The New Civic Type R - "Designed for the sort of customer who has a passion for driving and a love for sports cars. This is a new era for Type R." Masaru HASAGAWA - Chief Stylist.

Video issued by Honda EU Press Office.

The last bona-fide Type R model sold by Honda in the U.S. was the sprightly Integra Type R, sold under the Acura brand in the late 1990s. Many Type Rs have come and gone since then, but none of them have been sold in the U.S.

With details of Honda's latest Civic Type R emerging, some U.S. Honda fans have got a little fed up of being denied the company's most exciting products. And they've started a petition to try and get Honda to change its mind.

As Motor Trend reports, the petition states, "Honda enthusiasts demand that the discrimination against our market stops right here. There is no excuse anymore. If other countries can enjoy the best Honda has to offer, we should be able to enjoy the same rights". It's proving popular too, with nearly 8,000 signatures already. Honda's public relations department has already responded to the petition, praising the enthusiasm of those who've signed it--but the company still can't promise anything.

In many ways, the Type R's absence isn't Honda's decision. Developed in Europe, the current Civic hatchback has never been certified for sale in the U.S, and never "federalized" to meet U.S. standards for safety or emissions. Doing so can cost a company huge sums of money, particularly for a specialist vehicle like the Type R which wouldn't sell in great numbers. That means American buyers may never get to experience the new car's expected 280-horsepower-plus output, and handling that could make it the fastest front-wheel drive car around the fearsome Nürburgring Nordschleife.

All is not lost, however. There's a chance that Honda's next-generation CR-Z could spawn a hot model using a drivetrain setup similar to the Civic Type R, and rumors persist that Honda has already built a prototype of the car based on the current CR-Z. While not quite as potent as the Civic, the next CR-Z's output could top 220 horses, from a turbocharged 1.5-liter engine and hybrid setup. Power is said to go through a new seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. And unlike the Civic, the CR-Z is likely to be developed with the U.S. in mind...

Will be introduced sometime next year

The 2015 Honda Civic Type-R has been spied undisguised at their European Technical Center.

Caught being tested alongside an assortment of hot hatches - including the Mercedes A45 AMG, Renault Megane RS and Volkswagen Golf R - the Civic Type-R follows in the footsteps of the concept that was introduced at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year. As a result, the car has an aggressive body kit with modified bumpers, aerodynamic side skirts, extended front fenders and a prominent rear wing. The model has also been equipped with a rear diffuser, a four-tailpipe exhaust system and golden alloy wheels.

Power will be provided by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder petrol engine that develops "at least" 280 PS (206 kW). Honda has been coy on the official numbers but speculation suggests the final output could be around 320 PS (235 kW).

With the goal set at producing the fastest front-wheel drive car to ever lap the Nurburgring, Honda has its work cut out when it comes to the new Civic Type R.

A new video teasing the production Civic Type R was released by Honda today, allowing us to hear how this hot hatch will sound. Power will be delivered by a new 2.0-liter turbocharged “Earth Dreams” four-cylinder engine producing just about 280 hp.

In terms of looks, the car seen in the teaser appears to be nearly the same as the Civc Type R Concept that was revealed at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show. Clearly designed for enhanced aerodynamics, the Civic Type R has a full body kit complete with a large rear spoiler, a front splitter and low side skirts.