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Enthusiasts have been calling for turbocharged Hondas for over a decade and finally the Japanese automaker has decided to listen. But there is a catch.

Officially revealed at the Paris Motor Show today, the company’s new HR-412E powerplant is a turbocharged 1.6-liter 4-cylinder motor that also features direct injection. It’s not a production engine, however, and is instead designed specifically for the new Civic World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) race car.

It is, however, a strong indication of the direction Honda intends to take with the upcoming Civic Type R, which only this week Honda CEO Takanobu Ito confirmed will go into production specifically for the European market (another catch).

In a release Honda says the future Civic Type R will make use of the “technologies developed through Honda’s participation in the World Touring Car Championships (WTCC).” Reading between the lines, it’s very likely that means a turbocharged direct-injection powerplant.

In addition, Honda says the new Type R will, “aim to set new standards in performance and handling,” with a goal of being the fastest front-drive car on the Nurburgring.

In summary, a turbocharged Honda engine might make it into the new Civic Type R, which isn’t planned for the US (though there’s still the possibility), and Honda’s enthusiast fan base will have to be patient too, with the car not expected until 2015.

Browse the galleries of the new turbocharged engine and Civic race car below.