Car manufacturers are forever looking for a fresh niche to capitalise on. The SUV and crossover was once a niche, now they have taken over the world. Honda’s excellent Civic Type R hot hatchback is a proven performance machine, but have you ever wondered what it would look like as a pickup truck?
The FK8-generation Honda Civic Type R actually has one of the largest boots in its class, but if you are hankering for ever more workaday practicality, maybe you should check out this Type R pickup. Far from a home-brewed project, this vehicle was actually sanctioned by Honda UK as a promotional tool for its power equipment and an amuse bouche for motoring journalists.
It started life as a preproduction Type R, but a new use had to be found for the car as it couldn’t be sold. Dubbed Project P, the hot hatch was transformed by Synchro Motorsport – Honda UK’s voluntary race team. This out of hours build required some serious work.
From the B-pillar forwards it’s the same Type R we know and love, however, the rear is almost unrecognisable. The roof has been removed to create a load bed, and a bulkhead fitted in order to isolate the driver. A hardy reinforced lining to the load bed allows lawnmowers and chainsaws to be thrown in the back. This Type R retains its signature rear wing, but some clever engineering had to be employed to allow the tailgate to open unimpeded. Add a roll bar and additional lighting for the ultimate Type R utilitarian look.
The pickup didn’t sacrifice performance for practicality. Its 316bhp 2.0-litre turbocharged VTEC engine would still whisk it to a top speed of 165mph. A 0-62mph figure was never published, but with less weight onboard, it might even surpass the official sprint of 5.7 seconds. Those close to the project also talked of taking it to the Nurburgring to set a time as the fastest front-wheel drive pickup truck. Sadly, that never happened.
At the time Alyn James, project lead, said: “We have a special projects division at the factory in Swindon and this project was a fantastic opportunity for the team to show just what their creative minds could do. The passion that our engineers have for Honda is shown in our latest creation.”
This pickup truck concept was never intended to go into production and served more as a fun novelty – all be it a fully functioning one. Today this Type R’s whereabouts are unknown as it hasn’t been seen since it made its debut in 2018. We hope that it’s living in some secret basement somewhere.
The following year Honda UK also transformed a Type R into a rally raid machine with the help of Ralph Hosier Engineering. It’s quite the monster truck. What crazy adaptation will be signed-off next? A Type R hovercraft? How about a Type R estate?
It’s a pretty cool thing to behold, the Type R pickup, don’t you think? Who knows, maybe the super niche of hot hatch pickups might have a future one day? Never say never, remember the super SUV is now a thing.
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Keyword: The Honda Civic Type R pickup truck you never knew existed