GENEVA MOTOR SHOW: 2015 Civic Type R

Honda has unveiled its most-anticipated Type R model in years, the Honda Civic Type R, a turbocharged hot hatch with scorching performance that Honda reckons will make it the front wheel drive king of the Nurburgring.

Powered by Honda's first implementation of a new-generation of turbocharged, direct-injection petrol engines, the Civic Type R will rip from 0-100km/h in just 5.7 seconds thanks to its screaming 228kW output – three tenths faster than its Renault Megane RS arch-rival.

So it's more powerful than – and can claim bragging rights over – the current hot hatch king, the 201kW Renault Megane RS 275 Trophy, plus the 206kW Volkswagen Golf R and even the 221kW Subaru WRX STI.

But there's a dark cloud hanging over Honda's hottest ever hatchback, after a source at Honda Australia indicated to motoring.com.au that the car is no certainty for Australia.

This new information is backed by recent comments made by Honda Australia's MD, Stephen Collins, in early February 2015, when he said the Civic Type R is at least two years away.

"We're still trying to confirm exactly when that [Civic Type R arrival] will be, but it's a matter of getting the business case finalised."

The Honda boss confessed that Australia was not part of the initial consideration set for the red hot hatch, which is targeting European markets.

Honda has insisted from the outset the Civic Type R will set a new FWD lap record at the Nurburgring, a 20km-plus road circuit in Germany dubbed 'The Green Hell', and the wild Civic's engine sounds capable of doing so – on paper at least.

A maximum 228kW hits the skids at 6500rpm, with a redline of 7000rpm, meaning it's very much a rev-happy four-pot screamer, while peak torque of 400Nm arrives at 2500rpm. This will provide the car a large, flexible powerband to play with, and thanks to the swoopy aero body work the car has a claimed top speed of 270km/h, or 167mph.

By comparison the Renault RS 275 Trophy has a 255km/h top speed, and Honda says its new four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine "delivers power, torque and performance figures unmatched in the front-wheel drive hot hatch segment".

Engine output finds its way to the front wheels via a six-speed manual transmission – there's no sign of an auto at this stage.

Showing off an aggressive new look the likes of which has never been seen on a Honda production car before, the new Civic Type R is not too dissimilar to the striking concept version that was previously shopped around international motor shows.

Boasting dramatic body work designed to improve aerodynamics and high speed stability – particularly important on the Nurburgring – the Honda hot hatch features a vast front bumper with a low front splitter and large air dams, designed to keep the front wheels pinned to the road.

It also gets small vents above the front wheel arches, which have been pumped to accommodate a slightly wider track. Side skirts match front and rear body work, with the rear end featuring a massive rear wing and a lower diffuser that integrates a quartet of exhaust pipes.

Throw in careful application of red pin striping on the wheels and lower sections of the front and rear bumpers and there's no mistaking the Honda Civic Type R's intent.

Honda has employed a number of tricks to ensure the chassis matches its hot hatch's blistering performance, including adaptive damping, big 350mm front disc brakes with four-piston Brembo calipers and dual-axis strut front suspension that is designed to subdue torque steer.

When drivers initiate the '+R' mode, the vehicle's adjustable powertrain and chassis systems conspire to improve response, which delivers "an even more intense driving experience, ideal for the track and sure to be appreciated by the genuine sports-driving enthusiast" says Honda. The technical adjustments in +R mode include improved engine response, reduced power steering assistance, and 30 per cent firmer damper settings.

Footwear comprises 19-inch alloy rims shod with beefy 235/35 R-rated tyres "that were developed specially for the Type R". Strangely there's no mention of tyre brand, and even the images have been stripped of identification.

Honda spent plenty of time ensuring the interior has the sporty ambience as the dramatic exterior, with heavily bolstered bucket seats and a tasteful combination of black and red colour. It also gets a trademark Type R gear knob made of machined aluminium.

Honda Australia says it's working to import the Honda Civic Type R into Australia in about two years time, either late 2016 or early 2017. Pricing is yet to be confirmed but expect somewhere around the $50K mark – if it makes it here.