Honda wants to remind buyers that it is an enthusiast-oriented brand, with a heavy focus on racing and driver involvement at the 2026 Tokyo Auto Salon.
Honda appears to be re-inventing itself as a brand with genuine enthusiast appeal, while at the same time keeping a firm eye on its eco-conscious credentials.
At the 2026 Tokyo Auto Salon, Honda is set to unveil a new version of the Civic hybrid, equipped with the simulated gear shift technology from the new Prelude, while the Prelude itself will be shown as a racing-oriented custom concept.
The Civic hybrid, officially called the Civic e:HEV RS, will debut a new version of the existing Honda Civic hybrid range.
It will become the second Honda production model to feature S+ Shift technology, Honda’s form of a simulated gear shift system that gives its otherwise stepless hybrid drivetrain the feel of a traditional transmission.
The technology has already launched on the Prelude coupe, and it is also set to feature on the Super One compact EV due later this year.
Honda joins brands like Hyundai and Lexus in offering a more ‘traditional’ driving feel for electric and hybrid vehicles, designed to mimic the acceleration feel of a traditional combustion engine and multi-ratio transmission.
Up to this point, the Civic hybrid range has lacked a sporty version, but as with other Honda RS models, the Civic e:HEV RS is unlikely to get a power boost to bridge the gap between regular Civic models and the Civic Type R hot hatch.
Instead, expect subtle styling changes to give it a more sporty look, and minor revisions to steering and suspension for a warm hatch-style difference between the Civic RS and the more premium positioned Civic e:HEV L and e:HEV LX currently sold in Australia.
Tokyo Auto Salon will also play host to the Prelude HRC Concept.
Honda has remained tight-lipped on the concept in the lead-up to Tokyo Auto Salon, describing it as “a concept model customizing the base model of the all-new Prelude” using parts developed in-house by Honda Racing Corporation.
The Prelude HRC Concept will be shown alongside the Honda HRC Prelude-GT, Honda’s 2026 entrant into Japan’s GT500 racing category.
Honda’s emphasis on hybrid models at Tokyo Auto Salon aligns with the brand’s future strategy of increased hybrid development as EVs, while still part of Honda’s product plan, play a less important role.
A third HRC car, the Civic Type R HRC concept, will also be shown.
Again, Honda has said little ahead of the Tokyo show’s opening, but the brand says the Type R HRC “further refined the driving performance of Civic Type R developed with the goal of achieving the ‘ultimate pure sports performance.’”
The 2026 Tokyo Auto Salon opens on January 9 with full details of the previewed vehicle expected to be revealed as the show opens.
Kez Casey migrated from behind spare parts counters to writing about cars over ten years ago. Raised by a family of automotive workers, Kez grew up in workshops and panel shops before making the switch to reviews and road tests for The Motor Report, Drive and CarAdvice.
