The 2020 Honda Civic Type R debuted at the start of the year, first at the 2020 Tokyo Auto Salon and then at the 2020 Chicago Auto Show with several cool updates, among them revised styling, improved handling and braking, and better engine cooling. The suite of Honda Sensing safety and driver-assist technologies now as come standard on the car, while an even more lightweight Limited Edition has been revealed. In short, Honda made an already brilliant hot hatchback even better. Everything seemed to be going swimmingly for the now-former Nurburgring FWD lap record holder until the coronavirus pandemic struck.

However, according to Japanese language publication Response, the updated Type R's arrival has been delayed for an unspecified period of time. We've reached out to Honda USA seeking comment and we'll update this space if we receive a reply.

UPDATE: A Honda spokesperson has confirmed the 2020 Civic Type R is currently available in US dealerships nationwide. Normally, about 5,000 units arrive each year. However, 2020 will be a slightly shorter model year due to the Swindon, UK plant closure during the pandemic. 2020 Type R owners have something kind of special, given the circumstances.

Originally set to arrive in dealerships this summer, the report claims this has been postponed because the Swindon, UK production facility the Type R and Civic Hatchback call home was forced to close in March and only reopened earlier this month. This facility is also set to close permanently in July 2021. It hasn't been decided yet where the current and next-generation Type R and hatchback will be built once that happens.

If this launch delay is really happening then we wouldn't be surprised to learn the updated 2020 Type R will simply skip a model year and become a 2021 model.

In addition to those aforementioned upgrades, buyers will also enjoy a new steering wheel wrapped in Alcantara, restyled shifter knob, and numerous suspension adjustments like updated dampers, stiffer rear bushings, and steering modifications.

Not surprisingly, Honda has already revealed plans for the Type R's Nurburgring return as part of an effort to hopefully beat the car that took its crown, the Renault Megane RS Trophy-R. Honda must beat a 7:40.1 Ring time compared to the Type R's initial time of 7:43.8.