Honda has officially opened its order books for the new Civic Type R hot hatch – with prices starting from £46,995.

The latest iteration of the Japanese carmaker’s performance flagship is its most powerful to date, delivering 320PS, yet claims to offer the same high levels of comfort, practicality, and refinement as the all-new 11th-generation Civic recently reviewed by AM.

Order books open today (November 30), with first deliveries of the car expected to commence in January, Honda said.

The brand’s representative PCP finance deal for the new Type R features £499 per month payments on a 8.9% APR agreement based on a 37-month term with a total amount payable of £55,256.

Honda said: “The latest generation is the fastest and most capable Civic Type R ever, which builds on the capabilities of the previous model, and the exceptional platform of the all-new standard Civic.

“Only one engine option is available in the Type R, the strongest, most powerful VTEC Turbo ever produced by Honda.”

Only the front doors and rear tailgate are retained from the previous generation of Civic Type R.

Among the new features are an updated rear spoiler, lightweight 19-inch matt black alloy wheels and bespoke compound Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres.

Inside, the Civic Type R’s cabin features Honda’s classic Type R crimson red trim and a fully customisable digital instrument binnacle.

For the first time the Type R also serves up a range of pre-defined drive modes.

Among these is a fully programmable ‘Individual Mode’ which offers drivers the autonomy to tailor suspension, throttle response, steering, display read out, engine noise and more.

Honda LogR, meanwhile, offers the driver a view of the G-forces, tyre forces, as well as vital temperatures and pressures being generated by the car.