For those of you who haven't heard of it before, the Honda Civic Type R is the highest-performance variant of the compact car. Made exclusively in Japan, and sold throughout Asia and Europe, it has garnered a reputation for feisty speed, smooth aesthetics, and on-a-dime handling. In other words, it's near automotive perfection.

So why haven't we seen it here in the United States? We have; in a way. The Honda Civic Type R was officially discontinued in 2010 to make way for its spiritual successor, the Honda CR-Z. Upon visiting the official website for the sport compact, an image with the vehicle's silhouette reads, "Tired soul now rests. Spirit echoes throughout our minds. Inspires us to dream."¹ Below it, there is a link to learn more about the company's new philosophy for sporty, energized driving that's found in the CR-Z.

Of course, while the Honda CR-Z is an amazing car, there are many purists out there who miss the iconic Civic Type R. And believe us when we say that Honda hears them loud and clear. Case in point? Honda was recently spotted testing what looks to be a next-generation version of the at the Nürburgring in Germany.

The Civic in question was caught sporting a more prominent rear wing, larger exhaust outlets, and more pronounced front-end grille; all the signature marks of the Civic Type R.

Still, Honda hasn't confirmed if the new Type R will come to the U.S. or even that they're working on one, and that's why we invite you to stay tuned for more Honda news. There's sure to be more to come on this exciting new model, and everyone at Hillside Honda, located at 139-07 Hillside Ave, Jamaica, NY, is dedicated to keeping you informed.

Source: ¹http://civictyper.honda.com.au/default.aspx