Honda's racing division could spice up Australian showrooms

Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) – a motorsport subsidiary of the Japanese automaker – is expanding its operations to include enhancement of the brand's road cars, and Honda Australia is keen to get in on the action.

Announced at the Tokyo Auto Salon back in January, Honda will introduce HRC-spec versions of a wide range of production models, split into a road-focused Sport Line and off-road Trail Line.

HRC-tweaked concepts of several Honda models – including every member of the local lineup bar the Accord sedan – were displayed at the Salon, possibly hinting at what's to come.

Honda had also previously confirmed a HRC line of performance parts that are set to be offered as individual upgrades for regular production models.

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It remains to be seen which model will be first to wear the HRC treatment, though HRC president Koji Watanabe has confirmed yet unspecified go-fast parts for the Civic Type R will go on sale later this year.

Changes for the Civic Type R HRC Concept showcased in Tokyo included a new front bumper to house a larger intercooler, as well as wider wheel arches, extended side skirts, redesigned rear wing, restyled rear diffuser, and an Akrapovič exhaust system.

Honda Australia has so far been quiet on HRC's foray into production performance, but CEO Jay Joseph says the local arm is keen to secure any model variants, parts and accessories that become available.

"I think HRC showed off some really cool concepts," Mr Joseph told CarExpert at the local launch of the new Prelude.

"We're excited to try to have a chance to bring some of those components to market, and maybe even special editions.

"There's nothing to announce today, but some of the concepts that Honda has shown at the Auto Salon, SEMA, CES and other global events are being taken a little more seriously than concepts."

However, Mr Joseph stopped short of confirming any HRC products for Australia, and Honda has yet to offer much detail at a global level.

Nevertheless, the introduction of HRC Down Under would give Honda Australia a more rounded performance offering beyond the Civic Type R hot hatch and new Prelude coupe.

The HRC Sport Line is best thought of as Honda's answer to Hyundai N and Toyota Gazoo Racing – high-performance sub-brands that have rapidly gained a strong following since launching last decade.

Two Sport Line creations were shown off in Tokyo – the Civic Type R HRC Concept and a Prelude concept kitted out in HRC performance parts.

Meanwhile, the Trail Line is more akin to what Ford does with its off-road racing-inspired Raptor lineup, and to some extent Subaru with Wilderness, albeit without the racing angle of the former.

TrailSport HRC Concept models based on the CR-V, ZR-V, Vezel (HR-V) and WR-V SUVs were all included as part of the January display.

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