The headliner for Honda at the 2026 Tokyo Auto Salon is the Prelude, but the company really leaned into its history for much of its display. For example, this Civic e:HEV RS, which shares a powertrain with the Prelude, was decked out in the same livery as the JAACS EG6 Civic that won the 1993 Japan Touringcar Championship.
The original was based on the EG6 Civic SiR and powered by a B16A engine tuned to 230 horsepower. Built by Mooncraft and driven by Naoki Hattori and Katsushi Kanishi, it beat its biggest rival, a Mugen-tuned EG6, and took the 1993 Group A championship. The eye-catching livery was incredibly memorable, and we hope Honda has the guts to offer the Civic Hybrid in this exact color scheme as a factory option.
In SuperGT, Honda’s NSX-bodied GT500 race car was replaced by a Civic Type R body in 2024. But starting in 2026, the Prelude will be carrying the Honda banner in Japan’s most-watched touring car series. From the front, the red and white livery recalls the Japanese flag motif used on the RA272, albeit inversely, while also recalling the Marlboro color scheme that graced the McLaren-Hondas which dominated F1 in the 80s and early 90s. It’s a brilliant melding of iconic Honda eras into one combined graphic.
Honda also showed off the first of its NSX heritage parts. Some of the items on display include an aluminum engine block of the C30A, a camshaft, an “NSX” emblem, a cable, and a door panel. Oh, and there was a restored Formula Red NA1 on display was well.
Our absolute favorite, however, was the Honda N-One RS Racing Mate Concept. Finished in a resplendent green, the retro kei jidosha comes from the factory with a 6-speed manual transmission. This one is decked out in the theme of Racing Mate, the 60s and 70s aftermarket and racing parts manufacturer. Racing Mate ads from back in the day used an N360, so this take on the modern N-series in its most fun-to-drive trim is oh so fitting.
These aren’t classic liveries, but Honda was also showcasing HRC-modified versions of the new Prelude and FL5 Civic Type R. These don’t include powertrain improvements, but supposedly handling and aero are upgraded. Yes, we know every manufacturer is loading up their models with suspension mods instead of horsepower bumps, but these could end up being more substantial that whatever TRD has become. At least HRC actually builds F1 engines and hopefully any HRC-touched cars share some of that DNA by osmosis.
Well have more from the 2026 Tokyo Auto Salon soon. Stay tuned.
I’d be happy if they offered a Civic Sport Hybrid in Boost Blue Pearl with silver wheels. Or those white ones the N-One has. I’m sick of black wheels.
N-One RS Racing Mate Concept is my favorite.
So much want.