Honda Civic Type R images leaked

Images of the Honda Civic Type R have leaked online, ahead of the hot hatch's reveal at next week's Geneva motor show.

2017 Honda Civic Type R unveiled

Made at Honda's Swindon plant, these images show that the production model is near-identical to the Type R concept shown at Paris motor show last September.

The Type R is expected to get more power than the current 306bhp 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol and keep its front-wheel-drive set-up, despite plenty of rivals opting for four-wheel-drive.

Honda has always gone for the Nürburgring lap record with its Type R, so an attempt is also expected with this upcomiong model. It will have to be faster than the current fastest front-driven car, the Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport S, which took the title from the Type R last year.

The new Type R has also been designed from the beginning of the new Civic programme, compared to the outgoing model which had to be heavily reengineered. As a result it can utilise the new Civic’s multi-link rear axle. The outgoing model had to be converted from the Civic’s standard twist-beam to a new multi-link, eating-up engineering time and resources.

Talking to Autocar about the Type R concept at the Paris motor show, the car’s chief designer Daisuke Tsutamori said: "We have a lot more downforce from the design and aero package." 

Honda also confirmed at the time that the new Type R will have a slight price increase over the existing model which starts from £30,000. 

Read more about what's coming to the Geneva motor show