New Honda Civic Type R prototype to be showcased at Tokyo Auto Salon

Honda will give the public the first in-person glimpse of the upcoming new Civic Type R at the Tokyo Auto Salon. While not the final production model, a prototype of the upcoming performance model will make its debut at the auto show being held in January, alongside a number of other products by the carmaker.

• Tokyo Auto Salon to be held from January 14-16
• Production Civic Type R to debut later in 2022

New Honda Civic Type R: what do we know

Based on the new 11th-gen Civic, the Type R will receive a sportier body kit compared to the standard model, though images of the prototype suggest it may not look as aggressive as the outgoing model. As with its predecessor, the new Type R is expected to be available only as a hatchback.

Images of the prototype released by the company suggest that the car gets sportier bumpers at the front and rear, along with more prominent flares to the wheel arches. Like its predecessor, the new Type R will sport a prominent boot-mounted spoiler along with a central exhaust.

Coming to the engine, the Type R is expected to remain a petrol-only model. The current model’s 2.0-litre turbo-petrol unit is expected to be carried over, but with upgrades to further enhance performance.

The production Type R is expected to debut later in the year.

More Hondas at the Tokyo Auto Salon

The Civic Type R aside, Honda will also debut the Vezel (HR-V) Modulo X – a kitted-up version of its global SUV with a number of sportier parts. Another recognisable model set to be showcased will be the new Honda Jazz (Fit)-based Fit Crosstar Custom.

Honda N-Van Custom "Third Place Van"

Moving on to the Japan-focused models, the carmaker will have on display a number of kitted-up Kei cars. These include the N-Van Custom “Third Place Van” – a mobile café on wheels based on the company’s Kei car van. Also on display will be a sportier take on the N-One hatchback – badged the K-Climb – dressed up in a custom livery and featuring a sportier body kit replete with wheel arch extensions, sportier bumpers and roof-mounted spoiler.

Honda’s plans for India

While none of these models are likely to make it here, the carmaker is expected to launch the much-awaited hybrid variant of the popular City midsize sedan next year. The carmaker is also working on a new SUV for the Indian markets, though its launch is some time away.