Tag Archives: Honda

NEW CARS

2027 Honda Civic Type R Gets Sharper Looks, Better Cooling and More Technology

The 2027 Honda Civic Type R arrives with a sharper face, improved cooling, revised chassis tuning and a more sophisticated interior, while preserving the feature that has made Honda’s hottest Civic such a favorite among driving enthusiasts: a six-speed manual transmission.

Celebrating 30 years of the Civic Type R, the refreshed 2027 model builds on six generations of Honda performance engineering. With 315 horsepower, aggressive aerodynamics and a driver-focused chassis, the Civic Type R remains the most powerful Honda production vehicle ever sold in the United States.

The updated 2027 Honda Civic Type R is beginning to arrive at Honda dealerships in the U.S., with a starting Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price of $48,695.

2027 Honda Civic Type R: Sharper Design, Better Performance

Honda has resisted the temptation to radically reinvent the Civic Type R. Instead, the 2027 model receives a series of carefully targeted upgrades designed to make an already capable hot hatch even more effective on the road and racetrack.

The most obvious change is at the front. The redesigned front fascia features a deeper front splitter and a larger grille opening, giving the Type R a more aggressive appearance while serving a functional purpose.

Honda has also improved airflow through the front of the vehicle. Reduced turbulence increases airflow velocity and improves engine cooling, an important upgrade for sustained performance during demanding track sessions.

The changes underline the philosophy behind the Civic Type R: aerodynamic styling should serve a purpose rather than simply provide visual drama.

315-HP Turbocharged Engine and Six-Speed Manual Transmission

Power continues to come from Honda’s turbocharged 2.0-liter K20C four-cylinder engine, producing 315 horsepower.

The engine remains manufactured at Honda’s Anna Engine Plant in Ohio using both domestic and globally sourced components.

Perhaps more important to enthusiasts, the Civic Type R remains exclusively available with a manual transmission. At a time when dual-clutch and automatic transmissions dominate the performance-car market, Honda continues to offer the Type R with a traditional six-speed manual gearbox.

That makes the Civic Type R one of the few modern high-performance cars that puts the driver completely in charge of the gear changes.

Honda has also revised the Rev Match system for 2027. The system now delivers faster engine response, helping produce smoother and more precise downshifts.

Improved Suspension and Brake Feel

The 2027 Honda Civic Type R is not simply a cosmetic update.

Honda has revised the suspension damping in the car’s +R drive mode to improve road-following ability and reduce bouncing and impact harshness. The goal is greater stability and improved handling, particularly when the car is being driven aggressively.

Brake pedal feel has also been addressed. A new yoke spring helps suppress play in the brake-pedal linkage, creating a more direct connection between the driver’s foot and the braking system.

These are relatively small engineering changes, but they matter in a car such as the Civic Type R, where driver feedback is central to the experience.

A More Aggressive Type R Appearance

The revised front-end design gives the 2027 Civic Type R a more purposeful appearance, while the aerodynamic bodywork continues to distinguish it from the standard Civic hatchback.

A new Meteorite Gray Metallic exterior color joins the palette, adding a darker and more understated alternative to the model’s traditionally dramatic colors.

The 2027 Honda Civic Type R is available in four exterior colors:

  • Meteorite Gray Metallic
  • Boost Blue Pearl
  • Sonic Gray Pearl
  • Championship White

Championship White remains particularly significant to Honda enthusiasts, reflecting the brand’s long-running racing heritage and the visual identity associated with Type R models.

The engine cover has also been redesigned. Its appearance draws inspiration from the engines used in earlier generations of Type R models sold in Japan, adding another subtle link between the latest Civic Type R and its heritage.

Heated Sport Seats Bring More Everyday Comfort

While performance remains the priority, Honda has made the 2027 Civic Type R more comfortable to use every day.

For the first time, the front sport seats are heated. Three-level seat-heater controls are positioned within easy reach, making the Type R more practical during cold-weather driving.

The seats continue to use red high-friction suede-like upholstery, but the material now features a revised perforation pattern with distinctive black striping.

The high-friction surface helps hold occupants in place during high-G cornering, while improved breathability in high-contact areas is intended to reduce driver fatigue.

