Honda Civic Type R Not Coming to India, Company Dismisses Reports Amid Global Phase-Out

Despite growing interest among performance car enthusiasts, the Honda Civic Type R will not be launched in India, Honda Cars India has confirmed indirectly. While the company chose not to officially comment on speculative reports, it has strongly denied claims of the performance sedan being India-bound, adding credibility to the news of its global phase-out.

One of the key reasons for the Civic Type R’s absence from India is its declining availability in major global markets. The car has already been discontinued in Europe and the UK due to tightening European emissions and regulatory norms. These markets were among the most active for performance hatchbacks, and their exit signals a broader shift in Honda’s strategy.

To mark the end of an era, Honda will introduce a limited-run Ultimate Edition of the Civic Type R—just 40 units—as a farewell to the R lineup. The complete discontinuation of the Civic Type R family is expected by 2026. 

Globally, the current-gen Honda Civic Type R has earned a strong reputation in the performance car segment. It holds the Nürburgring lap record for the fastest front-wheel-drive production car. Powering this model is a 2.0-litre turbocharged in-line 4-cylinder VTEC engine, which produces 325 bhp @6,500 rpm and 420 Nm of torque between 2,500-4,000 rpm. 

Performance is channelled to the front wheels via a 6-speed manual gearbox, allowing the car to sprint from 0-100 kmph in just 5.4 seconds, with a top speed of 275 kmph. For purists, the manual-only setup and sharp driving dynamics have made it a standout offering among modern hot hatches. 

Should Honda ever reconsider its India strategy, the Civic Type R would be directly pitted against the recently launched Volkswagen Golf GTI, priced at ₹53 lakh (ex-showroom). Though unconfirmed, the Civic Type R would likely fall in a similar price bracket if brought as a fully imported unit (CBU).