The teaser campaign for the 2023 Honda Civic Type R seems like it will never end, but we’re entering the homestretch as the model arrived stateside over the holiday weekend.

Shown in prototype form, the highly anticipated hatch made a few hot laps around the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course and also served as the lead vehicle at the start of the Honda Indy 200 on Sunday.

Unfortunately, there isn’t much to say as Honda has been teasing the model for months and we’ve seen countless prototypes over the past year. That being said, the redesigned model looks less aggressive than its over-the-top predecessor as it follows in the footsteps of the latest Civic Hatchback.

Also Watch: 2023 Honda Civic Type R Sets New FWD Lap Record At Suzuka

However, the Civic Type R is distinguished by a sportier front bumper, which features unique intakes as well as special mesh inserts. Designers also installed aerodynamic side skirts, a prominent rear wing, and a center-mounted triple exhaust.

Honda is staying tight-lipped on specifics, but billed the model as the “pinnacle of Honda factory performance.” The company went on to say the car was “engineered from the ground up to deliver thrilling performance on the road and the racetrack.”

The 2023 Civic Type R will go on sale later this year and it promises to be the “best performing Civic Type R ever.” While that remains to be seen, the car is expected to be powered by an upgraded turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. It produced 306 hp (228 kW / 310 PS) and 295 lb-ft (400 Nm) of torque in the outgoing model, and there’s little doubt the redesigned car will be more powerful.

2023 Honda Civic Type R Prototype Tackles Mid-Ohio, Production Model Arrives Later This Year
2023 Honda Civic Type R Prototype Tackles Mid-Ohio, Production Model Arrives Later This Year
2023 Honda Civic Type R Prototype Tackles Mid-Ohio, Production Model Arrives Later This Year
2023 Honda Civic Type R Prototype Tackles Mid-Ohio, Production Model Arrives Later This Year
2023 Honda Civic Type R Prototype Tackles Mid-Ohio, Production Model Arrives Later This Year
2023 Honda Civic Type R Prototype Tackles Mid-Ohio, Production Model Arrives Later This Year
2023 Honda Civic Type R Prototype Tackles Mid-Ohio, Production Model Arrives Later This Year
2023 Honda Civic Type R Prototype Tackles Mid-Ohio, Production Model Arrives Later This Year
2023 Honda Civic Type R Prototype Tackles Mid-Ohio, Production Model Arrives Later This Year
2023 Honda Civic Type R Prototype Tackles Mid-Ohio, Production Model Arrives Later This Year
2023 Honda Civic Type R Prototype Tackles Mid-Ohio, Production Model Arrives Later This Year
2023 Honda Civic Type R Prototype Tackles Mid-Ohio, Production Model Arrives Later This Year
2023 Honda Civic Type R Prototype Tackles Mid-Ohio, Production Model Arrives Later This Year
2023 Honda Civic Type R Prototype Tackles Mid-Ohio, Production Model Arrives Later This Year