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  • The 2023 Civic Type R debuts at Tokyo Auto Salon January 14-16
  • We expect Honda to deliver some specs on the Type R at that time
  • Honda may not add horsepower to the new Type R

Long have we waited. Honda has been teasing the new 2023 Honda Civic Type R for months now. We’ve had our fill of Nurburging Type R spy shots, Twitter hijinks, and spy photos. Now, the brand will finally unveil the brand new, even hotter Civic at Tokyo Auto Salon in January. We can’t wait.

Will there be a 2023 Civic Type R?

Honda first confirmed the new Type R several months back with a series of spy photos featuring the livery you see here. We also got some spy shots of the Type R’s interior a while back. Now, we know the new Civic Type R prototype will debut between January 14th and 16th at the legendary Tokyo Auto Salon. Unfortunately, the brand was rather cagey on the details beyond that. We don’t have a specific day yet, but we imagine the JDM brand will save the best for last.

However, we do know a few other details regarding the stick-shift-only Type R’s debut. Honda says the prototype will be shown not only in person, but in an “action-packed test-driving video.” Based on the brand’s media release, that means visitors to the Tokyo Auto Salon will be able to learn what went into the 2023 Honda Civic Type R directly from engineers.

How much power will the 2023 Honda Civic Type R have?

The new 2023 Honda Civic Type R
Honda’s newest Type R | Honda

Obviously, that could mean we’ll finally have some specs. Given that they’re the same brand, we expect the 2023 Honda Civic Type R launch to be structured much the same as the 2023 Acura Integra’s launch. Unfortunately, that means all we have right now is estimates. We’re sure the 2023 Honda Civic Type R will make use of the same turbocharged engine as last time, hopefully with more power.

Of course, given how much power the last car had, at a minimum we expect the new motor to make 306 hp and 295 lb-ft. It is possible that Honda decides to go the way of the 2023 Subaru WRX. It’s still class-leading horsepower for a hot hatch, and it would be a bit silly to dump more power where it’s not needed. So far, that strategy seems to be working for Subaru.

Honda changed up the Type R for 2023

A red and white liveried 2023 Honda Civic Type R, set to be unveiled at Tokyo Auto Salon, shot from the front 3/4

We do, however, know that Honda has made a host of other changes to the Type R. Namely, in the looks and aero department. Honda has revised the look and aero package to be more subtle (if only slightly) and more efficient. We also suspect the new front end will provide some cooling benefits, a traditional weak point of the model. As for the rest, well, we’re going to have to wait for Tokyo Auto Salon to see anything more than what you’re looking at right now.

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