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Honda has announced the end for its Civic Type-R hot hatch in the UK, after more than three years on sale.

The cult performance hatchback has sold more than 12,000 in its current guise since going on sale in January 2007.

Buyers loved its hard-edged thrills, but critics cited over-firm suspension and a need to work the engine hard as too much of a compromise over rivals such as the Ford Focus ST and Volkswagen Golf GTI.

Despite these concerns, well-maintained Civic Type-Rs offer reliability without rival and were affordable to buy new.

Although the futuristic three-door hot hatch will still be built in Honda's Swindon factory, it will be exported to countries including South Africa and Australia. Honda says the engine was unable to meet strict European emissions targets.

Honda has cut the price of the final Type-R by £2,230 to £19,495 and is offering a 43-month PCP finance package at 5.9 per cent making it available from £235 a month with a 30 per cent deposit.

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