SPY PICS: Hotter Honda Civic Type R

The all-singing, all-dancing Honda Civic Type R set scorching pace in the hot hatch segment after breaking lap records at the Nurburgring and Silverstone circuits – and almost winning Australia’s Best Driver’s Car 2018.

But how will it defend its title with newer, more advanced rivals lining up to have a crack?

With a more powerful version.

Honda has made no secret of its plans to offer revised and even special edition Civic Type R models throughout its life cycle, not unlike the Ford Focus RS Limited Edition and Volkswagen Golf R Wolfsburg Edition.

Although the Japanese company is keeping mum on details, there’s a chance this mildly updated version of the Honda Civic Type R could more than just the model-year 2019 update, possibly hiding a more potent version of its turbo V-TEC engine. Why not throw in some chassis tweaks while we're speculating?

Spotted testing ­­in Germany heading to the Nurburgring for some hot laps, the car is wearing a modicum of camo, with a small wrap front and rear. Eagle-eyed readers will spot the changes: Slightly different air intakes at the front.

Currently the 2018 Honda Civic Type R runs a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol V-TEC four-cylinder engine that belts out 228kW at 6500rpm and 400Nm at 2500-4500rpm, which combines with dual-axis strut suspension at the front end, all of which conspires to deliver one of the sharpest front-drive vehicles ever made.

If this camouflaged model does indeed contain a few extra herbs and spices and stiffer suspension (the Brembo brakes appear unchanged) it would help cement the cars place at the top of the hot hatch tree.

French arch-rival, Renault Megane RS, has offered several up-spec versions in the past, such as the hard-core track-attack Trophy-R model, which delivered more power, sharper handling and several interior upgrades – most notably Recaro bucket seats.

It’s virtually impossible to see inside the Civic Type R and it's difficult to tell if any changes to the interior are on the cards.

Does the Honda Civic Type R need to defend the hot hatch throne or can it continue as is? Or should Honda just build the Civic Type R ute and be done? Have your say in the comments section below.