Honda->ke34 has announced that the first batch of production 2016 Honda Civic Type Rs is arriving hot off the metal press, as hundreds of production and management staff from Honda’s European car manufacturing facility in Swindon, England, joined a slew of invited guests to greet the new cars as they emerged from the assembly line. 

The first models from the Honda of the U.K. Manufacturing (HUM) plant were received amid a good deal of fanfare, as lights and music sent them on their way to various European dealerships. HUM’s Managing Director, Soichiro Takizawa, thanked the staff members for their hard work in creating the British-built Civic Type R.

Back in March, it was announced that HUM would be the global production hub for the highly anticipated hot-hatch, continuing a history that has seen Civics->ke236 roll out from the U.K. plant for over two decades. 

“The new Civic Type R is an imperative model for Honda, representing our racing spirit and demonstrating our commitment to innovation and passion,” Takizawa said, attributing the plant’s hub designation to its high degree of standards. 

To support the new production, Honda set aside £200 million ($312 million) for the plant, bringing total investment to £2.2 billion ($3.43 billion) since 1985.

For now, the new Civic Type R will be available exclusively to European customers. However, it was recently announced at the New York Auto Show->ke226 that that the iconic hot-hatch->ke304 will finally see its way to American shores in the future, with an expected arrival sometime in the next two to three years.

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Why it matters

Currently, the Type R is proving so popular it’s completely sold out in the U.K., with dealers already putting in orders for some 800 units, completely exceeding Honda’s expectations. Honda says it will be sold out until February. 

All told, British hot-hatch lovers are clamoring to get their hands on the new model, and it’s expected that the same will be true for American enthusiasts when the Type R finally hits the United States. 

Interestingly, the Civic’s new turbocharged 2.0-liter engine is shipped to the U.K. by way of the Midwest, with assembly of the high-strung powerplant taking place in Honda’s plant in Anna, Ohio.

While the engine is made here, the HUM plant is still expected to be the place where the future Type R will be assembled for export. Meanwhile, Honda’s plants in Greensburg, Indiana, and Alliston, Ontario, build the rest of the Civics for North American consumption. 

Perhaps that’ll change when the Type R nears arrival in the U.S. The manufacturing plant in Ohio is also the place where Honda builds the 2016 Acura NSX, so the capability is there. If we see the automaker make moves with additional U.S. investment, then it’s possible something could be afoot. 

2016 Honda Civic Type R

Taking top honors as the fastest and most powerful FWD hot hatchback in existence, the Civic Type R is a boy racer’s dream, with an aggressive exterior, flashy interior, and enough speed to demolish all rivals. Thanks to 306 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, the Civic Type R can hit 60 mph in 5.7 seconds and rage onto a class-leading 167 mph. The suspension uses a trick front setup to reduce torque steer, while the driver can alter settings from the cockpit. Big brakes, big wheels, and an affordable price complete the package.

Read our full review here.