5 Innovative Honda Cars from the Last 15 Years
Honda has always been one of the most innovative automotive companies in the world. Here are some recent highlights of their forward thinking worldview.
1. 2000 Honda Insight
The Honda Insight was one of the very first hybrid electric vehicles in the USA. The rather futuristic, aerodynamic body, and lightweight structure (just 1900lbs) made its fuel economy simply mind-blowing, at 70 mpg. The Insight was also one of a few hybrids to ever offer a manual transmission, and the typical Honda handling makes it actually fun to drive. Years later, many of these are still serving commuter duty, and the slippery shape has become the darling of the land speed racing world, with speeds of 150-200 mph possible with motor swaps.
2. 2015 Honda Civic Type-R
The Honda Civic Type-R is the highest performance version of the Civic, and represents Honda's embracing of factory turbocharging. Its unique body, upgraded brakes, and powerful engine makes it so much more than just a tuned version of an economy car. The last generation Type-R developed more than 300 horsepower from its turbo 2.0-liter VTEC motor, and lapped the Nurburgring in less than 8 minutes, and the next one promises to be even better. If you love fast, sporty Hondas, the newest Type-R is for you.
3. 2003 Accord V6 6 Speed Sport
Since 2003, Honda has offered the Accord with the V-6 motor and a slick shifting 6 speed manual transmission for a sporty, and surprisingly fun to drive family car. Few people cross shop the Honda Accord and the BMW 3-series, but if you are looking for a sport sedan that blends into traffic, the Honda is the way to go. With fewer and fewer companies offering American midsize sedan buyers the option of a manual, being a throwback makes Honda an innovator. The fact that the Accord is one of the last mainstream coupes available makes Honda's offering even more innovative.
4. 2006 Honda Civic Si
The 8th generation Honda Si was a much bigger success than its immediate predecessor, which was kind of bland in comparison. Honda gave it 200 horsepower at a fairly high 8300 rpm, and an excellent 6-speed manual transmission, to get the most out of it. The Si is the perfect example of a normal daily-driver that can also be a fun weekend toy on the track. You can easily get more than 30 mpg on the highway with this, and in the twisties, the engine can sing a beautiful song as you work the gears.
5. 2000 Honda S2000
The highly appreciated S2000 offers tremendous handling, as well as an attractive exterior, but what is innovative about it was the 9000 rpm redline, and the 120hp per liter from the F20C motor. To put it in perspective, it wasn't until 2010, and Ferrari, that a motor made more power per liter (without a turbo). Over its 10 years of production, the S2000 kept improving little by little as a sports car, receiving suspension updates, a bigger motor, and of course the Club Racer, but the basic package was nearly perfect from the get-go.