After only three years of production (in its current form), the Japanese market Honda Civic Type R will take its final bow at the end of August. Here in America, we've always lusted after Honda's Type R products (though we've always been very pleased with our own market's Civic Si), but we can't help but feel saddened by the loss of a true performance icon.
What's to love, you ask? For starters, the Civic Type R is fitted with a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, able to produce around 225 horsepower at a screaming 8,000 rpm, and when you consider that the whole package weighs less than 2,800 pounds, it's makes for a relatively quick Civic. Couple that mill to one of the best six-speed manual gearboxes on the planet and you've got a recipe for success. What's more, Civic Type Rs are fitted with 18-inch wheels on Bridgestone Potenza performance tires and four-piston Brembo brakes – the equipment you need for a serious track day pocket rocket.
There's no word if another Civic Type R is in the works, especially with Honda's larger focus on hybrid cars taking up most of the research and development money. Still, we are indeed mourning the loss of this mean machine and are hugging our Civic Sis here in the U.S. for comfort. Hit the jump for Honda's official press release.
Honda says good bye to the Civic Type R
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and the four door FD2 R 
