2022 Civic Type R Camouflage Hides A Stunning Easter Egg For Hardcore Honda Fans

The new generation Honda Civic Type R features more mature styling and lacks the hood scoop of its predecessor.

Honda kicks off a teaser campaign for the next generation Civic Type R, showing off camouflaged images of a new car that will compete against the Volkswagen Golf R, Hyundai i30 N and Renault Megane RS.

Based on the 11th generation Civic hatchback due in Australian showrooms before the end of the year, the new Type R looks set to get rid of its predecessor's more controversial elements, namely fake air vents and a hood scoop.

Instead, the new Type R takes on the more mature aesthetic of the 11th-gen Civic but looks a bit more powerful thanks to big Brembo brakes, grippy Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires and, of course, a giant rear wing.

The center-exit triple exhaust also returns for the 2022 Civic Type R, with the middle exhaust now larger than the others.

While the Type R styling is still kept under wraps thanks to the camouflage wrap, the exterior cladding actually hides a little hardcore Civic secret.

Look closely and you'll realize the cover is made up of silhouettes of the previous generation Civic Type R, including the original 1997 EK9, the EP2001 follow-up to the 3rd, the 2007 FD sedan, the infamous 2 FN2007, the turbocharged 2 FK2015 and the highly acclaimed 2 FK2017 .

Not much has been confirmed for the 2022 Civic Type R, but rumors point to a 2.0-liter turbo-petrol powertrain assisted by two electric motors with a total system output of 294kW.

This would be a significant power boost over the previous car's 228kW/400Nm engine and would easily outperform competitors such as the Hyundai i206 N with 392kW/30Nm and the new generation VW Golf R with 235kW/420Nm.

In fact, if the rumors are true, the new Civic Type R could compete with overtly sports cars like the 298kW/475Nm Nissan Z and the 285kW/500Nm Toyota Supra.

However, the electric motors are said to power the rear axle, potentially making the new generation Civic Type R all-wheel drive for the first time.

However, the engine will be paired with a manual transmission, as confirmed earlier this year by a Honda spokesman in the US.

2021 Honda Civic Type R

“For the super enthusiasts, yes, we will have a Civic Type R, and again, it will be a manual transmission,” Carl Pulli, Honda U.S. communications manager, said in May.

As for Australia, the new generation Civic Type R will be sourced from Japan as the plant in Swindon, UK, which made previous Honda hot hatchbacks, is closed.

Expect to see the announcement of the new hot hatch soon, as well as a return to the Nürburgring for more testing and a possible lap record.