Farewell to the Civic Type R: Honda Bids Goodbye to a Hot Hatch Legend

Honda is saying farewell to one of its most iconic models — the Civic Type R. After nearly three decades on the European market, the legendary hot hatch will no longer be sold in Europe.

The decision comes as stricter EU emission standards and Honda’s shift towards electrification make it increasingly difficult to keep a high-performance gasoline-powered model like the Civic Type R in production. While enthusiasts are saddened by the news, Honda has chosen to honor the legacy of the Type R in a unique way.

Honda Dream Drives: A Map for Enthusiasts

To mark the end of the Civic Type R era, Honda has launched an interactive map highlighting over 120 of the most exciting driving roads across 25 European countries. The Honda Dream Drives guide has been developed with the help of driving experts, Type R owners, and fans across Europe.

From the dramatic North Coast 500 in Scotland to the legendary Stelvio Pass in Italy and Romania’s Transfăgărășan Highway, the routes are carefully selected to capture the true spirit of driving pleasure. Drivers can filter the map by themes such as scenic, mountain, or coastal, and navigate directly through Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, or Google Maps.

“Dream Drives is the perfect way to celebrate the past, present, and future of Honda’s driving spirit — fully in line with the ethos of the Type R,” said Nick Pearson, Head of Corporate Communications at Honda Motor Europe.

The interactive map is available at hondadreamdrives.com, accessible via mobile and desktop.

The 2026 Kia Sportage Hybrid stands at the forefront of design, innovation, and versatility, reaffirming why it remains Kia’s longest-running and best-selling nameplate. With its bold redesign and advanced hybrid powertrain, the Sportage sets a new benchmark in the compact SUV segment.

As the latest evolution of Kia’s fifth-generation Sportage, the 2026 model introduces the most significant upgrades in years. Available in three distinct powertrains — ICE, Turbo Hybrid (HEV), and Turbo Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) — it offers drivers the freedom to choose the perfect balance of power, efficiency, and sustainability.

The Sportage Hybrid, in particular, delivers dynamic performance with its turbocharged hybrid engine, providing both exhilarating acceleration and impressive fuel efficiency. Inside, a tech-forward cabin includes advanced driver-assistance features, segment-leading cargo space, and generous rear-seat legroom — making it the ideal SUV for every stage of life, from solo adventures to family road trips.

Beyond performance and practicality, the 2026 Kia Sportage Hybrid embraces cutting-edge convenience and safety. From enhanced digital displays and intuitive infotainment to premium trims like the rugged X-Line and luxurious X-Pro Prestige, the Sportage continues to set itself apart from competitors.

As Kia’s best-selling model, the Sportage has earned its reputation by adapting to the needs of diverse drivers. The 2026 Hybrid edition not only keeps that legacy alive but elevates it, delivering more power, more innovation, and more reasons to drive the best-selling compact SUV on the market.

TOYOTA GAZOO Racing World Rally Team made history at Rally Chile 2025, scoring its 103rd victory in the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) — the most wins by any manufacturer in the series. The result also marked the team’s 30th 1-2 finish, equalling another WRC record.

Ogier celebrates milestone win

In his 200th WRC start, Sébastien Ogier alongside co-driver Vincent Landais claimed his 66th career win and second in just two weeks on South American soil. Ogier also topped the Super Sunday classification and the Power Stage, earning maximum points and moving into the lead of the drivers’ standings with three rounds remaining.

“I’m very happy to take another win in South America and to also come away with the maximum points this time,” Ogier said. “To take the lead of the championship with three rallies to go is definitely positive. We can be very proud of what we’ve achieved so far.”

Evans close behind

Teammate Elfyn Evans pushed Ogier all the way through the Chilean forests of Biobío, with the two separated by just 6.3 seconds going into the final day. Evans eventually finished runner-up, just 11.0s behind, and now trails Ogier by only two points in the standings.

“It’s mixed feelings for us at the finish because we always want to win,” Evans said. “But the big positive is that we showed strong speed here after struggling two weeks ago in Paraguay. The championship is still close and we’ll keep giving it our best.”

Strong team performance

The rally brought further positives for TGR-WRT:

• Kalle Rovanperä recovered from an early setback to finish sixth and stays just 21 points off the championship lead.

• Sami Pajari impressed with fifth place in his GR YARIS Rally1.

• Takamoto Katsuta secured seventh with improved pace on the final day.

• In WRC2, Oliver Solberg clinched the 2025 championship title with victory in his GR Yaris Rally2.

Deputy Team Principal Juha Kankkunen praised the squad:

“For Toyota to now have more wins than any manufacturer in the WRC is a very special moment. Seb and Elfyn both drove really well this weekend, and the whole team can be proud of this record.”

Final Top 3 – Rally Chile 2025

1. Sébastien Ogier / Vincent Landais (Toyota GR Yaris Rally1) – 2h55m42.1s

2. Elfyn Evans / Scott Martin (Toyota GR Yaris Rally1) +11.0s

3. Adrien Fourmaux / Alexandre Coria (Hyundai i20 N Rally1) +46.5s