Will be introduced later this year

Work continues on the Honda Civic Type R as our spies have caught two prototypes undergoing cold weather testing near the Arctic Circle.

Previewed by the Civic Type R Concept II, the production model will has a familiar front fascia but adopts circular fog lights and a more restrained spoiler. The car also has revised side skirts, a four tailpipe exhaust system and a massive rear wing.

A turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine will reside under the hood and produce more than 280 PS (206 kW). Honda has previously said this will enable the model to "deliver unmatched performance compared to any previous Type R car" including the "Integra, Accord and even the NSX."

The Honda Civic Type R will also be equipped with a sport-tuned suspension, an Adaptive Damper System and a steering wheel-mounted ‘+R’ button that heightens the engine and steering response.

Honda will finally reveal the production version of the Civic Type R at the Geneva Motor Show next month, following a long series of concept cars. The Swiss auto show will also host the European premiere of the Honda-badged NSX supercar, which had its world debut as an Acura at the Detroit Auto Show early this month.

The Honda Civic Type R will be the most extreme Type R ever built, with the automaker confident it will set new standards in the segment thanks to “blistering performance and thrilling dynamics.”

Powered by a new 2.0-liter VTEC Turbo engine producing more than 280PS (276hp) and mated to a six-speed manual transmission driving the front wheels, the all-new Civic Type R will also benefit from new chassis technologies to deliver “one of the most immersive and rewarding driving experiences available in any sector.”

The new Type R will also mark the debut of the new “+R” button, which activates the “+R” mode that heightens engine responsiveness, changes torque-mapping to a more aggressive and performance-focused setting, and makes steering more responsive.

Alongside the all-new Civic Type R, Honda’s Geneva Motor Show booth will also host the European debut of the NSX hybrid supercar. Additionally, the all-new HR-V and Jazz production models will have their European debut in Geneva ahead of their commercial debut in summer 2015, with Honda also bringing the FCV Concept to Europe for the first time.

The upcoming Honda Civic Type R is on everyone’s lips, which is why almost no one noticed that Honda has applied some styling and content updates to the regular Civic as well.

For 2015, the Honda Civic presents itself with an updated, an all-new suspension, as well as new safety and infotainment technologies. Furthermore, Honda has also launched a Sport derivative, which features visual links to the Civic Type R. Styling upgrades apply to both the hatchback and the Tourer and include new headlamps with integrated DRLs, LED taillights, redesigned front and rear bumpers, new side skirts and a black rear spoiler.

On the inside, refreshed Civic models get new seat fabrics and stitching on the headrests, new door trims with chrome door handles and a control panel finished in metallic black.

Another significant addition is the all-new Honda Connect in-car audio and information system with a 7-inch display screen, which features AM/FM, DAB and Internet Radio, Bluetooth connectivity, internet browsing, satellite navigation and rear-view parking camera. The system is also compatible with Android 4.0.4.

The facelifted Civic also debuts a series of new suspension and active safety technologies that Honda says will make the car “significantly more enjoyable to drive, as well as more stable in all conditions.” Upgrades were made to the Agile Handling Assist and Vehicle Stability Assist systems to increase responsiveness, stability and traction. Additionally, all 2015 Civic models are equipped as standard with Honda’s City-Brake Active system, designed to help avoid or mitigate low speed accidents.

As for the new Civic Sport derivative (pictured), it is based on the Civic hatchback and can be ordered with either the 120PS (118hp) 1.6-liter diesel engine or the 142PS (140hp) 1.8-liter petrol unit. Styling-wise, Civic Sport models get a unique color-coded rear spoiler and 17-inch alloy wheels, as well as Civic Type R-inspired elements including the new front bumper with a lower grille mesh and a black roof lining for the cabin.

Honda is warming us up with the release of the first official pictures of the production Civic Type R, just ahead of its world debut at the Geneva Motor Show.

And while it still won't tell us exactly how much power will come from the newly developed 2.0-liter VTEC Turbo engine - only that it will produce "more than 280PS or 276hp", Honda confirmed that the hot hatch will deliver a "class-best top speed of 270km/h (167mph)".

Helping the new Civic Type R achieve those speeds is a unique to this model aerodynamic package that includes an almost completely flat underside, bespoke rear wing, a wide front splitter nestled under the redesign bumper and deep side skirts. According to Honda, the changes made to the body result in "a car with exceptional high speed stability and high levels of downforce".

While the cropped images don't show the entire car, we can see that the front section has received some minor changes over the concept and specifically, the slightly smaller corner air-inlets that gain round fog lights (not as futuristic-looking as the study).

