Honda’s hot hatch, the Civic Type R, will continue in Australia despite the announcement by Honda that the Type R will be discontinued in some areas of Europe at the end of 2010.

The Civic Type R does not comply with Euro 5 emission regulations due for introduction in Europe, January 2011.

Launched in Australia in 2007, the Civic Type R immediately won acclaim from customers and the media and became an instant image-leader for both the Civic nameplate and the Honda brand. Over 1,840 have been sold.

In 2008, the Civic Type R won Australian International Design Awards for ‘Design of the Year’ and ‘Interior Design of the Year’, in recognition of its sharp styling.

Later that year, the Civic Type R made its Australian motorsport debut in the hands of then British Rally Champion Guy Wilks, at the International Rally of Canberra and later at the Coffs Coast Rally.  The Type R became an instant favorite with the crowds and Wilk’s press-on driving style demonstrated the racing credentials of the car.

In 2010, Honda Australia re-entered the Australian Rally Championship with Evans Motorsport and rising star Eli Evans. After five rounds of the championship, Evans has taken two podiums.

The “Red-H” badged three-door hatchback has a 2.0-litre i-VTEC engine producing a spine-tingling 148kW at a dizzying 7800rpm and is paired to a six-speed close ratio manual transmission, running through to the front wheels via a limited slip differential. Completing the package, 18-inch alloy wheels ride on low profile “licorice strap” 225/40 tyres.

In keeping with the “Raw-fined” motto of the designers, the Civic Type R matches its blistering on-street credentials with a host of luxury and safety features.

The Civic Type R is available in four distinctive colors; Championship White, Milano Red, Alabaster Silver and Crystal Black Pearlescent.

Manufacturer’s list price is $39,990 (flat paint) with metallic paint adding a further $475