2018 Honda Civic Type R Prototype Is The One Coming To U.S. And We’re Super Hyped

Joining the new Honda Civic hatchback in a world premiere at the Paris Auto Show is the near-production 2018 Civic Type R Prototype, and this one is coming to North America where the 2017 five door model just landed at the brand’s US dealerships.

Honda being Honda, the Civic Type R Prototype is a ‘prototype’ mostly in the name, as the only thing that seems to separate it from the actual production car that will go on sale State-side next year as a 2018MY, is the rather cool brushed titanium-like finish of the body, as evidenced by our recent sightings of testers. 

The new Civic Type R is as aggressive and brash as the short lived, current model, that was never offered in North America, sporting a similar styling treatment on the outside with bloated and vented front fenders, breathing ducts on the bumper, a big rear wing, diffuser, plus a few new elements, including an intake hood scoop and an unusual exhaust setup with three pipes in the center.

We don’t have any performance specifics yet, but we know that the new 2018 Civic Type R will repeat the 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged VTEC engine from the current car where it develops 306hp and 400Nm (295 lb-ft) of torque, with some sources pointing to improved power figures to better compete with Ford’s Focus RS.

Expect a six-speed manual to feed the front wheels, likely through a smart differential that will be supported by changes to the regular Civic hatchback’s new global platform, including to the suspension, brakes, steering and electronic driving aids, to tame those horses on the road – and the track. 

We’ll have more on the Civic Type R Prototype that should make its North American debut either at SEMA in Las Vegas or at the LA Auto Show later this year, from the Paris Auto Show tomorrow.