Honda has released a teaser sketch of the Civic hatchback concept. The prototype will preview the exterior design of the next-generation Civic and will be showcased at the Geneva Motor Show next month.

The concept bears resemblance to the Civic sedan that is already on sale in the US. While the concept has the same tail-light design, its central twin exhausts and revised roofline suggest the Geneva show car will have a sportier look.

The new five-door Civic will launch early next year and will be built at Honda’s Swindon plant. Honda has not released any further details, but the mainstream engine for this Civic is expected to be the new 1.5-litre petrol turbo unit that powers the Civic in the US. The car is also expected to get a new 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo petrol engine which produces 127bhp and 20.46kgm. Honda’s current 1.6-litre diesel engine will also likely be fitted in the new Civic.

The new platform for the global Civic has already been introduced in the 2016 Civic for the US market. According to reports, the car will get an independent rear suspension mounted on a separate sub-frame instead of the simple torsion beam. Reports also claim that the platform is 25 percent stiffer than that of the previous-generation Civic.