Yes, you’re reading that right. The Honda Civic Type R, the purveyor of hot hatch madness, just received a styling overhaul courtesy of One Republic, the American band that's responsible for hit songs like "Apologize," "Counting Stars," and "Secret." It seems like an ideal match from a popularity standpoint, and to the surprise of many, the finished product actually looks pretty good, save for a few complaints. Can't have everything, can you, One Republic?

The one-off Civic Type R is actually part of Honda’s 2017 Honda Civic Tour where fans of the model will get a chance to see what’s new and cracking in the world of the Civic. One Republic has been tapped to headline this tour and that explains why Honda asked the band to design their own stylistic interpretation of the hot hatch. This is the result and, well, I actually like it. It’s not obnoxious in any way and the use of the matte black and red accents was done in a way that they don’t take away from the things that make the Civic Type R the desirable piece of machinery that it is. Whether you agree with me or not, we will get to see more of the One Republic-designed Honda Civic Type R in the coming months as it embarks on a cross-country tour in the U.S. alongside a custom Honda Rebel motorcycle that was also designed by the band.

Continue after the jump to read the full story.

What does the one-off Civic Type R look like and what can we expect from the tour?

I’m a fan of the idea of getting celebrities and having them come up with a design interpretation of a specific car, and as far as Honda’s concerned, there’s no better car to use as a canvas than the Honda Civic Type R. I know that some people aren’t going to take too kindly to One Republic getting involved in the design process of this particular Civic Type R, but I honestly like it. It’s relatively restrained by One Republic’s standards, and the group choosing to go with a matte black exterior is actually a good touch. Even the red accents on the hood, side skirts, and rear spoiler are slick choices.

The One Republic badging though is another story entirely. Same thing with the autographs from everyone in the band, something I think the Civic Type could do well without. Overall though, the Civic Type R looks particularly menacing in these colors and a part of me is wondering now if Honda has plans to auction this car at a later date. It certainly has the gravitas of being a Civic Type R and One Republic involvement in bringing new color to it will likewise get its fair share of attention.


But that’s a story for another time because for now, this one-off Civic Type will be participating in Honda’s 2017 Summer Tour together with the American band. In addition to the hot hatch, One Republic was also tasked to put its design imprint on the Honda Rebel motorcycle and according to Honda, both vehicles were “inspired by the band’s love of modern architecture and clean design.”


For those of you looking to get an up-close look at this particular Honda Civic Type R, keep an eye out for the stops included in the Honda Civic Tour. According to Honda, the tour is coming to places like Dallas, Montreal, Phoenix, Toronto, and Mountain View, California. Along the way, One Republic will also be joined by special guests including Fitz, The Tantrums, and James Arthur. The tour concludes on September 12, but for those who can’t make it to any of the destinations, the automaker is also planning to launch a number of contests where participants can get the chance to win their choice of any Civic variant, including the Type R, as well as other cool prizes, including a Rebel motorcycle and tickets to One Republic’s concert in Los Angeles.

2017 Honca Civic Type R Drivetrain Specs

Engine

2.0-liter, turbo, four-cylinder

Horsepower

306 hp @ 6,500 rpm

Torque

295 LB-FT @ 7,000 rpm

Transmission

6-Speed Manual

Weight

TBA

Fuel Economy

TBA

0-to-60 MPH

5.7 seconds

Topspeed

169 mph


References

Read our full review on the 2017 Honda Civic Type R.