Here it is, ladies and gentlemen. The long-awaited, U.S.-bound Honda Civic Type R has finally arrived. Okay, so this is a prototype version if we’re going to be technical about it. But, by and large, we can at least expect the production Type R to look a lot like this prototype, albeit with some tweaks here and there and the fact that the production model will come in hot hatchback form.

There’s obviously plenty to pore through here but the Civic Type R prototype’s striking appearance takes precedence over anything else. It’s still largely based on the 2017 Honda Civic, which isn’t a surprise. But Honda also delivered on its promise in making the new Civic Type R the sportiest and most aggressive iteration of the Civic that it’s ever made to the point that it has a little bit of the Subaru WRX STI feel to it. The hood scoop is less pronounced, but it’s still noticeable on the Type R. The fenders are enormous, as are the air vents.

The smoked LED headlights are nice touches and the wheel arches are flared, which isn’t at all a surprise given Honda’s goal of driving the car’s sportiness to another level. And let’s not forget those carbon fiber skirts, the three exhaust outlets, and that massive fixed rear spoiler. All these elements combine to make a car that’s definitely going to get its share of attention when it arrives in the U.S. in the early part of 2017.

Is it safe to say that the hype and anticipation surrounding the Honda Civic Type R’s entry into the US market is going to be at a fever pitch after the prototype’s official debut at the Paris Motor Show? To that question, my answer is a resounding yes!.

Continue after the jump to read the full story.

Honda outdid itself this time

Is there really anything else to say than “wow?” My eyes have been fixated on the car since Honda dropped a teaser video earlier today, and I still can’t get my attention away from it.

I do know that this prototype isn’t the exact model we’ll see come to the U.S., but my expectations are high that Honda’s not going to change too much from it once it gets the resoundingly positive reception I expect it to get when at the Paris Motor Show. Maybe it’ll tone down the sportiness and reconfigure the design to accommodate the hatchback version, but for the most part, I’d be a little disappointed if we see a completely different looking production Civic Type R from the one Honda’s unveiling at the show.

As far as the powertrain is concerned, I fully expect Honda to use a modified version of the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that’s being used by the current Civic Type R. The output should be higher though, possibly around the vicinity of 330 to 340 horsepower to go with torque numbers north of 300 pound-feet.

Read our full review on the Honda Civic Type R here.