One of Soichiro Honda’s core founding principles for the company which still bears his name was that it should lead the way in technical innovation.

This wasn’t just something that was said. It truly was something that was actually done – and continues to be done to this day.

Consider a few facts; Honda was the first company to introduce a concept for America that did away with the need for catalytic convertors whilst the cars were still able to pass tough Federal emissions laws. The co-called ‘CVCC’ combustion chamber was introduced for the first generation Civic, way back in 1972.

Then during the 80s Honda introduced variable valve time and electronic lift control.

The company’s legendary founder, Soichiro Honda, died on August 5, 1991. But his innovative legacy was certainly to live on.

In the 90s, the company he founded introduced the NSX supercar, with a powerful VTEC engine, and aluminium suspension the car was simply revolutionary. But with zero emission laws looming, Honda turned its attentions to development of electric and hybrid engines and we are seeing the results of those advancements to this day in cars like the Insight and Jazz.

The latest version of Honda’s most famous car, the 2012 Honda Civic is also packed full of Honda’s innovative technologies. There are simply too many to mention here. But when you consider, for example, that the Civic 2012 includes ECO assist which tells you exactly when to change gear and even changes the colour of the speedometer from blue to green to help you – you’ll see what I mean.

Add to that the peerless aerodynamics, the ability for drivers to select the ECON button which changes settings such as throttle mapping and the air-con system, to further maximise economy – and you soon see that the car really is cutting edge – just as the founding Father would have wanted it.