U.S-based Civc Type R fans rejoice! Your time has come. Debuting in Paris last night, Honda announced its newest addition to the Civic family, the 2018 Honda Civic Type R. Confirmed details are scarce right now but the major news is that the Type R will be sold in the U.S. Sales in Europe will start in the second half of 2017, while International market dates have yet to be disclosed. From Honda’s recent track record of concept-to-production models, we can assume that the Type R will look very similar to the concept car displayed in Paris. The powerplant is still a mystery but the Type R that’s currently being sold outside the U.S utilizes a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-4 that’s generating 306 horsepower. It’s believed that Honda will stick with front-wheel drive and a six-speed manual gearbox but that’s only speculation at this point. North America’s first look at the car will be at the upcoming 2016 SEMA Show in Las Vegas.

Text by DSPORT // Photos from Honda

PRESS RELEASE

New Civic Type R Prototype breaks cover in Paris

• New Civic Type R Prototype unveiled at 2016 Mondial de L’Automobile in Paris
• Prototype marked out by wide, aggressive bumpers, extended wheel arches and dramatic rear wing
• Bespoke ‘brushed aluminium’ wrap provides eye-catching finish
• Car officially unveiled at 14:30 on the Honda stand in Hall 3

The new Honda Civic Type R Prototype has been revealed at the 2016 Mondial de L’Automobile in Paris, offering an insight into the styling of the next-generation Civic Type R which will be officially unveiled in 2017.

Based on the low and wide proportions of the new Civic hatchback, the Type R Prototype is enhanced by muscular body styling and modifications to aid aerodynamic performance. The exterior is clothed in a highly reflective, finely-grained brushed aluminium-effect finish unique to the show car.

At the front, the aggressive bumper is accentuated with a winged carbon fibre splitter and sporty red accent line. Additional slatted ducts add width to the bumper, and diamond-mesh inserts fill the sculpted air intakes.

Honda’s famous red ‘H’ badge – which adorns all Type R models – sits above a new air vent at the nose of the car. There is also a new intake on the bonnet, with an air scoop sited centrally in a trapezoidal recess. Smoked lenses for the LED headlights, indicators and side repeaters reflect the Type R Prototype’s more aggressive character.

Carbon fibre side skirts run the length of the wheelbase, between 20-inch piano black alloy wheels with red accents and 245-section high-performance tyres. Enlarged arches accommodate the new wheels.

A substantial carbon fibre diffuser runs below the wider rear bumper, which frames three fully-functional tailpipes with a pair of directional strakes at each side. The central tailpipe is of a smaller diameter and is highlighted in bright metallic red. Unique peaks at the roof flanks point backwards towards a dramatic, visually striking rear wing.

The next-generation Civic Type R was engineered within the same development programme as the other members of the Civic family, and will be officially unveiled in production form next year. It will be produced at Honda of the UK Manufacturing (HUM) in Swindon – the global manufacturing hub for the five-door hatchback, with sales expected to begin in Europe during the second half of 2017.

The Type R will be exported to markets around the world, including the US – which will mark the first time that any Honda-badged Type R has been officially sold in North America.

The Type R will be officially unveiled at 14:30 on the Honda stand, located in Hall 3.