This is an important addition because the Civic Type R has always occupied an unusual position in the performance-car market. It is capable of serious track work, yet it is still expected to function as a practical daily driver.

More Premium and Driver-Focused Interior

Honda has also upgraded the Type R’s cabin with a number of visual and functional improvements.

A new diamond-pattern trim panel with a black surround adds visual interest, while black air-vent knobs and premium Ultrasuede material across the upper instrument panel and front doors give the cabin a more upscale character.

The Ultrasuede covering on the instrument panel has a functional benefit as well. According to Honda, it helps reduce glare and reflections on the windshield, potentially improving visibility during demanding driving conditions.

The aluminum shift knob, interior door handles and center-console trim now receive a darker gray finish. Black climate-control knobs and silver front-door-panel trim further differentiate the updated cabin.

A new auto-dimming rearview mirror is another welcome addition, reducing glare from vehicles approaching from behind during nighttime driving.

Google Built-In and Alexa Join the Type R

Technology has also received a significant upgrade.

The 2027 Civic Type R gains Alexa built-in and, for the first time, Google built-in. The latter includes Google Gemini, Google Maps and Google Play.

Gemini is designed to provide more conversational interactions than traditional voice assistants, maintaining context across multiple exchanges and allowing drivers to interact with the system more naturally.

The goal is to make the technology useful without taking attention away from driving.

Honda has also added two USB-C ports to the center console, positioned above the standard wireless smartphone charger.

For a car designed around analog driving involvement, the addition of modern connectivity creates an interesting contrast: the gearbox and engine remain resolutely mechanical and driver-focused, while the cabin becomes considerably more connected.

Enhanced Honda Sensing Safety Technology

Despite its performance focus, the Civic Type R continues to receive Honda’s full suite of Honda Sensing safety and driver-assistance technologies.

For 2027, the Collision Mitigation Braking System with Pedestrian Detection gains improved visibility of motorcycles and bicycles.

Adaptive Cruise Control receives revised braking and acceleration responses, while the Lane Keeping Assist System gains improved control over road camber and other disturbances for smoother operation.

Another significant addition is Post-Collision Braking, which becomes standard on every 2027 Civic Type R. The system is designed to help reduce the potential damage associated with multiple collisions following an initial impact.

The standard Honda Sensing package includes:

  • Collision Mitigation Braking System
  • Adaptive Cruise Control
  • Lane Keeping Assist System
  • Forward Collision Warning
  • Road Departure Mitigation
  • Lane Departure Warning
  • Blind Spot Information System
  • Cross Traffic Monitor
  • Driver Attention Monitor
  • Traffic Sign Recognition
  • Auto High-Beam Headlights

Honda says more than 10 million vehicles in the United States have been equipped with Honda Sensing since the technology suite was introduced in 2014.

30 Years of Honda Civic Type R

The timing of the refreshed model is significant. Honda is celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Civic Type R in 2026, marking three decades since the performance badge first appeared on a Civic in Japan.

The original Civic Type R debuted as a 1997 model, establishing a formula that has remained remarkably consistent through six generations: a lightweight, front-wheel-drive performance car combining motorsport-inspired engineering with the practicality of a Civic.

The modern Type R has evolved dramatically in terms of power, aerodynamic sophistication and technology, but its fundamental philosophy remains intact.

The 2027 model continues that tradition with a turbocharged engine, sophisticated suspension, aggressive aerodynamics and a manual transmission.

2027 Honda Civic Type R Price

The 2027 Honda Civic Type R starts at $48,695 in the United States.

That price places the Civic Type R firmly in the premium end of the modern hot-hatch segment, but Honda is offering considerably more than outright performance. The latest model combines 315 horsepower and a manual transmission with improved cooling, revised suspension tuning, upgraded brakes, heated sport seats, expanded connectivity and a comprehensive suite of safety technology.

Source: Honda

Uncategorized

2027 Honda Passport TrailSport Raises the Bar for Off-Road Capability

Honda has comprehensively reengineered the suspension of the 2027 Passport TrailSport, adding ground clearance, improving steering response and expanding standard off-road technology. With tougher styling and more capability, the latest TrailSport is designed to make everyday driving and weekend adventures equally rewarding.

