Honda Details Sports DNA Concepts and Racing Cars for Tokyo Auto Salon 2026

Honda announced its Tokyo Auto Salon 2026 plans, unveiling Sports DNA concepts, HRC models and a new GT500 race car. Explore what will be shown.

Honda has announced its plans for Tokyo Auto Salon 2026, where the company will showcase concept models and racing machines under the theme “Honda Sports DNA”. The event will take place from January 9 to 11, 2026, at Makuhari Messe, with the Honda booth located in the Central Hall.

The chosen theme highlights the continuity of Honda’s philosophy, in which motorsports serve as the ultimate proving ground for technologies later applied to production vehicles. The booth design, dominated by the brand’s signature red color, is intended to convey Honda’s long-standing commitment to driving performance and its racing heritage.

Three world premieres will anchor Honda’s exhibition. The first is the Civic Type R HRC Concept, a concept model based on the Civic Type R and developed by Honda Racing Corporation. According to Honda, the concept reflects expertise gained through motorsports activities, with the aim of further refining what the company describes as “ultimate pure sports performance.” Specific technical modifications, however, have not been disclosed.

The second premiere is the Prelude HRC Concept, a customized version of the all-new Prelude, which went on sale in September 2025. Equipped with HRC-designed parts, the concept is positioned as a more driver-focused interpretation of the new Prelude, although detailed specifications of the HRC components have not been released.

The third debut is the Civic e:HEV RS Prototype, a sportier RS-grade version of the hybrid Civic. This model will become the second Honda vehicle, following the new Prelude, to feature the Honda S+ Shift system. Honda S+ Shift is a control technology for hybrid powertrains that simulates stepped gear changes, managing engine speed and motor output to enhance driver engagement and deliver a more dynamic driving experience.

Racing machinery will also play a central role at the Honda booth. The exhibition will include the Honda HRC Prelude-GT, an all-new GT500-class race car scheduled to compete in the 2026 Super GT Series. Developed by Honda Racing Corporation, the Prelude-GT has already completed initial test runs at Sportsland Sugo and will replace the Civic Type R-GT as Honda’s GT500 entry. In addition, visitors will be able to experience an e-motorsports racing simulator developed using the actual NSX-GT, which competed in the Super GT series until the 2019 season.

Honda has stated that further details about its Tokyo Auto Salon 2026 exhibition will be released sequentially via a dedicated website. Traditionally a major platform for both concept cars and motorsports culture, Tokyo Auto Salon 2026 is set to underline Honda’s emphasis on performance, racing DNA, and the direct link between competition and road-going vehicles.