Honda on Thursday said its next-generation Civic Type R hot hatch is currently undergoing testing at the challenging Suzuki International Racing Course in Japan.
A few images of a camouflaged Civic Type R released by Honda reveal few surprises. The car is once again based on the Civic hatchback rather than the sedan, and it boasts an enormous rear wing.
The car also made an appearance wearing camouflage at the Tokyo Auto Salon.
We don't know just what is in store for the next-gen Type R, but it's likely to use a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder presumably with more power than the 306 hp offered by the outgoing Type R. It is safe to bet on a 6-speed manual transmission -- the less-hot Civic Si sedan features one -- as well as front-wheel drive, though the rumor mill occasionally hints at an all-wheel-drive variant.
The adaptive dampers that made that model so capable of performing adeptly on both winding roads and pockmarked pavement commutes are nearly certain to make a comeback as well.
The next Civic Type R is the first slated to be built in the U.S. alongside other Civic models at the automaker's plant in Southern Indiana.
The Suzuka Circuit is a noted Formula One track -- home of the Japanese Grand Prix -- is arranged like a "figure eight" and once served as a test track for Honda. See Honda Civic models for sale
