Las Vegas, Nov. 5, 2002 - American Honda today unveiled nine performance vehicles at the 2002 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) trade show in Las Vegas where it also announced a new Factory Performance (FP) package for the 2003 Accord Coupe and sponsorship support in various racing series.

Headlining show vehicles include a specially constructed ultra high performance 2003 Honda Accord Concept Coupe and 2003 Civic Si Concept, RealTime Racing's new Acura RSX Type-S SCCA Pro racecar, Adam Saruwatari's Civic Si Pro Drag car, plus Honda and Acura vehicles modified by some of the biggest names in the performance aftermarket.

"The ideas and concepts displayed at SEMA explore new approaches to maximizing the potential built into every Honda and Acura platform," said Jim Roach, American Honda Vice President of the Parts Division. "People who drive and modify our cars understand that Honda and Acura products integrate an extra measure of performance into every vehicle as part of the company's design and engineering philosophy."

American Honda also announced the expansion of available Factory Performance packages through Honda Accessories with the addition of an Accord Coupe FP package. The Accord Coupe FP package provides high performance suspension components, 17-inch wheels and tires, a full body kit and FP trim. When it goes on sale in early 2003, the Accord Coupe FP package will join the Civic EX Coupe FP package in the Honda Factory Performance lineup. Acura currently offers a similar FP package for the RSX Type-S. All FP packages are engineered by Honda and carry the same warranty as the rest of the vehicle.

Six cars total debuted at SEMA for the Honda division. Designed by Honda R&D Americas, the 2003 Honda Accord Concept Coupe makes its world debut and features a 300-horsepower V-6 engine with a semi-manual six-speed transmission with paddle shifter, a complete aero package, wide body kit, race suspension and lightweight prototype parts. The Civic Si Concept accents the car's class leading potential for ultimate performance. Another Civic Si, modified by King Motorsports with Mugen aftermarket equipment, delivers intense performance designed for the street and the track. A third Civic Si, a pro drag racing car driven by Adam Saruwatari, made its world debut. The Honda Element on display showcases some of the accessories that will be available when Element goes on sale in December.

Acura brings three models to SEMA delivering in the category of ultimate high performance - the RealTime Racing Acura RSX Type-S that competes in the Sports Car Club of America's SPEED World Challenge Touring Car Championship, an RSX Type-S equipped with the newly-introduced Factory Performance package, and a supercharged CL Type-S with a six-speed manual transmission and a prototype aerodynamic body kit.

In addition, American Honda's racing contingency sponsorship plans for 2003 include continued support for Racers Against Street Racing (RASR) in various racing series including the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) and National Hot Rod Association (NHRA). The contingency sponsorship program awards Honda and Acura racers from amateur to professional ranks that win races and show their support for RASR, a SEMA organization dedicated to promoting alternatives to street racing.

With the debut of the completely redesigned 2003 Honda Accord comes a new realm of possibilities for customization. Envisioned and customized by Honda, the 2003 Honda Accord Concept Coupe exemplifies a new direction for a platform that has traditionally been among the most popular in the industry to modify. Now with an available 240-horsepower V-6 engine and a six-speed manual transmission, the performance demeanor of the Accord has increased to a new level. The Accord Concept Coupe goes a few steps further and strives to integrate useful modifications that give it even more horsepower, lower curb weight, increase handling performance, and improve acceleration and braking to practically race-ready levels.

Powertrain / Chassis Modifications: High-flow intake and exhaust, 300-horsepower 3.2-liter V-6 engine, limited slip differential, semi-manual 6-speed transmission, prototype 8-piston Brembo brakes, lowered racing suspension and widened track. Exterior Modifications: Carbon fiber body kit (includes bumpers, side sills, grill and underbody diffuser), dual aluminum integrated exhaust ports, aluminum/carbon fiber rear wing, black chrome finish headlights and taillights, 20-inch black chrome wheels, Bridgestone Potenza S03 235/45 ZR20 tires, fender flares and NSX Spa Yellow paint. Interior Modifications: F1-style paddle shifter on steering wheel, prototype multifunction meter display with on-board diagnostics, Sparco carbon/Kevlar backed bucket seats covered in Alcantera suede, 4-point front seat harnesses, three-spoke racing steering wheel, and aluminum sport pedals.

The 2003 Honda Civic Si Concept delivers hard-hitting power and showcases the adaptability of the Si to aerodynamic enhancements and other customization. Modified with a prototype GReddy turbocharger for street use, the Civic Si Concept produces 230-horsepower. Underneath, the Civic Si Concept employs a Honda-developed racing suspension with a widened track and ultra high-performance springs, shock absorbers, Brembo brakes, 18-inch wheels and more. The Honda CBR motorcycle red paint taps into Honda's championship-winning motorcycle racing heritage. Parts of the body that channel air for cooling and heat exhaustion are constructed of nickel carbon fiber. The interior houses carbon fiber race seats and a Mugen digital display replaces the traditional gauges with a multi-program LCD screen that can convey extensive engine information. An additional Mugen information center with an LCD screen mounted on the center of the instrument panel provides additional on-board diagnostics.

