New car news

10 August 2009 - 11:00

Civic Type R hits Japan

Warning: A shameless plug for a corker TG clip coming up.

Honda has chosen to import the UK-built Civic Type R hatchback to Japan. See, Japanese fans of high-revving loonmobiles can already buy the home-built Civic Type R sedan, but it seems there's some demand for the three-door hatchback variant - and the UK's Swindon factory is the only place it is built.

The Civic Type R hatch is already exported to South Africa and here (as part of a gap year programme, in exchange for which we send over several thousand improbably tanned bar staff) but it's something of a coup for the Japanese to admit they want their hot hatch back.  

Now... Watch Clarkson thrash the Type R: