This personal coupe first appeared in Japan in 1978 as a sporty, front-wheel-drive specialty model aimed at buyers who wanted something more distinctive than a mainstream compact. It quickly became known for introducing advanced features for its era and for helping define the Japanese “date car” image in the 1980s and 1990s. Across its original run, the nameplate evolved through five generations, moving from a compact coupe concept into a more refined grand-touring style while staying focused on style, technology, and driver involvement.
The early generations were especially notable for bringing new Honda technologies to the market, including Japan’s first electric sunroof, early anti-lock braking applications, and later the world’s first four-wheel steering system. In the 1990s, the model also became a showcase for advanced chassis development and more serious sporty positioning, which earned it a loyal enthusiast following.
After the fifth generation ended, the nameplate disappeared from the market for more than two decades. It returned in 2025 as a sixth-generation specialty sports model for the electrified era, presented as a hybrid coupe that carries forward the original theme of a refined, technologically forward personal sports car while clearly marking a new production period.