As the proliferation of knockoff red H-badges on eBay will confirm, the Civic Type R is definitely a highly desirable model. So much so, it was recently confirmed that the top-shelf hatchback->ke304 has completely sold out in the U.K. until February, with dealers already placing orders for some 800 units.

That’s the news coming from the British publication Autocar, which quotes Honda’s->ke34 U.K. boss Philip Crossman as saying the new 2016 Honda Civic Type R “...has already exceeded all our expectations."

Crossman said that the company was previously aware of the car’s large and rabid fan base, but that the interest the new model has generated thus far has been “phenomenal.” He went on to add that the Type R has simply dominated Honda U.K.’s thinking in the past few months, and that it has proven integral to building brand interest and raising visibility.

The first units started arriving in the U.K. just last month.

Meanwhile, on this side of the pond, Honda announced at the New York Auto Show->ke226 it would (finally) offer the Type R to American customers as part of the next-generation Civic->ke236 lineup. Unfortunately, that means we won’t get our hands on the existing 306-horsepower, 168-mph rocket ship currently being enjoyed in Europe, but hey, at least it’s something to look forward to. 

Continue reading for the full story.

Why it matters

With the Type R enjoying a good deal of success in the U.K., things are looking good for hot-hatch lovers of all stripes. So much interest in a car like this means that not only will Honda feel inclined to expedite its arrival stateside, but it also encourages other automakers to capitalize with support for possible rival vehicles.

There’s a good deal of hot-hatch goodness going around these days. The new 2016 Ford Focus RS comes to mind, as does the 2016 VW Golf R. Most importantly, those of us residing in the U.S. will finally get a taste of the action – no longer will we be forced to sit on the sidelines while Europe has all the fun.

Personally, I can’t wait for the comparison tests. How about pitting the Civic Type R against the 2016 Ford Mustang GT on both public roads and the track? I could see the Mustang->ke428 taking the win in a drag race and providing higher levels of comfort, whereas the Civic would clean up on the twisty bits and would offer more practicality.

Chris Harris, I’m talking to you. Make it happen.  

2016 Honda Civic Type R

The Civic Type R is currently the fastest and most powerful FWD hot-hatch in existence. Spinning the front wheels is a turbocharged and VTEC-enabled 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, which routes through a manual six-speed transmission for a sub-6-second 0-to-60 time. With so much muscle going through just the front tires, torque steer could be an issue, so Honda outfitted the Type R with a Dual Axis Strut suspension system that reportedly reduces torque steer by up to 50 percent. On the outside, you’ll find big aero that’s both attention grabbing and functional. The package has already proven its worth on the track, posting a record-setting 7:50 lap time around the Nurburgring.->ke999

Read our full review here.