NEW YORK: As well as helping to create the crossover craze, new sporty models from Honda, Subaru and Mazda show that their designers may well also have the antidote to increasing automotive homogenization.
The Honda Civic Concept
For many, the only thing lacking from Honda at this year’s New York Auto Show was confirmation that the Civic Type-R — the world’s fastest front-wheel-drive car — was going to be offered to US as well as European driving enthusiasts.
But Honda went one better it took the wraps off the car that will replace it — and even in standard guise looks like it’s built to break track records.
“The new Civic will be, flat out, the most dynamic, the most technologically advanced and the most refined and stylish Civic we’ve ever made,” said John Mendel, executive vice president, Automobile Division, American Honda Motor Co., Inc. “In every way, this will be an epic Civic.”
The first models based on the new design are expected to go on sale in the US next year and as well as a coupe, sedan, and hatchback version, a new Type-R will eventually land.
The Subaru STI Performance Concept
Just as Mercedes has AMG, when it comes to turning its standard cars into racing machines, Subaru turns to Subaru Tecnica International (STI).
At this year’s show STI has taken a Subaru BRZ, a fun affordable sportscar, and worked its magic to create the STI Performance Concept. “At STI we know from our racing that to win, it is important not only to have high power, but also that all aspects of performance are balanced over the whole car,” said Yoshio Hirakawa, president of Subaru Tecnica International, Inc.
The company is being coy as to whether or not the car will one day officially hit the streets but is stressing that all the parts it added could soon be available as aftermarket pieces for tuners to buy and self customize their existing BRZ.
Mazda MX-5 Club
While the Honda is months away and the STI concept may never officially materialize, one wonderful Japanese sportscar at this year’s show will be on sale before the summer’s out. The new Mazda MX-5 Miata is already a very good roadster, but the new Club edition, announced Wednesday, is even lighter than the standard car with a limited slip differential, a tweaked engine, special 17-inch alloys, Bilstein shock absorbers and exclusive front and rear spoilers.
“MX-5 is the heart and soul of Mazda, serving as a beacon for the rest of our lineup with its fun-to-drive dynamics, design and technologies,” said Jim O’Sullivan, president and CEO, MNAO. “Jinba Ittai — oneness between driver and machine — defines the MX-5. It’s a philosophy that has led every decision we’ve made toward bringing the MX-5 back to the basics that made drivers fall in love with it 26 years ago when the first generation debuted.”
Keyword: NY Auto Show a sporting choice from Japanese car makers