2021 Honda Civic Type R Limited Edition: A Friskier Front-driver

With the refresh bestowed upon the wild Honda Civic Type R for 2020 comes a unique variant few Americans will get their hands on. However, unlike European buyers, those 600 lucky customers will at least get a radio and air conditioning.

The Type R Limited Edition takes what’s already a potent, attention-grabbing machine and dials up the track-readiness — but not the power.

Output remains the same 306 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque as before, routed through the front wheels only via a standard six-speed manual. What does change is the model’s curb weight and suspension.

While the 2020 Type R dons a revised suspension better suited for day-to-day comfort, the Limited Edition tightens things down, adding recalibrated dampers to keep the car planted. Steering has also undergone revisions to provide a maximum amount of driver feedback. Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 rubber appears at each corner to boost the vehicle’s adhesion to the road (or track).

You’ll recall that the stock Type R gains a larger grille opening, allowing for better cooling when things get hot and heavy. That feature will no doubt come in handy with this variant. Elsewhere, the standard suite of Honda Sensing safety features found on the regular model make an appearance here, along with three drive modes and Active Sound Control.

As American consumers demand a certain level of creature comforts, the truly lightweighted Limited Edition bound for overseas buyers is a little porkier on this side of the Atlantic, but is nonetheless lighter than its stock stablemate. Honda shaved off 18 pounds of unsprung weight via forged aluminum BBS wheels, while a rear wiper delete and removal of the rear heating ducts, tonneau cover, and some sound deadening took off another 28 pounds.

Drivers can further boost their car’s sporting prowess by eating less. A calorie-conscious regimen of lean meats, vegetables, and daily exercise can alleviate the guilt of owning a radio.

Of course, because the regular Type R is already quite, um, visually expressive, Honda saw fit to go the extra mile and slather the Limited Edition in Phoenix Yellow paint, with black applied to the roof, mirrors, and hood vent. It also added an individually numbered serial plate for good measure. As stated before, only 600 of these things will make it stateside.

Pricing isn’t available; you’ll have to wait until closer to the model’s on-sale date, which obviously comes after that of the 2020 Type R, to learn just how much such a machine costs.

[Image: Honda]