Well, Honda, we must admit, you have our attention with the new production-intent Civic Type R, seen here in official photos that were released just before the concept rolls down the Geneva Motor Show floors on Tuesday. You also have us wondering why you’re letting Ford take over the hot hatch segment with the Focus ST by not sending the Civic Type R over to North America, but that’s another story…

In Europe, the production version of the thinly veiled concept will go on sale in 2015 offering Honda’s new 2.0-liter turbocharged VTEC inline four (and EURO6 compliant) engine with an output of “at least 280PS”, which suggests the Japanese unit may very well flirt with the 300hp-mark.

And just to enhance that spine tingling sensation that some of you may be feeling right now, Honda reaffirmed its commitment for the new Civic Type R to become the fastest front-wheel-drive vehicle to lap the Nürburgring.

We’ll remind you that Seat just toppled Renault and its Megane RS Trophy (8:07.97) from first place as the record holder in the production FWD car category with the new 280PS Leon Cupra that lapped the ‘Ring in an amazing 7:58.44.

To do so, the new Civic Type R won’t be your ordinary mainstream hot hatch, but according to Honda, “a racing car for the road, rather than a high performance version of a road car”, with the five-door model featuring an extreme look inspired from the racing iterations of the Civic.

“Many of the styling features offer real function, rather than just aesthetics,” says Honda, adding that, “the need to reduce drag, add down-force, provide cooling and achieve optimum airflow, were key considerations for the design team.”

It sits lower and has a wider body than the regular hatch with swollen wheel arches housing 20-inch alloys in beefy performance tires. One of the most impressive aspects of the body kit is the massive rear wing that incorporated the LED taillights. You can find a number of vents on the Type R’s body, including the redesigned hood, while the car also adopts different headlights with integrated LED daytime running lights and sharp horizontal fog lights.

By John Halas

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