Powertrain/Chassis Modifications: GReddy T518Z Turbocharger with integral wastgate, prototype GReddy front-mounted intercooler kit with aluminum piping, GReddy Airinx high-flow intake system, GReddy e-manage engine control manager, GReddy Profec E-01 electronic boost controller (with e-manage programmer), widened track, Factory Performance sport suspension, center mounted high-flow exhaust system, 4-piston Brembo brake system. Exterior Modifications: Rally-inspired body kit, 18-inch polished titanium-finish wheels, carbon fiber grill, front intake and rear bumper diffuser, black chrome finish headlights and smoked taillights, high-mounted 2-stage rear wing. Interior Modifications: Mugen carbon fiber and Kevlar race seats covered in red Alcantera suede with 6-point racing harness, sport 3-spoke steering wheel, aluminum pedals and shift knob, Mugen high performance LCD screen gauge package, center mounted information display.

The 2003 Honda Accord Coupe can be equipped with a new Factory Performance (FP) suspension package that will be available in Spring 2003 through all Honda dealerships nationwide. The kit lowers the ride height of the Accord by approximately 1-inch and enhances overall handling performance with aggressively tuned shock absorbers, springs, and 17-inch wheels and tires. The dealer-installed FP package is available for the 2003 Accord V-6 Coupe on LX and EX trim levels with either manual or automatic transmissions. An MSRP for the FP suspension has not been announced yet. The 2003 Accord Coupe display car at SEMA features the FP package.

Chassis/Exterior: Factory Performance suspension (shock absorbers, springs) underbody aero kit, 17-inch alloy wheels, 215/50VR-17 high performance tires, rear wing spoiler. Interior Accessories: Factory Performance shift knob, FP trim.

The 2003 Honda Element goes on sale in December 2002 and delivers an affordable, rugged and adaptable platform that incorporates the best traits of a pickup with a hard flat floor, an SUV with the rear enclosed area and a car with its responsive handling and good fuel economy. Starting around $16,000, the Element leaves room for extensive customization, and the display car at SEMA shows some of the new accessories available from Honda for this totally new segment of light truck. A 160-horsepower 2.4-liter i-VTEC 4-cylinder engine powers Element and it is available in 2WD or 4WD, automatic or manual transmissions. The interior can adapt to items as large as a 10-ft surfboard and the side cargo doors make loading big objects from the side easy. The standard urethane-coated utility floor is water and scratch resistant.

Overall, Element is rugged in all the right places. A 2003 Honda Ruckus, an all-new runabout scooter from Honda, is on display in the back of the SEMA Element.

Exterior Accessories: Sidesteps, fog light kit, roof rack, surfboard attachment, 16-inch machine finish alloy wheels, wheel locks. Interior Accessories: Metallic-finish interior panels, seat back bungee cord, tailgate cushions.

The 200-horsepower Acura RSX Type-S has quickly built a reputation as being one of the sleekest and most sought-after machines in its class. Acura is offering its first Factory Performance package for the RSX Type-S at dealerships nationwide beginning in early 2003. The Factory Performance package features track-tuned shocks and springs that lower the car by approximately one inch. The shocks and springs combined with lightweight aluminum alloy wheels, 17-inch high performance tires, slotted brake rotors and performance pads give the RSX Type-S razor sharp handling, reduced body roll, increased cornering grip and enhanced braking performance. A rear wing spoiler, an under-body spoiler kit and an interior trim package featuring a Factory Performance shift knob and badging also give the car an aggressive, high performance look. The kit will have an MSRP of $4,800, plus installation.

Chassis Modifications: Factory Performance Package (track-tuned shocks and springs, slotted brake rotors and performance brake pads, lightweight 17x7.5 inch alloy wheels, high-performance 225/45VR17 tires). Exterior Modifications: Factory Performance Package (rear wing spoiler, under-body spoiler kit). Interior Modifications: Factory Performance Package (metallic-look interior trim kit, factory performance shift knob, factory performance badging).

In addition to an Acura RSX Type-S equipped with the newly-introduced Factory Performance package, Acura will feature two other models at SEMA; a supercharged CL Type-S with a six-speed manual transmission and a prototype aerodynamic body kit, and the new Real Time Racing Acura RSX Type-S that recently debuted in the Sports Car Club of America's SPEED World Challenge Touring Car Championship.

The all-new RealTime Racing (RTR) Acura RSX Type-S will be replacing one of the legendary Acura Integras the team has campaigned over the past five years to the most wins of any models ever in the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) Pro Racing SPEED World Challenge Touring Car Championship. The RTR RSX made its first on-track debut in October 2002 at Road Atlanta and will be the car of choice for the 2003 season. The Touring Car Championship series uses production vehicles with appropriate modifications for professional road racing. The RTR RSX features a 230-horsepower 2.0-liter i-VTEC 4-cylinder engine with factory and aftermarket performance parts.

