First look: Honda joins four-door coupe craze

HONDA will exhibit no fewer than 25 new vehicles at next week’s Tokyo motor show, headlined by an all-new Civic Hybrid and two sleek sports sedan concepts.

While the eighth-generation Civic hatch and US-only Civic coupe have already been revealed, Australia’s all-new Civic sedan range – including a new hybrid version – will appear in the metal before going on sale here early next year.

Alongside the redesigned Civic Hybrid, Honda’s Concept Vehicle Zone will comprise the four-door Sports 4 concept, the dog-friendly W.O.W concept and the premium FCX fuel-cell sedan.

While the latter features a low floor, low centre of gravity and a full-sized cabin, the W.O.W offers a glovebox large enough to accommodate a medium sized dog and the Sports 4 is a coupe-shaped sports sedan in the mould of Mazda’s RX-8 - which could herald the look of its next-generation Accord medium sedan.

Honda’s Advanced Technology Zone at Tokyo will also offer an easy-to-understand presentation of the Super Handling All-Wheel-Drive (SH-AWD) system used by the new Legend large sedan, which is due on sale here late this year.

Other new technologies to be displayed by Honda include the Intelligent Night Vision System (INVS) and the Collision Mitigation Brake System (CMS).

Honda’s Motor Sports Zone will showcase its Formula One and IndyCar machinery alongside the facelifted S2000 roadster, while a "Special Needs Vehicle Zone" will feature the STEP WGN side lift-up seat vehicle, the Fit equipped with Honda’s Franz System and a vehicle fitted with Honda’s Techmatic driving assistance system.

Of course, the world’s largest motorcycle manufacturer will also present a massive two-wheeler display comprising production-ready scooters like the Forza Z ABS and Fusion SE, the EU-04 concept, the next-generation CBR600RR and CBR1000RR sports bikes and the latest Gold Wing tourer - complete with the world’s first production motorcycle airbag.