(February 1, 2016) The British-built Honda Civic Type R has roared into contention to be crowned World Performance Car of the Year (WCOTY) after reaching the final five in a competition judged by 73 leading motoring writers from across the globe.

The accolade marks the first time that a Honda has made it into the final, and the latest in a line of accolades for Honda’s "race car for the road" on the back of scooping the Scottish Car of the Year award in November, and securing its first motorsport success with the drivers and constructors titles in the 2015 British Touring Car Championship.

The newest version of the Type R will find its way into the U.S. later this year as part of the all-new 2016 lineup.

Billed as a "race car for the road," the all-new British built Honda Civic Type R is powered by the most extreme and high-performing Type R engine ever built. The direct-injected turbocharged 2.0 liter VTEC TURBO gas engine delivers power, torque and performance figures unmatched in the front-wheel drive hot hatch segment. Peak power output is 305 horsepower at 6,500 rpm, and peak torque is 295 pound-feet of torque at 2,500 rpm — both higher than for any previous Honda Civic Type R model.

Honda says that news of the Civic Type R’s success on the global stage is also a further huge boost and vote of confidence for the dedicated workforce at Honda’s flagship car manufacturing facility, Honda of the UK Manufacturing (HUM), in Swindon.

Mike Rutherford, World Car awards director and vice-chairman said: "With the comparatively affordable and accessible Civic Type R, Honda has taken on all of the specialist performance car manufacturers - and, on this occasion, beaten the majority of them at their own game by qualifying as a World Car Awards finalist. The company is now one of only five firms in the running for the coveted World Performance Car title."

The World Car of the Year jury is composed of 73 motoring writers from across 23 countries and regions globally. For cars to be considered they must be sold in at least five countries globally, on at least two continents. The first award was announced in 2004, with the performance car category added in 2006. with the winner set to be announced at the New York Auto Show on March 24.