Honda UK retailers have been urged not to take "early orders" for its new Civic Type R hot hatch as limited supplies risk disappointment among potential customers.

Launched at Thruxton race circuit this week, the new £46,995 Type R is its most powerful to date – delivering 329PS and 420Nm of torque to accelerate to 62mph in 5.4 seconds – but will not be speeding out of showrooms in high volumes.

The Japanese brand is anticipating “modest” registrations growth as it bolsters its range with five new model launches this year, but its high-performance flagship will not prove a big contributor, AM was told.

Product and business planning section manager at Honda Motor Europe, Andrew Winfield, said: “New Type R availability will be very different to some of its predecessors and will be recorded in the hundreds rather than the thousands. That’s down to supply issues but also very much as a result of CAFE regulations.

“Although it has yet to be confirmed we expect that, by 2024, 22% of our new car sales will have to be electric vehicles (EV) as a result of UK Government mandates.”