Honda has already teased its upcoming hot hatch hero, but our spy photographers wanted to see more than just a couple of stationary images.

    The 2022 Honda Civic Type R has been snapped testing near the Nurburgring, giving us a closer look at the detailing on its wide body.

    Honda has confirmed the new Civic Type R will launch in 2022 globally, and will come to Australia.

    When it arrives, it’ll sit alongside the all-new Civic hatch and HR-V SUV in a revitalised Honda range.

    Like before, it’ll be petrol-powered and have a six-speed manual transmission.

    Honda is expected to slot an evolution of the current turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine under the bonnet. At the moment it makes 228kW of power and 400Nm of torque.

    Honda isn’t likely to rest on its laurels with the 2022 Type R, let alone go backwards, so a power and torque bump is likely.

    Although it’s no shrinking violet, the new Type R does look slightly simpler than its predecessor on the outside.

    The bumpers appear smoother, the flanks less angular, and the wing appears slightly lower-profile. Sure, it’s not subtle, but the more motorsports-inspired supports aren’t quite as bold as before.

    The trio of exhaust pipes down back carries on for 2022, housed in what looks like an aggressive diffuser.

    Inside, the new Civic has a new retro-ish design (below) and what appears to be a new infotainment system.

    Throw in a red-and-black steering wheel, a metal gear knob, and a set of deep bucket seats, and you’ve likely got a pretty good idea of how the Type R will look.

    The core Civic hatch range will arrive in the fourth quarter of 2021, with the new e:HEV hybrid following in 2022.

    These cars will be sold under Honda’s new agency sales model, where prices are fixed across its network of showrooms.

    MORE: Everything Honda Civic

    Scott Collie

    Scott Collie is an automotive journalist based in Melbourne, Australia. Scott studied journalism at RMIT University and, after a lifelong obsession with everything automotive, started covering the car industry shortly afterwards. He has a passion for travel, and is an avid Melbourne Demons supporter.

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