The Civic Type R prototype shows what the hot hatch will look like when it arrives next year.

Honda certainly isn’t going to wait till the tail-end of their new Civic’s lifecycle to roll out its Type R offshoot. Instead Honda has given a preview of what to expect from the next Civic Type R alongside the public debut of the tenth-generation Civic hatch.

Based on the new Civic hatch that is slated to arrive here next year, the Civic Type R prototype looks like how a weaponised family hatch should, with the same sort of visual treatment that was given to its predecessor. 

Gone is the standard Civic’s sleek front end, as the Civic Type R prototype sports a bigger front grille, huge side air intakes that is further widened by the addition of slatted ducts, and a bonnet scoop to feed more air to the engine. 

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We can expect the production Civic Type R to come armed with more power than its predecessor’s 228kW and 400Nm.

Its flared wheel arches in the meantime house huge 20-inch wheels that are wrapped with 245-width performance tyres, whereas its rear-end features three functioning tailpipes that is reminiscent of the Ferrari 458 Italia. 

Shock value aside, the Type R prototype’s red-accented carbon-fibre front splitter, side skirts, and rear diffuser, along with its massive rear wing and roof flanks, are said to have been honed to improve its aerodynamic performance. 

For now Honda hasn’t released any specifics on its technical details or performance figures, however we can expect the production Civic Type R to come armed with more power than its predecessor’s 228kW and 400Nm, and outgun its 0 to 100km/h time of 5.7 seconds, from its VTEC Turbo engine. Though that being said, what is certain is that the upcoming hot hatch will sport a manual shifter when it arrives here. 

Considering how Honda brought the new Civic sedan and hatch from concept to production with nary a notable change, the production Civic Type R would likely sport most - if not all - of the design cues seen on the Prototype Paris show car when it is officially unveiled next year. 

Unlike its predecessor, the upcoming Civic Type R was part of the same development programme as the rest of the current Civic range. Production of the Civic Type R will be carried out in Honda’s European manufacturing hub in Swindon, in the United Kingdom. The production Civic Type R hatch has already been earmarked for the Australian market, with its introduction slated for next year. 

Will you be keeping an eye out for the Civic Type R when it arrives in Australia? Tell us what you think in the comments below.