It seems that every week we are reporting on another hot hatch being unveiled or announced. Most of the hot models have been coming from European manufacturers, but not to be outdone the chaps from the Orient have been sharpening their katanas, too.
The all-new Civic Type R has been in development for some time now; CAR even drove a test mule a while ago in Japan, which you can read about by clicking here.
Earlier this year Honda revealed the Civic Type R Concept at the Geneva Motor Show and as can be seen from the images above the near-production ready model is a little more sedate in the styling stakes.
Some of the race-derived aerodynamic addenda have been ditched with a more conservative bodykit taking its place instead. A five-door configuration has been retained as have the pumped out fenders and large rear wing.
Reports noted that the Type R, which was spotted in Europe, was being benchmarked against Mercedes’ A45 and VW’s Golf R. Honda have made no bones about the fact that will be aiming to be the quickest FWD hatchback around the famous Nurburgring racetrack – a record currently held by a very special Renault Megane RS.
Civic Type R will be powered by a turbocharged 2,0-litre, inline four-pot that is rumoured to develop roughly 225 kW. Drive will be delivered to just front axle via a six-speed transmission and a limited slip differential.