The 2027 Honda Passport TrailSport and Passport TrailSport Elite are set to arrive at dealerships later this month, bringing a substantial mechanical upgrade to Honda’s adventure-focused SUV. Rather than relying on taller springs and cosmetic changes, Honda has redesigned much of the suspension and chassis to improve both off-road performance and on-road refinement.

The result is a Passport TrailSport that promises greater confidence on difficult terrain without sacrificing the comfort and usability expected from a modern family SUV.

More Ground Clearance, More Off-Road Capability

The biggest change for the 2027 Honda Passport TrailSport is its revised suspension system. Honda has added 1.38 inches of ground clearance, bringing total clearance to 9.65 inches. The increase improves the SUV’s approach, departure and breakover angles, helping it clear obstacles and negotiate uneven terrain with less risk of underbody contact.

Honda says the updated Passport TrailSport offers more ground clearance than several key competitors, including the Toyota 4Runner TRD Off-Road, Subaru Outback Wilderness and Ford Bronco Sport Badlands Sasquatch.

The additional clearance is only part of the story. Increased suspension articulation and improved wheel travel contribute to the TrailSport’s ability to keep its tires in contact with the ground when tackling ruts, rocks and other challenging surfaces.

Honda describes the 2027 Passport TrailSport and TrailSport Elite as the most off-road-capable SUVs it has ever built.

Nearly 70% of Major Suspension Components Redesigned

Honda’s engineers took a comprehensive approach to the suspension redesign. Nearly 70% of the major suspension components have been redesigned, including the springs, dampers, control arms, stabilizer bars and knuckles.

The front driveshafts and front subframe were also redesigned to accommodate the increased ride height and additional wheel travel. In total, Honda says 28 suspension and related chassis parts are new, redesigned or reengineered for the 2027 Passport TrailSport.

That level of mechanical revision matters. Simply raising an SUV can compromise suspension geometry, ride quality and handling. Honda’s approach is intended to preserve desirable driving characteristics while delivering a meaningful improvement in off-road capability.

The company also says the updated TrailSport benefits from improved steering feel and response, making it more enjoyable to drive on pavement as well as on the trail.

TrailWatch Camera System Now Standard

Off-road visibility is another area where the 2027 Honda Passport TrailSport gains an important upgrade. The TrailWatch camera system is now standard on all Passport TrailSport trims, rather than being reserved for the top TrailSport Elite.

The system provides four camera views:

  • Front
  • Rear
  • Side
  • 360-degree surround view

It also includes tire-placement graphics designed to help drivers judge where the vehicle’s wheels are positioned. That can be particularly useful when navigating blind crests, deep ruts, tight obstacles or the edge of a trail.

For drivers who regularly venture beyond paved roads, the system adds an extra layer of confidence by making areas outside the normal line of sight easier to monitor.

Tougher Styling for the 2027 Passport TrailSport

The mechanical changes are matched by a more aggressive exterior design. Honda’s Los Angeles Design Studio has updated the styling of the Passport TrailSport and TrailSport Elite to emphasize their increased ride height and rugged character.

The 2027 models feature:

  • More pronounced front and rear fender flares
  • A resculpted lower front fascia
  • Amber LED hood scoop lights
  • Amber daytime running lights
  • A more substantial, adventure-focused appearance

The new hood scoop lights complement the Passport’s distinctive amber DRLs, giving the TrailSport a more recognizable visual identity.

Blackout Package Adds a Darker Look

The popular Blackout Package remains available across the TrailSport lineup and now adds new black front and rear fascias. These elements are matched with black 18-inch alloy wheels and black Honda badges.

The package gives the SUV a more understated, aggressive appearance while reinforcing the TrailSport’s rugged design theme.

Honda is also introducing Smoke Blue Pearl as a new exterior color across all trims. The color replaces Obsidian Blue Pearl and previously debuted on the 2026 Honda Pilot.

A More Comfortable Everyday SUV

Although the focus is on off-road capability, Honda has not overlooked daily usability. The 2027 Passport TrailSport now includes a heated steering wheel as standard equipment, a feature previously exclusive to the TrailSport Elite.

Combined with the revised steering response and suspension tuning, the update is intended to make the Passport more comfortable and engaging during everyday driving, commuting and longer road trips.

That balance between trail performance and road manners remains central to the TrailSport concept.

