. The proportions are all wrong on it. I think it's one of my most disliked cars in recent times.

I agree, which is a shame.

One of the guys at my rugby club has a white one, being 50+ years of age he looks a bit of a tit driving it too

[sh33n]

JimmyConwayNW said:

Will they change hands for a premium?

No.

[cj2013]

Is there a particular reason why they still aren't employing the best feature of the concept??

[lee_erm]

Was looking at a non black edition Type R in a dealer before Christmas. It had the worst paint finish I've ever seen on a new car, seriously bad orange peel. If it wasn't a brand new one I'd have thought it had been badly resprayed.

[davidcharles]

lee_erm said:

Was looking at a non black edition Type R in a dealer before Christmas. It had the worst paint finish I've ever seen on a new car, seriously bad orange peel. If it wasn't a brand new one I'd have thought it had been badly resprayed.

they had lots of problems with paint on fn2's as well.... obviously the paint team at Swindon need some training

[1781cc]

I've seen quite a few on track days, Donnington in particular has a lot of these ripping around it, well, I say a lot as in 3 at a time... Not a fan personally, but I can say there they certainly do shift some on track!

[SuperchargedVR6]

Jonno02 said:

Awful looking car. I see one near me every so often. The proportions are all wrong on it. I think it's one of my most disliked cars in recent times.

Agreed.

Honda remind me of pebble dashing. There's always one person in every terraced street that just has to be different, but it just doesn't work.

[cayman-black]

2500 uk cars is a low number for a production model.
They are a rare sight on the road.

[MustardCutter]

I have seen quite a few my way. The low production number is most likely due to the fact that the type r came very late in this Civic's lifespan, and it's not going to be long before we see the type r for the 10th generation Civic.

This is a pretty weak special edition as far as special editions go. It makes me think of the A Team van though which gives me conflicting feelings...

Edited by MustardCutter on Tuesday 10th January 16:30

[gifdy]

What is needs is an Enzo engine dropping in. Add a couple of turbos and three or four superchargers and it'll be sorted !

[Martin_Hx]

gifdy said:

What is needs is an Enzo engine dropping in. Add a couple of turbos and three or four superchargers and it'll be sorted !