Honda Line-up at The Geneva Salon 2006 Tackles Future Challenges Through Innovation and Diversity · Honda Civic Type R Concept world debut
· European Legend makes its first appearance
· Honda FCX Concept points way to the future of fuel cell vehicles
GENEVA, Switzerland, February 28, 2006 - At this year's Geneva Auto Salon Honda is displaying a range of vehicles that perfectly encapsulate the company's bold approach to the challenges confronting today's vehicle designers.
The line-up that includes the world-unveiling of the Civic Type R Concept with its promise of fun and exhilarating performance. The quickening progress towards a hydrogen-fuelled future is amply demonstrated by the FCX Concept, a futuristic, stylish, but highly practical fuel cell car that points the way to a potential production model in three to four years' time. Then there is the debut of the European-specification Legend which bristles with innovative technology and raises the bar in terms of all-round safety features. And just to illustrate the company's breadth of expertise and now extensive motorsport heritage is a trio of Formula One machines, from the past to the present.
Honda Civic Type R Concept
Honda Civic Type R Concept
Civic Type R Concept: dynamic styling, exciting performance
With a level of success way beyond Honda's initial expectations, the Civic Type R which ended production last year proved a smash hit among those seeking the thrills of a sporty, high performance car, yet still delivering a strong dose of practicality, and all at an affordable price.
The bold styling and 200 PS DOHC i-VTEC engine of the Civic Type R Concept provides a clear indication of how the final production car will appear; driving enthusiasts are unlikely to be disappointed.
The European Legend: effortless performance and innovative technology
Honda's flagship saloon becomes available during the summer across Europe and offers a powerful combination of luxury and effortless driving performance.
The 295 PS 3.5 litre VTEC engined Legend is equipped as standard with an array of advanced technology designed to enhance relaxation, safety and the overall driving experience.
Those qualities are epitomised by Honda's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system. Its unique ability to proportion torque both front to rear and between left and right rear wheels, allows it to overdrive the outer rear wheel during cornering to enhance handling and stability. Driving enjoyment and safe progression are the result.
But that is just the tip of the iceberg of an extensive specification which includes a pop-up bonnet for pedestrian protection and the option of Adaptive Cruise Control and Honda's Collision Mitigation Brake System.
Simulators demonstrate driving aids and safety technology
The stand will feature two Advanced Technology Simulators: which allow visitors to experience for themselves some of the new technologies fitted in the new Legend, including the SH-AWD system, Intelligent Night Vision System and E-Pretensioners.
The FCX Concept: a fuel cell car blending style and practicality
Another pointer to the direction of Honda's passenger car development is provided by the FCX Concept. This is more than a technology test bed and the advanced fuel cell technology is clothed in a stylish, dynamic bodyshell that offers outstanding space and in-cabin comfort. Driving convenience is enhanced by features such as a Biometrics Driving Unit that recognizes the driver and so unlocks the doors and sets pre-programmed driving positions as well as a system that senses the driver's line of sight and operates switches accordingly, allowing the driver hands-free operation of various systems.
Above all, however, the FCX Concept demonstrates the advanced state of development of Honda's fuel cell technology which is now capable of ultra-low-temperature start-up performance within a very compact package that makes a low floor platform possible. The new FCX Concept can have a cruising range of 560km (350 miles).
Home Energy Station: Fill up the car at home
One of the potential limitations to the extensive take up of hydrogen as an alternative fuel source in the near future could be the lack of an adequate refuelling infrastructure. In a clear demonstration of lateral thinking, Honda has therefore been pursuing the possibility of a system that would allow the owner of a fuel cell car to fill up at home. Utilizing a natural gas supply, the Home Energy Station does just that, delivering a supply of hydrogen reformed from natural gas. In addition, the Home Energy Station is all the more useful for its ability to provide heat and power for the home. The system can be viewed on the Honda stand alongside the FCX Concept.
F1 machines past and present celebrate Honda's return as a full-factory team
To mark Honda's return to the F1 circuit this season as a 100 per cent Honda racing team, the Honda booth features three all-Honda machines: a 2006-liveried machine flanked by two machines that hail from a previous era of full-factory team participation – the 1964 RA271 and the 1965 RA272 resplendent in their original Honda Racing White livery.
THE CIVIC TYPE R CONCEPT
The practical nature of the current Civic Type R made it a car for everyday driving, yet one that just as equally delivers instant performance, plus fun handling, on demand. That dual personality thrilled over 35,000 customers, far exceeding initial sales forecasts during its relatively short production run.
Last year Honda announced it is to build a successor, and while the previous model is a tough act to follow, the credentials of the Civic Type R Concept which makes its world debut at Geneva, suggests that the new car will attract a whole new wave of enthusiasts.
Bold and emotional styling is teamed up with a development of the previous Type R's race-proven, high-revving pedigree DOHC i-VTEC engine. 200 PS delivered from a capacity of 2.0 liters without resorting to a turbocharger defined the character of the old model and will equally define the character of its spiritual successor. The promise then is of a performance hatchback that will be as exciting to drive as it will be to look at when it goes on sale at the beginning of 2007.
A new 3-door version of the Civic, which shares DNA with this Type R Concept model, will go on sale in Europe later this year. It makes use of many of the styling themes that have brought such wide praise for the recently introduced Civic 5-door.
Civic Type R and the rest of the Civic 3-door range, will be exclusively built alongside the Civic 5-door range at the Honda of the UK Manufacturing (HUM) plant in Swindon
