[Civic X News]

Those of you in Paris already had a chance to see Honda’s new Civic Type R prototype, now its North America’s turn.

We’re all excited to see the Civic Type R make its North America debut at the 2016 SEMA show in Las Vegas. Europe is used to seeing the highest performance version of the Honda Civic on showroom floors, but the 2018 CivicType R will be the first one sold in the states and give rival Focus RS a run for its money.

Based on Honda’s new Civic Hatchback body style, the Type R is sporting a brushed titanium-like finish which most likely won’t make it into the production model. We also see 20-inch wheels that probably won’t come standard and the red central exhaust tip might not make it into the rod going model either. Other than those features, the prototype should look very close to what future owners will be getting.

The production model may have the same hood scoop, flared wheel arches, rear wing, and rear bumper. We’re expecting to see a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine under its bonnet, the same one in the current outgoing model, but tuned to pump out more than 306hp to both front wheels.

 

[4Tires]

I can't imagine why they wouldn't just keep the exhaust pipes as is. The red one must have a purpose and removing it could affect the Type R's performance.