Civic Type R

Make
Honda
Segment
Hatchback

For some months now, Honda has been touting its upcoming, next-generation Civic Type R as the next hottest hatch you're going to really, really want. Still months away from its official unveiling and market debut in 2015, the car has been spotted testing at the Nurburgring in Germany, and it looks just as hot as promised. In this round of testing, Honda is benchmarking the Civic Type R against the Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG, proving that it's aiming very high with this model.

When Honda showed a concept model of this car a few months ago, it was said to be powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, which the company promised would deliver at least 280 horsepower. Now, rumors have that figure as high as 320 hp. The Type R is likely to be offered in front-wheel drive, making its closest rival the SEAT Leon Cupra, which recently broke the Nurburgring lap record. For now, it still seems Honda doesn't intend to bring the Type R to America.