The Honda Civic Type R is a seriously capable track machine and a lot of fun on the streets. But if you want the ultimate front-wheel-drive monster, the new Type R Limited Edition has started arriving at dealers this week, and what a machine it is. Special lightweight BBS forged wheels are fitted and the body is clad in an exclusive Phoenix Yellow - not the same Phoenix Yellow found on the E46 M3, thankfully. On top of that, this feisty hot hatch can hit 180 mph with ease and will be limited to just 600 units. Highly sought after? You betcha.

However, before you go running off to buy one, you may want to have a chat with your accountant. While the new version of the regular Type R retails for $37,495, this special edition is considerably pricier at $43,995. Still, the personalized plaque designating which of 600 your model is may be enough to warrant the increased price. If not, perhaps the gloss black roof, mirror caps, and hood vent will help. There's also a dark chrome Civic badge on the rear, along with a bunch of standard Honda Sensing safety tech, including adaptive cruise control and lane keep assist.

What really justifies the price, though, is the effort made to reduce weight. Those BBS wheels we mentioned earlier save 18 pounds, with the whole car tipping the scales with 46 pounds less heft over the standard R. Special Michelin Cup 2 tires are also fitted, and the adaptive damping system has been retuned too, along with the steering system. Sure, there's no increase from the regular Type R's 306 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque, but surely the Type R Limited Edition has enough feathers in its cap.

After all, it now owns the front-wheel-drive lap record at Suzuka.