Tag Archives: Honda

News

Honda Tries to Make Hybrids Fun Again with the Civic e:HEV RS and HRC Concepts

Honda isn’t easing into Tokyo Auto Salon 2026—it’s arriving sideways, tires warm, with something to prove. The brand’s teaser confirms a packed booth loaded with concepts, prototypes, and race hardware, but the real story is how Honda is trying to square three competing ideas at once: electrification, enthusiast credibility, and good old-fashioned fun.

Front and center is a curious new idea wrapped in a familiar shape: the Civic e:HEV RS prototype. If that name feels like alphabet soup, that’s because Honda is experimenting, not just with powertrains, but with what “sporty” means in a post-manual future.

A Civic RS That Trades Clutch Pedals for Code

The Civic RS badge debuted in Japan last year as a driver-focused alternative to the mainstream hatchback. It had the right ingredients—sharper suspension tuning, a turbocharged 1.5-liter engine, and, crucially, a six-speed manual. The new e:HEV RS takes a hard left turn from that formula by ditching combustion-only power altogether.

In its place is Honda’s familiar self-charging hybrid setup, likely pairing a 2.0-liter four-cylinder with twin electric motors for a combined output around 200 horsepower. That’s not exactly Type R territory, but Honda isn’t chasing lap records here. Instead, it’s chasing engagement.

Enter S+ Shift, a system that artificially simulates gear changes by manipulating engine speed, torque delivery, and sound. Yes, it’s digital trickery. No, Honda isn’t pretending otherwise. The goal is to inject rhythm and feedback into a drivetrain that would otherwise feel like a single-speed appliance.

We’ve already seen this tech previewed with the new Prelude, and the Civic e:HEV RS would become only the second model to use it—if it makes production. And its presence at Tokyo Auto Salon suggests Honda is at least seriously considering that step.

Visually, expect the familiar RS look: red badges, dark exterior trim, black 18-inch wheels, and optional aero bits. Just don’t look for exhaust tips—the hybrid Civic won’t be faking those.

HRC Turns the Volume Back Up

If the Civic e:HEV RS represents Honda’s future-facing curiosity, the Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) concepts are there to reassure enthusiasts that the company hasn’t gone soft.

Leading the charge is the Civic Type R HRC Concept, described as the brand’s “ultimate” expression of pure sports performance. That’s vague on purpose. Honda hasn’t said whether this is a sneak peek at a hotter Type R variant or simply a rolling laboratory for track-focused components. Either way, history suggests weight reduction, chassis stiffening, and functional aero are all on the table.

Think back to the Acura Integra Type S HRC Prototype from 2024—a car that stripped away comfort in favor of lap times. This Civic is expected to follow that same blueprint, trading daily-driver compromises for circuit credibility.

Alongside it is the Prelude HRC Concept, which builds on the already announced Prelude revival. Honda says these upgrades further explore “the joy of driving,” a phrase that’s doing a lot of heavy lifting. Translation: more aggressive tuning than anything you’ll find in the Honda Genuine Accessories or Mugen catalogs, with HRC pushing well past the safe zone.

From Concept to Competition

Honda’s booth won’t just be about what-ifs. The HRC Prelude-GT racecar will also be on display, previewing the machine set to compete in Japan’s Super GT GT500 class starting in 2026. This marks a significant motorsports commitment and ties the revived Prelude name directly to top-tier racing.

And because this is 2026, there’s also a digital angle. Honda will showcase a new racing simulator based on the retired NSX-GT, giving fans a virtual taste of Super GT machinery without the risk of real-world repair bills.

More Than Meets the Eye

An official teaser hints at 14 cars and two motorcycles on display, which means Honda is almost certainly holding a few surprises back. Tokyo Auto Salon has always been the place where manufacturers loosen their ties and let engineers have some fun, and Honda seems eager to lean into that tradition.

The show runs from January 9 to 11 at Makuhari Messe, with Honda’s press conference scheduled for January 8 at 8:30 p.m. EST. Expect more details—and probably a few curveballs—as the date approaches.

If nothing else, Honda’s Tokyo Auto Salon lineup sends a clear message: the company knows the enthusiast world is watching closely. And it’s not done trying to impress.

