Just when when you thought the Honda Civic Type R was dead, its back, and this time it means business thanks to a new kick-ass turbo charged engine. The Civic Type R, says Honda, will become the most extreme yet. If you don’t know, Honda’s Type R is what AMG is to Mercedes or what M series is to BMW, high performance street legal thugs. Gone is the Type R’s normally aspirated i-VTEC and in its place is a 2.0-litre i-VTEC turbo engine that muscles out 280bhp and 400Nm of torque and revs up to 7,000 rpm. Suehiro Hasshi, Large Project Leader for the Civic Type R at Honda R&D, explains: “Honda has had four Type R model derivatives – the Civic, Integra, Accord and NSX. The engine in this new Honda Civic Type R is unrivalled against all of them in terms of raw power, torque and engine response.” Honda’s engineers have developed a new four point adaptive damper system that they claim will empower the Civic Type R with demonic ride, handling and cornering abilities. The new Type R will feature a steering mounted +R button which is like being given a slap in the face by a hungry polar bear. The +R button increases engine torque and responsiveness to deliver focused power. Hasshi San explain’s: “In default standard mode, the Civic Type R is exceptionally agile, an everyday sports car with an enjoyable and fluid acceleration. The ‘+R’ button brings out a more dynamic and athletic car for the driver, sure to set pulses racing. The difference in character is immense. The ‘+R’ mode is extreme; the car is ideal for the track and will be appreciated by the genuine sports-driving enthusiast.” Honda have also worked to minimise the Type R’s torque steer by using a clever mechanical solution, all of this will be mated to a six-speed manual transmission. The Civic Type R will debut at this weeks Paris Motorshow (2nd October 2014) and is set to go on sale in the UK by mid 2015 possibly in time for the new 2015 Formula One season where Honda is sure to maximise the publicity. More details will be released at the Paris Motorshow.