by Honda Type R in Europe: The End of an Era and a Possible Electric Future
Honda has announced that starting next year, models with the Type R designation will disappear from the European market. The reason is non-compliance with new EU requirements for Driver Monitoring Systems (GSR2). However, the company is already considering future options for this legendary series, and one of the directions could be electrification.
For now, the Type R will remain available in the USA and Japan. Regarding the European market, Honda does not rule out that the next generation could receive a hybrid or fully electric powertrain. According to experts, this could be similar to Hyundai’s approach with their Ioniq 5N.
Will the Type R Keep Its Essence?
Tomoyuki Yamagami, Honda’s project leader, stated:
Type R could be anything in the future, depending on market needs… Type R is not dependent on a turbo engine
. He emphasized that the main thing for this series is dynamic performance, not a specific type of engine.
Toshihiro Akiwa from Honda BEV Development added:
Electric motors are changing the game. There is no high-revving VTEC, turbocharging, or sound effects that fans are accustomed to. Our task is to convey these sensations through new technologies, preserving the spirit of Type R
.
New Platform for Electric Vehicles
Honda is already preparing a new platform for electric vehicles, which will debut in 2026. It is expected to support power up to 480 hp, opening up possibilities for creating powerful sports versions. Although there are no official announcements about a Type R on this platform yet, the company’s engineers clearly do not rule out such an option.
The transition to electric technology poses new challenges for manufacturers, especially when it comes to sports models with a rich history. Honda seems to be trying to find a balance between tradition and innovation to satisfy both new and existing brand fans. The success of this strategy will largely depend on whether engineers can convey the same “drive” that made the Type R unique for decades.
