Honda Civic Type R transformed into rally raid monster

From circuit weapon to dirt demon


THE Honda Civic Type R is already one of the wildest hot hatchbacks you can buy, and this new one-off version is perhaps the craziest version of the car to date.

Whereas the production car has proven its worth around demanding racing circuits such as the Nürburgring Nordschleife, this “Honda Civic Type oveRland” is more at home on dirt tracks.

Nestled underneath the widened wheel arches are lightweight wheels shod in rally-derived BF Goodrich tyres, and the new suspension components mean the modified Honda has three inches extra ride height over the road car.

Though the changes appear drastic, a lot of the road-going Honda Civic Type R has reportedly made it onto the rallying version untouched. The 315bhp, turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine under the bonnet of the oveRland is identical to the production car’s, and Honda says the Civic’s “extensive suite of safety products” have also been retained on the rally raid model.

Despite sharing so many parts with the customer car, the overLand is likely to remain a one-off, although Ralph Hosier Engineering, the company behind it, has said it will consider building one more example if a “discerning buyer” commissions one.

The oveRland follows another barmy Type R creation commissioned by Honda UK — a one-off pick-up based on a pre-production Civic Type R.

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