Honda's red-hot Civic

HONDA'S all-new three-door Civic line-up - spearheaded by a hot Type R version - makes its world debut at this week's Geneva motor show.

The newcomer is tipped to go on sale in Europe later this year, but a question mark hangs over its Australian prospects.

Honda Australia planning and public relations manager Ron Hammerton ruled out the low-spec versions but conceded the Type R was on the wish list.

"We have no plans for the three-door but we would like to bring in the Type R if we can get it for a half-decent sum of money - it's a bloody weapon," he said.

Mr Hammerton said the fact the three-door Civic would be built in the UK counted against it.

"We're on the back foot from the start because of currency, but times change and things can happen,"he said.

"At this stage we're on the sad side of 50/50." Honda claims the Type R, which uses new i-VTEC technology, can accelerate from standstill to 100km/h in just 6.8 seconds and achieve a top speed of 233km/h.

Drive from the 147kW, 2.0-litre engine is relayed to the front wheels by a new six-speed close-ratio manual transmission.

If Honda Australia were to bring in the Type R, logic suggests it would compete against the likes of the $29,490 Peugeot 206 GTi - but this may prove to be a tall order given that it is likely to cost around 20,000 pounds in the UK.

Like its sedan and five-door hatchback siblings, the three-door Civic features a flat floor and spacious interior within compact dimensions.

Despite cutting 45mm off the overall length and 50mm from the wheelbase, the Civic three-door has similar or improved interior dimensions to the model it replaces.

It shares the same short nose design - made possible with tidy packaging of the engine, compact front suspension and high-mounted steering gearbox - as its four and five-door counterparts.

The Type R Civic is more aggressively styled than its lesser siblings, gaining a mesh-type front grille, 15mm lower ride height and range of spoilers.

It also gains race-style bucket seats, white instrument faces, a titanium effect gear knob and embroidered Type R logo on the headrest.

Honda has aimed to give the three-door a sporty interior, with dash-mounted gearshift, three-spoke steering wheel and supportive bucket seats.

Firmer dampers and springs, alloy wheels with 205/45 R17 tyres and larger front disc brakes give the Type R race-style performance.