The new Honda Civic Type R will begin testing at the Nurburgring later this year
Although it is not scheduled to be launched until 2015, company officials say that the ambitious performance targets - which include setting the fastest ever front-wheel drive lap time around the Nurburgring - mean that public testing will begin early.
Honda has confirmed that the car will have between 265 and 300bhp, suggesting power for the new Civic Type R will come from a turbocharged 2.0-litre engine.
The manufacturer claims that knowledge gleaned from its participation in the World Touring Car Championship, using a turbocharged 1.6-litre engine, will directly influence its new Type R unit.
The new Honda Civic Type R will initially be sold in Europe only, with non-European sales likely to follow if the car is well received. No prices have yet been announced.
