Honda Project P is a one-off Civic Type R pickup

The Honda Civic Type R is the fastest front wheel drive model at the Magny Cours track, while also being one of the fastest pickup trucks in the world. Yes, you read that right. The specialist from the Product Engineering department at the automaker’s UK factory in Swindon has built a one-off Civic Type R pickup truck, and it just made its debut at the SMMT Test Day in Great Britain.

To create the unique Project P Concept, the engineers had to get a pre-production prototype of the hot hatch, which was unveiled a year ago. It has two doors and two seats, as well as a flatbed at the back of the rear seats, replacing the rear bench and boot space.

The transformation made sure that it still retains the rear fixed wing. But the wings here really aren’t fixed, as it has a movable design, allowing access to the load bed of the small pickup. One of our favourite design details of the new Type R, a set of triple exhaust pipes at the back, is here as well. The exterior body is finished in a Rallye Red, one of the signature colours of the Civic Type R hatch.

In the Swindon factory, they have a special projects division. This project was a fantastic opportunity for the team to show what they are capable of creating. Project lead, Alyn James, commented that the passion that their engineers have for Honda is shown in their latest creation. They’re considering to take the pickup to Nurburgring, as they want to try and get the record for the fastest front wheel drive pickup truck.

The team should not be worrying about setting a new record at the ‘Ring, considering the fact that the Project P uses the same powertrain, suspension, and gearbox as the original Type R model. The specialists estimate that the truck will be able to hit 62 miles per hour from 0 in under six seconds, and a top speed in excess of 165 miles per hour (265 kilometers per hour).

Honda UK showcased the Civic Type R Pickup Truck concept a year after the launch of the standard road car. However, we would say that they definitely stole the show at the annual SMMT Test Day. Unsurprisingly, the automaker has no plans to put the model into mass production.

To summarize the details for you, the Civic Type R Pickup Truck concept was created by the team behind Syncho Motorsport at the Swindon factory. This has the potential to be one of the fastest pickup trucks on the streets of UK. Lastly, Honda has no plans of putting the concept into production just yet.

PRESS RELEASE

Honda Civic Type R pickup truck

Honda UK has stolen the show at the annual SMMT Test Day this year by showcasing a Civic Type R Pickup Truck concept, almost a year after the launch of the standard road car.

Built by a specialist team from the Product Engineering department at the Honda of the UK Manufacturing (HUM) factory in Swindon and codenamed ‘Project P’, the Civic Type R Pickup Truck has been modified and developed from the standard road car to create potentially one of the fastest pickup trucks on UK roads.

To create the Project P concept, the team used a pre-production version and adapted the design rearwards from the B-pillars of the car, with sweeping lines from the roofline to the back hiding a flatbed loading area in the centre of the car where the rear seats and boot space would normally be.

Finished in Rallye Red, the concept retains the iconic rear wing associated with both the FK2 and FK8 Civic Type R, which, in a clever piece of engineering, is movable to allow direct and unfettered access to the rear of the truck.

Using the same powertrain, suspension and gearbox as the standard road car, it is estimated Project P will complete the 0-62mph sprint in under six seconds and reach a top speed of over 165mph. It also possesses the same driving modes of comfort, Sport and +R, Project P offering both ride comfort as well as a unique racing capability on track.

Alyn James, project lead, commented: “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 and we are even considering taking it to the Nurburgring to see if we can take the record for the fastest front wheel drive pickup truck!”

Phil Webb, head of car at Honda UK, added: “This Civic Type R Pickup Truck concept by the special team at our Swindon-based plant demonstrates the passion and commitment of the team there – going above and beyond outside working hours to deliver the final product. There are no plans to put this in to production but we will be using it to transport our lawn and garden products as and when required!”