The Honda Civic Type R is dying in Europe. But rather than mourn the badge’s demise, Honda is seemingly already looking ahead to the future, and that could very well involve electrification.

Whether the injection of electricity comes in the form of a hybrid or a full-blown EV, similar to Hyundai’s Ioniq 5N, remains to be seen. Currently, the Civic Type R is leaving European shores due to its non-conformance with the new EU mandate of the GSR2 legislation, which requires the installation of driver monitoring technology.

An Electric Future May Be On The Cards

While the FL5-generation Type R is winding down in Europe, it will continue to be available in the US and Japan for the foreseeable future. If it were to return, likely in a new generation, could it become an EV?

Read: Honda Kills Its Hottest Car In Europe But It’s Not Going Quietly

Well, while speaking to AutoExpress at the recent launch of Honda’s new Prelude, project leader Tomoyuki Yamagami hinted that the future of Type R isn’t bound to its ICE heritage. In his words, “Type R can be anything in the future, depending on what the market demands…Type R is not dependent on a turbo powertrain,” emphasizing that the essence of the badge lies in maximizing dynamic performance, not strictly in the specifics of its powertrain.

That view certainly aligns with what Honda’s BEV Center revealed at CES earlier this year. There, Toshihiro Akiwa, head of Honda’s BEV Development, elaborated on what a possible electric Type R may hold in store.

Electric motors change the equation. There’s no high-revving VTEC, no turbo spool, and none of the usual auditory cues enthusiasts associate with performance. Akiwa says the challenge is how to translate these characteristics into a thrilling driving experience that remains true to the Type R spirit: “It’s not just about power, it’s about the sound, vibration, acceleration, and human experience. These are the joys of driving.”

Next-Gen Platform Is Already in Motion

Honda’s push into electrification kicks off in earnest with two new EVs, the 0 Series saloon and midsize SUV, set for production in 2026. These will be the first of seven new models built on Honda’s next-gen electric platform.

While Type R variants of these models haven’t been officially confirmed, the platform is expected to support power outputs of up to 480 hp, leaving plenty of headroom for a future electric hot hatch to make its mark.