Source: Honda

News

Honda Sets the Pace at the 2026 Rose Parade with “The Power of Teams”

On New Year’s Day, Honda will once again claim center stage in Pasadena, leading the 137th Rose Parade® with a float that blends brand philosophy, motorsport energy, and American sporting culture into one unified statement. Titled “The Power of Teams,” the 2026 Honda float brings the company’s long-standing slogan, The Power of Dreams, into physical form—this time with a clear message: progress is strongest when it’s shared.

At the heart of the float is a floral tableau depicting three figures who define Honda’s world: an engineer, a Team USA athlete, and a race car driver. Together, they symbolize collaboration across disciplines—design, sport, and competition—each pushing limits, but always as part of something bigger.

Jennifer Symington, assistant vice president of marketing for American Honda, describes the Rose Parade as a moment when the brand’s values come alive. For Honda, “The Power of Teams” reflects not only its partnerships with elite athletes and race teams, but also the thousands of associates who design, build, sell, and support its vehicles every day. The ambition is simple but resonant: inspire people to dream boldly, and to do it together.

A Moving Showcase of Unity and Innovation

Created in line with the 2026 parade theme, “The Magic in Teamwork,” the float features an elevated circular track carrying a trio of vehicles: a Honda-powered race car, a USA Bobsled, and the all-new 2026 Honda Prelude hybrid sports coupe. The visual is deliberate—different machines, different missions, one shared path forward.

Anchoring the design is a striking red arch paying tribute to Los Angeles, the city where American Honda began its journey more than six decades ago. Looking ahead, the float also points toward Honda’s future role on the global stage, as a Founding Partner of the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games and Official Automotive Partner of Team USA.

Behind the scenes, the float was designed by Fastport, Honda’s emerging micromobility venture based in Torrance, California. Known for rethinking last-mile delivery, Fastport will also showcase its zero-emissions eQuad cargo vehicle during the parade—an understated but meaningful nod to Honda’s broader mobility vision beyond passenger cars.

Music, Movement, and Momentum

Honda’s float will anchor the parade’s Opening Spectacular with a high-energy performance led by global vocal powerhouse Bishop Briggs, joined by 24 world-class dancers. Briggs will perform her platinum-selling hit “River” alongside “Champion,” reinforcing the themes of resilience, teamwork, and shared victory. With billions of streams and views to her name, Briggs is no stranger to cultural impact—and her return collaboration with Honda builds on their earlier work during the TrailSport “Chasing Greatness” campaign.

The Vehicles Leading the Way

At the front of the parade, the 2026 Honda Prelude hybrid takes on a symbolic role as both pace car and statement piece. Marking Honda’s 32nd year as the Rose Parade’s Official Vehicle, the Prelude expands the brand’s hybrid lineup and reintroduces a storied nameplate with modern intent. Notably, it debuts Honda S+ Shift, a new drive mode designed to simulate a performance transmission experience and heighten driver engagement—an enthusiast-leaning touch in an increasingly electrified era.

Technology is central to the Prelude’s appeal, with a large touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto™, Google built-in functionality, a Bose premium audio system, and wireless smartphone charging all standard.

Acura, Honda’s premium performance brand, will also make its Rose Parade debut with the all-new Acura ADX, serving as the 2026 Official Sound Car. Positioned as the brand’s new gateway SUV, the ADX underscores Acura’s reputation for audio excellence with a bespoke 15-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system, developed exclusively for the model. Inside, the ADX pairs performance-focused design with seamless connectivity, including available Google built-in services and standard wireless smartphone integration.

Supporting the spectacle is a diverse fleet of Honda mobility solutions: 100 Motocompactos, classic Honda Metropolitan scooters, Pioneer side-by-sides, Fastport eQuads, and electrified staples like the Honda Prologue, CR-V Hybrid, and Odyssey, all keeping the parade moving smoothly behind the scenes.

More Than a Float

For Honda, the Rose Parade has never been just a ceremonial lap—it’s a rolling manifesto. In 2026, “The Power of Teams” reinforces a simple idea with broad relevance: innovation doesn’t happen in isolation. Whether on the road, on the track, or on the world’s biggest sporting stages, Honda’s message is clear—dreams go further when they’re powered by teamwork.

Source: Honda

NEW CARS

2026 Honda Pilot Refresh: Bigger Screens, Quieter Cabin, and Sharper Road Manners Keep Honda’s Three-Row SUV on Top

Honda didn’t reinvent the Pilot for 2026—but it didn’t need to. Instead, the brand focused on the stuff that actually matters to families who live with a three-row SUV every day: better tech, a calmer cabin, sharper steering, and styling tweaks that give the Pilot a bit more attitude. The result is a meaningful refresh that keeps the Pilot firmly in the conversation as one of the benchmarks in the midsize SUV class.

