Honda announced its lineup for the 2023 Tokyo Auto Salon which includes a pair of hybrid “Sports Accessory Concepts” based on the Civic and the ZR-V, alongside a mysterious racecar concept for the 2024 season. Those will be exhibited next to the Mugen-tuned ZR-V and Civic Type R concepts.
The Sports Accessory Concepts are tuned versions of the Civic e:HEV and the ZR-V e:HEV fitted with Honda’s upcoming genuine accessories. While the automaker has already shown a full range of accessories for the Civic since the summer of 2021, and for the ZR-V since the summer of 2022, the concepts appear to have new parts.
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Teaser shots of the profile show that the Honda Civic e:HEV gets the most striking visual updates. Those include a large splitter with integrated fins, a matching side skirt, and a fixed rear wing. The add-ons have a carbon-fiber look contrasting with the blue-painted body. While the “Sports Accessory Concepts” is based on a humble e:HEV model, its bodykit wouldn’t look out of place in the new Type R.
Moving on to the Honda ZR-V e:HEV, it also benefits from the addition of a splitter, side skirts, rear apron, and rear spoiler, although those look more subtle compared to the Civic. The alloy wheels are blacked-out from the teaser, but we also expect an upgrade in terms of rim size and design. The new parts add sportiness to the hybrid SUV and would look great on the US-spec Honda HR-V twin. Note that this is not the only tuned ZR-V that will be exhibited at the Tokyo Auto Salon as Mugen will bring its own concept based on the hybrid SUV.
Both “Sports Accessory Concepts” come fitted with Honda’s e:HEV hybrid powertrain centered around a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. The mill is combined with a single electric motor in the FWD-only Civic e:HEV and with dual electric motors in the AWD-capable ZR-V e:HEV. It is not clear if the concepts will feature any sort of mechanical upgrades, or if they will be limited to the visual treats which sounds more likely.
Besides the teased models, Honda also announced a new racecar concept. While we don’t have any information on the origins of the model, the automaker wants to put it into actual racing for the 2024 season. In Tokyo, it will be joined by a Honda NSX GT from the Super GT GT500 series, a Civic Type R from the Super Taikyu, a race-prepped Fit e:HEV from the Joy Endurance race, and N-One from the owner’s cup.
We will learn more at Honda’s conference at the Tokyo Auto Salon scheduled for January 13.
