Honda at the 2006 Paris Salon

• International Show debut of third-generation CR-V
• World debut of the high performance Civic Type R production model
• 2007 Model Year FR-V features new 1.8-litre petrol engine
• Zoned areas highlight three main key themes on which the Honda brand is built – advanced technology, sporting prowess and new products
• Press conference to be held on the Honda Stand in Hall 3 at 13.30 on Press Day, 28th September

28 August 2006 – Honda is taking a larger stand than ever at the Paris Motor Show and will be using the occasion to reveal two important new models, the CR-V compact SUV and the high performance Civic Type R.

The brand-new, third generation CR-V combines SUV practicality with more car-like driving dynamics, sportier styling and a more luxurious, generously equipped interior to take it into premium SUV territory. Uniquely within the sector, it is also available with the advanced Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and Collision Mitigation Brake System (CMBS), two cutting-edge technologies that deliver added driver convenience and much enhanced safety.

A brand new 2.0-litre petrol engine, together with the 2.2-litre i-CTDi diesel engine, ensures that the CR-V continues to offer class-leading fuel consumption and performance.

Honda will also be presenting the world debut of the keenly awaited Civic Type R which captures the same degree of fun and exhilarating performance as its predecessor, but in a more refined and mature package.

The 'superhatch' offers similar performance levels, but greater cabin refinement, fully integrated styling and handling that is tuned for enhanced predictability and responsiveness, to deliver an even more rewarding driving experience.

The 2007 Model Year FR-V is also being revealed at the Show. Honda's compact multi-purpose vehicle, featuring six seats arranged in two rows of three, now has a new engine line-up featuring the Civic range's 1.8 litre SOHC i-VTEC engine together with a series of detail exterior and interior changes.

Themed Zones

Key elements in Honda's strategy have always been product advancement through technological innovation as well as by the expertise gained through participation in motorsport. The Honda stand at the Paris Show therefore will feature Advanced Technology and Sports zones to encapsulate these twin pillars which form the basis for the new Product zone at the heart of the booth.

The new CR-V as well as the new Civic Type R are the main ingredients of the new Product Zone. They will be joined by the revised FR-V and the recently shown Civic Type S as well as the fully equipped Accord. 

In the Sports zone, Honda's participation at the pinnacle of motorsport will be represented on the stand by the winning RA106, as raced by Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello this season, together with the Honda RA806E V8 engine which powers this car.

Alongside will be a racing variant of the new Civic Type R that fully exploits its performance potential. Developed by JAS Motorsport, the official partner of Honda in customer racing support, the Civic Type R is expected to be FIA homologated for 2007 track and rally events.

The Sports zone is rounded off by a special edition of the Honda S2000 roadster in Super Platinum White and with a Passion Red and Black interior.

Honda's pre-eminent role in developing highly fuel efficient and alternatively fuelled vehicles is showcased within the stand's Advanced Technology zone.

Honda will also be showing the very latest fuel cell technology in the form of the FCX Concept car, a sleek, premium four door sedan featuring a unique, low-floor fuel cell platform that allows a spacious cabin previously unimaginable in a fuel cell vehicle.

Displayed alongside, and illustrating how such vehicles might be fuelled, will be Honda's Home Energy Station. This can generate hydrogen from a domestic gas supply, as well as generate electricity to power the home using its own fuel cells, and at the same time recover the heat produced to provide a supply of hot water – represented at the Show by a 'home' diorama complete with TV screen and wash basin producing hot water, courtesy of the Home Energy Station.

Honda's hybrid technology is now well established. In order to illustrate that super-efficiency and visually arresting, sporty designs need not be mutually exclusive, Honda will be showing the Civic Hybrid Sports concept. Fitted with deep front and rear spoilers and side skirts, the aggressive-looking body is finished in a special blue paint, and set off by chrome finish seven-spoke alloy wheels and exhaust tailpipes. The equally distinctive interior uses the stark contrast of black and white as a colour scheme, with bucket seats providing a sporting flourish.

The Civic Hybrid Cut model, also featured in the Advanced Technology Zone, uses cutaways and transparent body panels to expose key elements of the hybrid technology to provide a better understanding of the technology and the benefits achieved.