The new 19-inch alloy wheels have a different design too but they keep the concept's black paint and red accent ring, while they're shod in low profile Continental performance tires. This picture also reveals the high performance Brembo brake package with four-piston calipers for the front wheels.

Last but certainly not least, there's a picture of the Civic Type R's instrument panel with the bright red background and a 7,000 rpm redline on the tachometer, with the "R+" and Engine Start buttons peeking from the corners.

The new Honda Civic Type R is just a couple of weeks away from its debut at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show, and in the lead up to its arrival Honda has dropped a few more details on its upcoming hot hatch. We also have the first photos of the final production version, in its Championship White hero color.

We already know that the new Civic Type R will be powered by a direct-injected and turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with VTEC variable valve timing, and that the engine’s output will be “more than” 276 horsepower (the final figure could be as high as 320 hp). Honda has now confirmed that this will be enough to carry the car to a top speed of 167 mph, making it one of the fastest front-wheel-drive cars in production.

To ensure stability at such high speed, the Civic Type R will be fitted with a host of mods aimed at boosting downforce. Specific elements include an almost completely flat underbody, a rear diffuser, a rear spoiler, deep side skirts, and a wide front splitter. The front bumper has also been shaped specifically to inhibit air turbulence around the wheels, cutting drag and further enhancing high-speed stability.

Heat management was another major focus for the engineering team. In this regard, the Civic Type R will feature enlarged upper and lower grilles in the front bumper, vents above the wheels on the front quarter panels and vents at the trailing edges of the front wheel arches to provide greater cooling and ventilation for the engine and brakes. Those brakes, by the way, will be beefy Brembos, with four-piston calipers and 13.7-inch discs found at the front. The brakes will sit within a set of 19-inch alloys unique to the car.

Prototypes for the Civic Type R have been spotted on U.S. soil. There have been reports that the car may be offered locally, though we’re yet to receive confirmation that it’s coming. What Honda has confirmed is that a version of the car’s turbocharged 2.0-liter four will end up in some models here. The engine is even set to be produced at a plant in Anna, Ohio.

Stay tuned for the full reveal of the 2015 Honda Civic Type R at the Geneva Motor Show, which gets underway March 3. More coverage of the show can be accessed via our dedicated hub.

Before you answer, let us put your mind to ease by telling you that the black Civic Type R that appears at the 15-second mark in the spot isn’t the production car but the concept.

We know this because Honda shared a few teaser pictures of the car earlier this month in which we saw that the study's bumper-mounted, LED daytime running light strips have been replaced by round fog lights on the production model that will bow at the Geneva motor show on March 3.

Back to the 20-second spot, Honda says:

"‘Keep up’ introduces Honda’s new range of products and continuing innovations all whilst challenging the viewer to push themselves to improve, a philosophy Honda has embraced since the birth of the company."

Check it out below.

Someone took an upskirt picture of the new Honda Civic Type-R, but we're not sure if this a final production model, or one of the pre-production cars used for commercials and testing.

You see, one of the big questions surrounding Honda's new Civic Type R is how close or far away will the production car be from the impressive 2014 concept.

Will it have the study's bloated front and rear fenders? Will it keep the racy air vents behind all four wheels? Will the 'devilish' rear lights mounted on the huge rear wing remain put?

The only thing we know for sure from the official cropped pictures shared by Honda recently is that the front bumper will be toned down a notch losing the LED strips, the front flared fenders won't be as bulky as on the concept but will retain the air vents, and that it gets a slightly different wheel design.

This particular photo shows that the Civic Type R also lost the beefed up rear wheel arches and rear bumper vents.

We'll know soon what the rest of the car looks like as Honda will reveal the hot hatch at next week's Geneva Motor Show.

A WCF reader has sent us very revealing images of the production-spec Honda Civic Type R.

It was only several hours ago when we posted an image with the car partially hidden under a cover and now the wraps are off and we get to take a closer look at the much awaited hot hatchback. As expected, it doesn’t look as radical as the concepts but nevertheless it has all the ingredients you would want from a high-powered hatch such as the wide body with a prominent wing, a prominent diffuser, muscular wheel arches and a quad exhaust system.

It rides on 19-inch glossy black alloy wheels with red accents matching the brake calipers which on the front axle work with Brembo 350mm drilled discs. Underneath the hood is a four-cylinder 2.0-liter turbocharged gasoline engine rated at more than 280 HP (206 kW) which will be enough for a top speed of 167 mph (270 km/h).

The Honda Civic Type R will premiere on March 3 at the Geneva Motor Show but a full online reveal could occur this weekend.