Here's a vehicle we've been waiting on Honda to release for some time now, and it finally debuted at the Paris Motor Show this week. Wearing the prestigious badge of honor as its predecessors did, the new Civic Type R brings promise of the type of performance cars that once ruled the top of Honda's kingdom, and this 5-door hatchback is already looking like it can complete said mission.
Though still a prototype, a final production model will be ready for 2017, joining the Sedan, Coupe and Hatchback in the existing 10th generation Civic family, with the Si to also come next year.
Perhaps the most aggressively-styled CTR to date, this prototype has been fitted with proper aero (check the front carbon splitter, hood scoop, carbon side skirts, rear carbon diffuser, roof vortex generators), traditional/iconic red "H" emblem, smoked LED headlights and wrapped with a brushed aluminum-effect finish. It also sports 20" black alloys as well as a triple center exit exhaust (yes, functioning!).
The CTR is a joint collaboration between Honda R&D's European and Japanese teams and will be manufactured at Honda UK's Swindon plant.
(Photos: Courtesy of Honda)