British-Built Civic Type R, Exported to Japan

Sales of the British-produced 3-door Civic Type R have already begun in Japan, after the first cars were shipped from Southampton last month. Swindon is, in fact, the only Honda production facility in the world that builds the Civic Type R 3-door.

According to the Japanese carmaker, the model be called the Type R EURO, to distinguish it from the Japanese-market 4-door Civic Type R saloon.

Honda also informs the model will be sold in limited numbers, as just 2,010 units (in Milano Red, Alabaster Silver or Championship White) will be available to Honda enthusiasts in Japan.

The Swindon factory that produces the Type R also produces the rest of the Civic 3 and 5-door range as well as the CR-V SUV. This autumn, the factory also started production of the Jazz model to cope with increased demand from European markets.

The decision to sell the European-built Civic in Japan follows on from introductions in Australia and South Africa earlier this year. The 3 and 5-door Civic body styles were originally conceived as Europe only models, but the combination of a 201 PS i-VTEC engine, improved grip and styling has seen a flood of requests from Honda fans across the globe.

The export of the Type R model marks the second time since 2001 that the European-built Civic has been sold in the Japanese home market.