The updated 2026 Pilot is arriving at dealerships now, with pricing starting at $42,195 for the Sport model (before the $1,495 destination charge). As before, the lineup spans six trims—Sport, EX-L, Touring, TrailSport, Elite, and Black Edition—each clearly differentiated by equipment and personality.

Screens Finally Catch Up to the Competition

The most obvious upgrade greets you the moment you climb inside. Every 2026 Pilot now comes standard with a 12.3-inch touchscreen, a massive step up from the outgoing system and one that finally looks at home next to rivals from Hyundai and Kia. It’s paired with a new 10.2-inch digital gauge cluster, and both displays run Honda’s latest software for quicker responses and cleaner graphics.

Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are now standard across the board, along with Google built-in and available 5G Wi-Fi. Translation: fewer cables, faster connections, and less frustration on school runs and road trips alike. Honda also made a power tailgate standard on all trims—one of those “why wasn’t it already?” features that families will appreciate immediately.

Quieter, Calmer, More Premium Inside

Honda didn’t stop at screens. Engineers went after noise, vibration, and harshness with surprising enthusiasm, adding thicker glass, better insulation, and revised door materials. Honda claims a 2–3 dB reduction in key frequencies, which might sound minor on paper but pays dividends on the highway. Touring and Elite models go a step further with enclosed fender liners to further hush road noise.

Material quality also takes a step up. Touring models now get more upscale upholstery and stitching, while Elite and Black Edition trims introduce diamond-quilted Ultra Suede seat accents that push the Pilot closer to entry-luxury territory. TrailSport buyers aren’t left out either, with an available brown leather interior accented by bold orange stitching and newly standard heated second-row outboard seats.

Subtle Styling Tweaks, Stronger Presence

Outside, the changes are evolutionary but effective. A redesigned front fascia with a larger grille gives the Pilot a more assertive face, while new scuff plates emphasize its rugged intent. Wheel designs are freshened across higher trims, including new Shark Gray 20-inch alloys on Touring and Elite models and Berlina Black wheels for the Black Edition.

Honda also adds a trio of new colors—Solar Silver Metallic, Smoke Blue Pearl, and TrailSport-exclusive Ash Green Metallic—that bring some welcome variety to the Pilot palette. Roof rails are now standard on every trim, further reinforcing the SUV’s adventure-ready image.

Better Steering, Same Strong V-6

Under the skin, Honda focused on refinement rather than reinvention. A retuned electric power steering system delivers more on-center weight and improved feedback, especially noticeable during highway cruising and on winding roads. It’s a subtle upgrade, but one that helps the Pilot feel more composed and confident behind the wheel.

Power still comes from Honda’s naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V-6, producing 285 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, paired with a smooth-shifting 10-speed automatic. All-wheel drive remains optional across most trims and standard on TrailSport, Elite, and Black Edition models. Honda’s torque-vectoring i-VTM4 system continues to be a standout, sending power not just front-to-rear but side-to-side at the rear axle for improved traction and cornering stability.

TrailSport Still Means Business

For buyers who actually plan to leave the pavement, the TrailSport remains one of the more convincing off-road-oriented trims in the segment. It features a raised suspension, steel skid plates, all-terrain tires, and exclusive drive modes that genuinely improve performance in sand and on trails—all without turning the Pilot into a penalty box on the highway.

Safety and American Roots

Every 2026 Pilot comes standard with the Honda Sensing suite of driver-assistance tech, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, collision mitigation braking, and road departure mitigation. New for 2026 is a Post-Collision Braking system designed to reduce secondary impacts, while the Touring trim gains a 360-degree camera system previously reserved for the top models.

The Pilot continues to be built in Lincoln, Alabama, reinforcing Honda’s long-standing commitment to U.S. manufacturing. More than 2.5 million Pilots have rolled out of the Alabama plant since 2006, and the model consistently ranks near the top of Cars.com’s American-Made Index.

The 2026 Honda Pilot refresh doesn’t chase trends—it refines strengths. Bigger, better screens, a noticeably quieter cabin, improved steering feel, and thoughtful feature upgrades make an already solid three-row SUV even easier to recommend. In a segment packed with flashy newcomers, Honda’s steady, well-executed evolution might just be the Pilot’s biggest advantage.

Source: Honda