Autobacs Unleashes an ARTA GT Kit for the Honda Civic Type R — And It’s Pure Track-Bred Drama
Category: Automotive / Car Culture
Image Credit: Courtesy of Autobacs Seven / ARTA
Autobacs is reportedly asking around $85,000 for the limited ARTA GT kit, with production restricted to only 20 examples, underscoring its status as one of the most extreme and exclusive Civic Type R conversions ever offered.
The Honda Civic Type R has never been shy about making a statement. In a world of understated hot hatches, it already wears its performance on its sleeve. But for Autobacs Seven, one of Japan’s most influential automotive retailers, “bold” simply wasn’t bold enough.
Enter the ARTA GT kit — a motorsport-inspired body transformation that pushes the Civic Type R deep into race car territory. Developed by the same minds behind the ARTA Civic Type R Super GT 500 race car, this package blurs the line between street legality and full-blown circuit weaponry.
Only 20 examples of the ARTA GT kit will ever be produced, and they’re exclusive to the Japanese market, instantly making it one of the rarest Civic Type R conversions to date.
Visually, the kit is unapologetically aggressive. A towering swan-neck rear wing dominates the rear, paired with a functional race-style diffuser designed to increase downforce at speed. The widened flared arches give the car a planted, muscular stance — not just for looks, but to support wider rubber and improved track grip.
This isn’t a cosmetic-only upgrade. The ARTA GT kit reflects genuine racing influence, built with aerodynamic performance in mind. On tight, technical circuits, this Type R wouldn’t just look at home chasing down exotic machinery — it would actively threaten it.
While Autobacs hasn’t positioned the kit as a mass-market offering, that’s exactly the point. The ARTA GT Civic Type R is a statement piece:
a celebration of Japanese motorsport culture, exclusivity, and the idea that a hot hatch can punch far above its weight when engineered with racing DNA.
For Civic Type R purists and JDM enthusiasts alike, this limited-run conversion cements one thing — the hot hatch wars are far from cooling down.
Performance to Match the Style
(Hardware to Match the Looks)
The ARTA GT kit isn’t just visual theater — Autobacs makes sure the performance backs it up. Alongside the aggressive bodywork, the Civic Type R receives a larger intercooler, improving charge-air cooling and supporting sustained high-performance driving. Autobacs also hints at additional powertrain refinements to the 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four, though exact output figures remain undisclosed — a move that keeps the focus on balance rather than headline numbers.
Braking performance gets a serious upgrade as well. The factory Brembo setup is swapped out for a full AP Racing system, complete with two-piece brake discs and oversized black calipers, delivering sharper response and improved fade resistance under track conditions.
To complete the transformation, suspension enhancements are included to sharpen handling and maximize the benefits of the widened stance and aerodynamic additions. The result is a Type R that doesn’t just look race-ready — it’s engineered to perform with the precision and confidence of a true circuit-focused machine.
Autobacs has also positioned the ARTA GT kit as an ultra-exclusive offering. If pricing is accurate, the package is expected to cost around $85,000, transforming the Honda Civic Type R into a full GT-style street and track monster. With production capped at just 20 units, the ARTA GT build isn’t aimed at casual enthusiasts — it’s designed for collectors and hardcore performance purists who want something genuinely rare.
Disclaimer: Power Pulse Magazine (PPM) covers automotive news and lifestyle features for informational and entertainment purposes. Prices, specifications, and availability are subject to change by manufacturers. Readers should verify details directly with official sources before making purchasing decisions.
Image Credit: Courtesy of Autobacs Seven / ARTA
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Autobacs launched a limited $85K kit that transforms the Civic Type R into a GT-style monster, but only 20 will be made
Credit : Carscoops
There will be 20 kits made available for this high-performance Type R, revealed at the Tokyo Auto Salon.
Credit : Road & Track | By Zac Palmer | Published: Jan 09, 2016