Designed in California, Developed in Ohio

The fourth-generation Honda Passport debuted last year and was designed in California and developed in Ohio at Honda’s Automotive Development Center.

According to Honda, TrailSport models accounted for more than 80% of Passport sales as of June 2026, highlighting the popularity of the rugged-focused versions within the lineup.

Honda will also export the Passport TrailSport Elite to Japan early next year, expanding the model’s availability in that market.

The 2027 Honda Passport and Passport TrailSport are built exclusively at the Honda Alabama Auto Plant, using domestic and globally sourced parts.

2027 Honda Passport TrailSport: What’s New?

Feature2027 Passport TrailSport update
Ground clearance9.65 inches, an increase of 1.38 inches
SuspensionNearly 70% of major components redesigned
Chassis updates28 suspension and related chassis parts new or reengineered
Off-road geometryImproved approach, departure and breakover angles
SteeringImproved feel and response
TrailWatch camera systemStandard on all TrailSport trims
Exterior stylingNew fender flares, lower fascia and amber hood scoop lights
Blackout PackageNew black front and rear fascias
New colorSmoke Blue Pearl
Interior equipmentHeated steering wheel now standard

Source: Honda

News

Flood-Damaged 1991 Honda NSX Sells for More Than $51,000 in Japan

A flood-damaged 1991 Honda NSX has sold for ¥8.004 million, or roughly $51,000, in a Japanese online auction despite having nearly 147,000 miles, a four-speed automatic transmission, and extensive water damage. The surprising sale highlights just how valuable the first-generation Honda NSX has become—and how far collectors are willing to go to save one.

The Formula Red NSX, identified as a Japanese-market NA1 model, appeared on Yahoo Auctions Japan after being caught in severe flooding last July. According to the auction listing, the car had accumulated 236,776 kilometers, equivalent to approximately 147,126 miles, and had passed through multiple owners before its latest and rather unfortunate chapter.

There was no attempt to disguise the car’s condition. The seller openly described the NSX as flood-damaged, offered it strictly as-is, and characterized it as a restoration project—or, more bluntly, “junk.” The photographs tell the story even more clearly, showing the exotic Honda sitting in murky floodwater that rises high across its doors.

And yet, someone was willing to pay more than $51,000 for it.

A $6,400 Starting Price Turns Into a $51,000 NSX

The auction began at ¥1 million, approximately $6,400 at the time. Considering the car’s mileage, automatic transmission, and potentially catastrophic flood damage, that opening price seemed relatively understandable.

Instead, interest escalated rapidly.

A total of 93 bids eventually drove the price to ¥8.004 million. The auction concluded on August 15, with the winning bidder committing more than eight times the original starting price for an NSX that had recently spent time partially submerged in floodwater.

The final figure is particularly remarkable because this isn’t an ultra-low-mileage collector car or a rare manual-transmission example. It is a high-mileage automatic NSX that now requires an enormous amount of work before it can realistically return to the road.

That makes the sale as much a story about the growing value of the original NSX as it is about one particularly ambitious restoration project.

Flood Damage Could Be Far Worse Than It Looks

A car sitting in water up to its doors can suffer damage that goes considerably deeper than ruined carpeting, upholstery, and interior trim.

Modern cars are particularly vulnerable to water because of their extensive electrical systems, but even a relatively straightforward 1991 sports car contains an enormous number of electrical connections and components that can become problematic after exposure to floodwater.

Wiring harnesses, connectors, switches, electronic control units, sensors, seat components, and other electrical hardware can develop corrosion long after a flooded vehicle appears to have been dried out.

The problem isn’t necessarily whether the car starts immediately after restoration. The real concern is what happens months or years later when corrosion begins affecting connections that were exposed to contaminated water.

The drivetrain raises additional questions. The extent of the damage depends heavily on how long the NSX remained submerged and how far water penetrated into the engine, transmission, lubrication systems, and other mechanical components.

A proper restoration could therefore require a near-total mechanical and electrical inspection rather than simply replacing damaged interior components.

The Automatic Transmission Doesn’t Help

The flood damage isn’t the only issue facing this particular NSX.

The 1991 NA1 is equipped with a four-speed automatic transmission, rather than the manual gearbox that many enthusiasts consider essential to the classic NSX experience.

