2016 Paris Motor Show: Honda Civic Type R prototype revealed

Honda appears to have taken design advice for the new Civic Type R from Bruce Wayne.

THE next-generation Honda Civic Type R prototype has been revealed in all its brawny glory at the Paris Motor Show.

The archetype for the UK-built 2017 production model is a lot more aggressive than previous models, and echoes some of the design aspects of the 2015 Honda Civic Type R Concept, including extended, vented wheel arches, bolder bumper styling, and a large rear wing, all of which look even better on the current model’s flatter silhouette.

The aggro starts with a front bumper that’s accentuated with a winged carbonfibre splitter, sculpted air intakes with mesh inserts and slatted ducts at each end.

Carbonfibre side skirts run below the doors, between 20-inch piano black alloy wheels housed within the enlarged wheel arches.

The back end is one of its best angles; a carbonfibre diffuser across the rear bumper sits above three fully functional tailpipes in the centre (including a narrower centre tube highlighted in bright metallic red), with a pair of directional strakes at each side.

The stunning-looking rear end is emphasised by peaks at the roof flanks that direct airflow towards the prominent rear wing shaped to match the roofline.

The Type R’s visual appeal is enhanced by a highly reflective, finely grained brushed aluminium-effect finish, red striping along the bottom, and the predominant red ‘H’ badge on the mesh grille.

There is also a new intake on the bonnet, smoked lenses for the LED headlights, indicators and side repeaters.

The interior hasn’t been revealed, but it’s hardly likely to be bland.

No performance specs yet either, but it is expected to be powered by the current version’s 228kW/400Nm 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder, so any extra performance will be a result of tweaking or aerodynamics.

The 2017 Civic Type R is expected to be on sale in Europe in the second half of next year, with Australian sales to follow shortly after.

The Type R will also be exported to the US – the first time Honda’s hot hatch has been officially exported to North America.