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, possibly turbo 2-litre Honda hot hatch which will be officially unveiled in 2017.
Based on the low and wide proportions of the current 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 an air vent at the nose of the car. There is also a newly added 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 exhaust 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’s UK factory 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 new Civic Type R will be exported to markets around the world, including Singapore and the USA. 
Read our review of the new 1.5-litre turbo Civic.
