After sadly missing out on the fiery 2015 Honda Civic Type R, the U.S. will soon receive the next-generation model, due to launch next year.

Although the model has only been revealed in ‘Prototype’ guise so far, a tester was recently spied on the streets of California near Honda’s American headquarters without any camouflage, looking ready for the production line.

As with the previous Type R, this new model adopts aggressive and bold styling which makes even the Ford Focus RS look restrained. Of course, it will divide opinion and looks set to be a love-it or hate-it car.

Beyond its looks, Honda is determined to make the Civic Type R the best handling front-wheel drive vehicle on the market. Although power outputs have yet to be confirmed, the turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder VTEC engine is tipped to offer up around 340 hp funneled through a six-speed manual transmission.

Despite the Focus RS successfully shifting from front-wheel drive to all-wheel drive, the Japanese marque is remaining defiant of sending power through the fronts alone. Will it pay off? Only time will tell.

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