Honda is offering an insight into the styling of the next-generation Civic Type R, which will be officially unveiled next year, by showing a prototype at the Paris Motor Show.

Based on the low and wide proportions of the new Civic hatchback, which also starred at the show, the Type R Prototype is enhanced by muscular body styling and modifications to aid aerodynamic performance. The exterior is clothed in a highly reflective, finely-grained brushed aluminium-effect finish unique to the show car.

The next-generation Civic Type R was engineered within the same development programme as the other members of the Civic family, and will be officially unveiled in production form next year. It will be produced at Honda of the UK Manufacturing in Swindon – the global manufacturing hub for the five-door hatchback, with sales expected to begin in Europe during the second half of 2017.

The Type R will be exported to markets around the world, including America – which will mark the first time that any Honda-badged Type R has been officially sold there.