Even with COVID-19 and the digital world looking to wipe live, brick-and-mortar auto shows from existence, Japan is giving these ancient relics at least one last shot. The Tokyo Auto Salon has produced several interesting cars in 2022, although most will never see the light of day ever again. Honda, however, showed off the new Civic Type R in the flesh, albeit covered in camouflage. The Japanese marque also released a new teaser video to get even more hype for the hottest of hatchbacks.

So what's in this video?

The roughly 80-second clip shows a camouflaged Type R blitzing about the Suzuka Circuit in Japan before heading back to the pits for some tweaks and small adjustments from engineers before heading back out for more testing.

Honda's PR department wants us to think it is in constant development and being tested by only the absolute best-racing drivers. Who knows how accurate that really is, but it does appear as though this new Type R will not just be a better-looking version of the current one.

What we can expect from the new Type R

Honda has yet to give us any precise details about the next-gen Type R. It will likely have a version of the same engine that is in the current Type R, a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder Turbo making well over 300 horsepower. The current Type R makes 306 horsepower so expect the new one to crank out about 325.

Honda has technically not confirmed this yet, but a glorious 6-speed manual gearbox is all but certain. A dual-clutch automatic would be a likely offering since all its rivals offer an automatic as well. If an automatic is offered, it will probably come from the Acura NSX or TLX. So, unless they buy a dual-clutch 'box from another manufacturer, a stick will probably be the only option.

When Honda officially releases the new model later this year, we will know for sure, but expect the new Type-R to have slightly better acceleration, top speed, cornering grip, Nurburgring time, etc. than the current Type R.

The next Type R could be the new hot-hatch daddy, with more power than the Hyundai Veloster N and probably more excitement while also costing less than the Volkswagen Golf R.