Over 500 people have already placed orders for the new Civic Type R – more than 10% of Honda’s annual sales target for the hot hatch.

Dealers have been busy taking deposits since the start of January. Deliveries to early order customers will start from the official on sale date of March 1.

The Civic Type R costs £17,600 in standard trim, with the GT model priced at £18,600. Honda hopes to sell 5,000 of the Swindon-built cars during 2007.