Powertrain Modifications: 2.0-liter i-VTEC 4-cylinder engine, high performance camshafts, 6-speed manual transmission, limited slip front differential, Gemini stainless exhaust header with RealTime Racing exhaust system, EFI Technologies fuel management system. Chassis Modifications: Required minimum weight 2,475 lbs., Moton triple adjustable struts, Eibach springs, RTR Mombo anti-roll bar, Brembo 12.6-inch front brake rotors with four-piston calipers, Brembo 11.0-inch rear brake rotors with two piston calipers, Hawk Performance brake pads, 17x7.5 SSR aluminum wheels, Series Spec 225/45ZR17 Toyo tires. Exterior Modifications: RTR front aerodynamic splitter and undertray, series specification 6-inch rear wing. Interior Modifications: EFI Technologies digital dash display with data acquisition, Hella master switch and relays, Sparco seat and five-point seatbelts, Sparco steering wheel.

Professional drag racer Adam Saruwatari debuts his all-new 2003 Civic Si Pro Drag Car that will be competing sometime during the 2003 season. Designed to compete in the NHRA Pro-Comp classes, the 2003 Civic Si Pro Drag Car features a tube chassis, rear-wheel-drive and a 1,000+ horsepower 3.2-liter V-6 NSX engine. Last year at SEMA, Saruwatari showed a street version of the Civic Si Pro Drag Car.

Powertrain Specifications: 1000+ horsepower 3.2-liter Acura NSX V-6, Tial Sport turbo, Motec M880 ECU, G-Force sequential 5-speed transmission, East-West custom adjustable titanium double disc clutch. Suspension Specifications: Hansen Race Cars chassis, Lamb coil-over adjustable suspension, Eibach ERS springs, Enkei drag wheels, Nitto drag slick tires. Exterior Specifications: Hansen Race Cars custom wing, lowered roof line and fully modified body with carbon fiber hood, front clip, doors and rear hatch. Interior: Sparco Seats, Motec ADL Dash, custom carbon fiber and aluminum interior pieces.

Using Honda performance specialist Mugen's vast array of aftermarket high-performance parts, King Motorsports (the sole authorized North American distributor for Mugen Co., Ltd) has created the ultimate street performance Civic Si that maximizes the potential throughout every corner of the vehicle. Making its world debut at SEMA, the King Motorsports/Mugen Civic Si has a K20 DC5R engine and 6-speed transmission with a limited slip differential. The modified engine produces 240-horsepower.

Powertrain Modifications: Japan Domestic Market (JDM) K20A DC5R engine, JDM DC5R six-speed close ratio transmission with limited slip, Mugen cold airbox, JDM DC5R exhaust manifold and down pipe, Mugen stainless steel twin-loop cat-back exhaust, Mugen ECU, Mugen low temp thermostat, Mugen hi-pressure radiator cap, Mugen reserve tank covers. Suspension Modifications: Mugen N-1 coil-over adjustable suspension, Mugen 25mm rear stabilizer bar, JDM Civic Type-R front stabilizer bar, 5 lug conversion with RSX Type-S brakes front and rear, Mugen Micro Mesh brake line set, Mugen MF10 forged wheels 17x8, Bridgestone S0-3 225/45 ZR 17 Tires, rear adjustable upper control arms. Exterior Modifications: JDM Civic Type-R front and rear bumpers, JDM Civic Type-R side skirt kit, JDM Civic Type-R rear bumper valance, Mugen carbon fiber aero hood, Mugen front spoiler, Mugen sport grill kit, Mugen carbon fiber radiator duct kit, Mugen adjustable rear wing. Interior Modifications: Prototype Mugen digital instrument panel, Mugen S-1 bucket seat with Mugen seat rail kits, Mugen Sports Pedal Set, Mugen Race II steering wheel with Mugen hub adapter.

The addition of an available close-ratio 6-speed manual transmission with a limited slip differential on the 2003 Acura CL Type-S lineup provides a new level of excitement to an already potent performer. Acura developed a special CL Type-S concept that can take full advantage of the new six-speed manual transmission and limited slip differential by increasing horsepower with a supercharger. The CL Type-S concept incorporates a CARB-legal Comptech Supercharger and headers along with other Comptech modifications to provide 312-horsepower at the front wheels.

Comptech springs lower the CL by about 1.5 inches, and other Comptech production parts are used including the front and rear sway bars. Honda R&D Americas designed the prototype aero body kit, and high performance 19-inch wheels and tires are fitted.

Powertrain/Chassis Modifications: CARB-certified Comptech supercharger, Comptech cold air intake, Comptech CARB-certified exhaust headers, Comptech high-flow exhaust system, prototype Brembo brakes, Comptech sport suspension with Titanium front upper strut bar, 19-inch Maya DTM wheels from DAZZ Motorsport. Exterior Modifications: Front and rear prototype bumpers and side moldings, deck lid tail spoiler, custom aluminum exhaust tips.