honda civic type R set to make first ever race to the american market

the new honda civic ‘type R prototype’ has been revealed at the 2016 paris international motor show, offering an insight into the styling of its next-generation car design which will be officially unveiled in 2017. based on the low and wide proportions of the 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 aluminum-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 revered 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 prototype’s 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 tires. 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 program 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,the first models expected to arrive 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.