That’s significant because the original Honda NSX has become increasingly collectible, and manual examples generally command greater enthusiasm from performance-car buyers.

The car also has nearly 147,000 miles on its odometer. For a 35-year-old Japanese sports car, that mileage isn’t necessarily alarming by itself. In fact, a well-maintained NSX can be remarkably durable.

But when combined with severe flood exposure and an automatic transmission, it makes the ¥8.004 million sale even more difficult to understand at first glance.

The winning bidder clearly isn’t looking at this Honda in the same way as someone shopping for a conventional used car.

Why Would Anyone Pay $51,000 for a Flooded NSX?

There is one obvious answer: it’s an NSX.

The original Honda NSX occupies a special place in automotive history. Introduced at the beginning of the 1990s, it challenged established assumptions about what a Japanese sports car could be and demonstrated that performance, reliability, usability, and sophisticated engineering could coexist in an exotic-looking package.

Its aluminum-intensive construction was also revolutionary for the era and remains one of the characteristics that makes the first-generation NSX interesting to collectors and restorers.

That doesn’t mean every damaged NSX is automatically worth saving. But as surviving examples become increasingly valuable, even severely compromised cars can attract attention from specialists who are willing to undertake projects that would make little financial sense with an ordinary vehicle.

This particular NSX could ultimately be restored to driving condition. Alternatively, its value may lie in its model-specific components, especially if someone is searching for parts that are becoming increasingly difficult to source.

Either way, the car’s identity as an original NSX gives it a starting point that most flooded sports cars simply don’t have.

This Isn’t the First Extreme NSX Restoration

The difficulty of restoring a heavily damaged NSX shouldn’t be underestimated.

A previous example that was recovered from a river became a particularly memorable demonstration of just how complicated these projects can become. An experienced NSX restoration team committed to bringing that car back to life, yet the project remained unfinished years later.

That example provides an important reality check for anyone looking at the ¥8.004 million auction result and imagining a relatively straightforward restoration.

A flood-damaged NSX can quickly become a financial black hole.

Every component that has absorbed contaminated water needs to be evaluated. Every electrical connection potentially becomes a future failure point. Mechanical systems may need to be disassembled, cleaned, rebuilt, or replaced. Finding suitable replacement parts can add another layer of expense, particularly for a vehicle whose components are becoming increasingly valuable.

The final restoration bill could therefore reach a substantial percentage of—or potentially exceed—the car’s eventual market value.

The NSX Collector Market Is Changing

The auction result is nevertheless revealing.

There was a time when a 147,000-mile automatic NSX with major flood damage would primarily have been considered a parts car or an unrealistic restoration candidate. Today, the original NSX has developed enough collector appeal that even severely damaged examples can attract serious bids.

That doesn’t necessarily mean the winning bidder made a financially rational decision. Collecting cars rarely works that way.

For the right enthusiast, originality, provenance, and the opportunity to rescue a historically important vehicle can be worth more than a conventional calculation of restoration costs.

The Japanese-market provenance could also have played a role. The car is an NA1 NSX from the model’s early years, making it an interesting piece of Honda performance history despite its unfortunate condition.

A $51,000 Gamble on a Submerged Supercar

Ultimately, the ¥8.004 million sale is difficult to justify if the NSX is viewed purely as transportation—or even as a conventional investment.

A 1991 Honda NSX with nearly 147,000 miles, an automatic transmission, and severe flood damage faces enormous restoration challenges. Paying more than $51,000 before the restoration has even begun requires considerable confidence, financial resources, or simply a deep emotional attachment to the NSX.

But that’s precisely what makes this auction fascinating.

The buyer wasn’t purchasing a pristine supercar. They were purchasing the possibility of one.

If the restoration succeeds, the car could emerge as a remarkable example of an early NSX saved from an unusually bad fate. If the damage proves too extensive, however, the buyer could be left with an extraordinarily expensive collection of parts.

For now, the only thing certain is that the original Honda NSX has become valuable enough for someone to spend more than $51,000 on a car that recently spent time sitting in floodwater.

That’s a remarkable statement about the legendary Japanese supercar—and an even more remarkable gamble on one very wet restoration project.

Source: Yahoo Japan