THE long-awaited, next-gen Honda Civic Hatch has finally surfaced in Geneva, wearing massive wheels, fancy lights, and a trick paintjob to signify that this is just a concept car for now.

Australia-bound versions, including the as-yet unseen Type R hot hatch, are still at least a full year away, according to Honda Australia boss Stephen Collins, who told Wheels a few weeks ago that for the first time we’ll be getting the striking five-door hatch from Thailand.

“We’ll be getting the hatch from the same plant as the new sedan,” Collins revealed. “That will certainly help with making the car more competitive.”

Honda -Civic -Hatch -front

Collins has also confirmed that Australia will take the Golf GTI-bothering Honda Civic Type R after that model launches in Europe, sometime after April 2017.

“We have a three-phase launch plan in Australia that will put Civic back on the shopping list of small car buyers,” he said.

“The all-new sedan will arrive mid this year and then Hatch will follow, and then Type R. We aren’t able to confirm exact timing for the Hatch or Type R as yet, but these variants will play an important role in the success of this model.”

Honda -Civic -hatch -rear -side

Growing in most dimensions, the Japanese small-car stalwart abandons its immediate predecessors’ Jazz-based platform for Honda’s all-new Earth Dreams small-car architecture, bringing benefits in space and packaging, as well as lightness, strength, and stance.

In Euro concept car spec, the 2017 Civic Hatch is a sizeable 130mm longer than the existing version, as well as 30mm wider and 20mm lower, improving the proportions dramatically.

Honda -Civic -Concept -front -side

Note that their distinctive hidden rear door handles make way for more conventional items. Along with a longer boot area and larger back window that at last addresses the rear vision issues afflicting the existing versions, it highlights a newfound maturity for the 44 year-old nameplate.

In Euro format, the engine choices are likely to be 1.0-litre three-cylinder and 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol units, with the Type R of course gaining a 2.0-litre powerplant. A 1.6-litre turbo-diesel also in the mix. Suspension is likely to mirror the sedan’s MacPherson strut front/multi-link rear arrangement.

Project leader Daisuke Tsutamori calls it “a marriage of distinctive and sporty design, rewarding driving dynamics and versatile practicality.”