2021 Honda Civic Type R Limited Edition Getting Closer to Launch

In February, Honda announced a special version of its Civic Type R performance hatchback: more track-focused, lighter … and yellower. Much yellower. Honda will sell just 600 units of the Civic Type R Limited Edition in the U.S., available only in Phoenix Yellow paint.

Related: 2020 Honda Civic Type R Review: Same Lovable Type R With One Caveat

Add Lightness

The Limited Edition uses lighter BBS wheels to shed 18 pounds and drops an additional 28 pounds by eliminating some sound-deadening material, as well as items like the rear wiper blade, rear heater ducts and cargo-area tonneau cover. Despite the weight reductions, the Limited Edition still comes with standard Honda Sensing safety technologies.

Tuned Up

Additional enhancements to the Limited Edition include retuned shock absorbers compared to the regular Type R and recalibration steering for what Honda calls “maximum control and feedback.” The Type R was already a joy to drive, with Cars.com reviewer Joe Bruzek declaring that “below $40,000, you’ll have a hard time finding anything more track-ready and fun.” Combined with the weight reductions, it seems Honda is intent on living up to its promise of the Limited Edition being the Type R’s “ultimate street-legal, track-focused variant.”

What Does This Video Mean?

We’re not sure, and Honda isn’t telling us yet. Posted today, the video looks like some sort of lap time challenge for the Type R Limited Edition at the Suzuka Circuit in Japan, which Honda built and owns. Is the Limited Edition going to attempt to set a lap record at Suzuka? Has it already set one? Performance cars usually use lap times at Germany’s Nurburgring for bragging rights, but given the current state of the world, perhaps Honda decided to stay more local.

Price and Release Date

Pricing and ordering information isn’t yet available for the 2021 Civic Type R Limited Edition, though with only 600 making their way to the U.S., it’s probably worth talking to a Honda dealer sooner rather than later — all 100 allocated to the Canadian market sold out in a reported four minutes.

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