Lotus' withdrawal from the Paris Motor Show->ke227 was disappointing, to say the least, but all's not lost, especially if you're the optimistic type.

Despite the lack of Lotus' presence, we now know that one automaker will be making an official announcement regarding the state of one of its own cars in Paris. We're talking, of course, about Honda->ke34 and the 2013 Civic Type-R.

Spy photos of the 2013 Civic Type-R around the Nurburgring have been taken in the past months, but it's only now that information has come from Honda insiders, who told Autocar of the Civic Type-R's confirmation notice in Paris and subsequent preview at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show->ke228. These same insiders didn't divulge any further details surrounding the car, which of course brings back speculation on what kind of engine the new Civic Type-R will carry under its hood.

We've made our guesses that the Civic Type-R could carry an output of about 220-230 horsepower, alluding to our opinion that the car's track-oriented focus will most likely lead to Honda giving full attention to the car's chassis, handling, and engine specs.

None of this is confirmed, but we're nevertheless ecstatic to find out that the 2013 Civic Type-R will be officially announced at the Paris Motor Show with the preview set to take place at Geneva next year.

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