Civic Type R

Make
Honda
Segment
Hatchback

Whatever can be said about the Honda Civic Type R available in the US market, we can't rightly call it subtle. The Japanese hot hatch's massive rear wing, in particular, can't help but call attention with its tall stature and overtly aggressive design. Granted, like it or not, that wing contributes substantial downforce to the car's rear end at speed, helping bolster cornering grip to optimize performance. We can forgive its over-the-top looks.

Alas, if you were hoping for a new flavor of the Honda Civic Type R with a bit less flair for the dramatic, we're sorry to tell you that not only is the Type R Sport Line unveiled last week not bound for sale in the US, but its more down-to-earth spoiler won't even bolt directly onto the US-market Civic R.

As a Honda spokesperson told Motor Trend last week, the new lower-height spoiler of the Honda Civic Type R Sport Line is not a direct bolt-on replacement for the R's original factory wing, mounting to the rear hatch differently. So, even if you do get your hands on a factory Sport Line spoiler in the US somehow, installation won't be as straightforward as unbolting the old one and bolting on the new.

Of course, with enough work, you could probably make just about any part fit the Honda Civic Type R, but after a certain point, it may not be worth the effort; if the aftermarket doesn't yet offer anything like the Sport Line's stealthier rear spoiler, surely it will soon.

Still, it's a bit of a shame that the new Honda Civic Type R Sport Line won't be sold in the US, but we Americans can't really complain. The current Civic R marks the first time in history that Honda's top-performing Civic hot hatch has been sold in the US; we're just happy it's finally here.

Plus, the US does get the lighter, more track-focused new Civic Type R Limited Edition. Who can be upset about that?