Joining the new Honda Civic hatchback in a world premiere at the Paris Auto Show is the near-production 2018 Civic Type R Prototype, and this one is coming to North America where the 2017 five door model just landed at the brand’s US dealerships.

Honda being Honda, the Civic Type R Prototype is a ‘prototype’ mostly in the name, as the only thing that seems to separate it from the actual production car that will go on sale State-side next year as a 2018MY, is the rather cool brushed titanium-like finish of the body, as evidenced by our recent sightings of testers.

The new Civic Type R is as aggressive and brash as the short lived, current model, that was never offered in North America, sporting a similar styling treatment on the outside with bloated and vented front fenders, breathing ducts on the bumper, a big rear wing, diffuser, plus a few new elements, including an intake hood scoop and an unusual exhaust setup with three pipes in the center.

We don’t have any performance specifics yet, but we know that the new 2018 Civic Type R will repeat the 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged VTEC engine from the current car where it develops 306hp and 400Nm (295 lb-ft) of torque, with some sources pointing to improved power figures to better compete with Ford’s Focus RS.

Expect a six-speed manual to feed the front wheels, likely through a smart differential that will be supported by changes to the regular Civic hatchback’s new global platform, including to the suspension, brakes, steering and electronic driving aids, to tame those horses on the road – and the track.

We’ll have more on the Civic Type R Prototype that should make its North American debut either at SEMA in Las Vegas or at the LA Auto Show later this year, from the Paris Auto Show tomorrow.

Honda has just dropped the first video of its brand new Civic Type R Prototype ahead of the vehicle's public debut at the Paris Auto Show later today.

As recent spy shots of the model suggested, it combines many of the overt styling elements of the current Civic Type R into the new body of the latest-generation Civic. As such, the front end includes a custom splitter and new air intakes/grilles. There's also flared wheel arches, a large hood scoop, bespoke 20-inch wheels and an entirely revised rear fascia with a towering wing, distinctive diffuser and three central exhaust pipes.

Although the first video barely features more than a few seconds of driving footage, it goes without saying that as with all Type R-badged models before it, the new hardcore Civic will put the driver first.

As such, power from the current 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged VTEC engine is expected to rise over the current 306 hp and 400 Nm (295 lb-ft) of torque. It's possible that a horsepower figure near the Ford Focus RS's 350 hp is on the cards. Unlike the Ford, the new U.S.-bound Civic Type R remains front-wheel drive and will come standard with a six-speed manual transmission.

"We promised the most ambitious, sportiest Civic lineup ever and we're delivering on that promise with each new Civic," said Jeff Conrad, senior vice president and general manager of Honda America. "For the first time ever in America, Honda fans and enthusiasts will have access to the ultimate in Civic performance in the form of the new Type R."

After Paris, the prototype will make its North American debut at the 2016 SEMA show in Las Vegas running from October 31 to November 3, before being revealed in its final production form and going on sale in the US, Europe and elsewhere around the world, in 2017.

Just after debuting in 'prototype' guise at the Paris Auto Show, the 2018 Honda Civic Type R has been filmed testing at the Nurburgring, ahead of a likely assault on the front-wheel drive production car lap record.

Soon after the release 2015 Civic Type R, the model set a production car lap record around the Nurburgring for a front-wheel drive vehicle with a blistering 7:50 lap. Since then, theVolkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport S has gone on to claim the record after lapping the famous circuit in just seven minutes and 49 seconds.

Eager to reclaim the record, Honda has been testing the latest-generation Civic Type R at 'Green Hell' feverishly throughout the model's development and as it nears production next year, we get closer and closer to seeing it attempt a flat-out lap.

While performance details about the new model haven't been announced, it is bound to be faster and more powerful than its predecessor. Consequently, power from the 2.0-liter turbocharged VTEC four-cylinder engine will be increased from the existing 306 hp and 400 Nm (295 lb-ft) of torque to nearer the 350 hp mark.

Despite Ford's use of an all-wheel drive system for the latest Focus RS, the new Type R continues to send power exclusively through the front wheels courtesy of a six-speed manual transmission.

While much of the world eagerly awaits the debut of the production-spec 2018 Honda Civic Type R, Motor Trend has learnt that the sporty Civic Si will debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show on November 16.

Details about the latest Civic Si remain scarce at this stage. However, it is reported that the model with either use a tuned variant of Honda's 1.5-literturbocharged engine or instead, adetuned version of the Type R's 2.0-liter turbo'd four.

Whatever the case may be, the model will slot perfectly between the current 173 hp, 1.5-liter Civic and the Type R, pumping out between 220 and 230 hp. As one would expect, power will be channelled to the front wheels and a six-speed manual 'box will be available alongside an automatic.

In terms of styling, the new Civic Si will be adorned with a few unique touches to distinguish it from other variants in the range. Key changes will include a modified front fascia and grille and a unique exhaust pipe design.