WITH star appearances of Honda's Tokyo Show Concept cars, the unveiling of a new production supercar and an invitation for people to get behind the wheel of the trendsetting Civic IMA petrol-electric car, Honda is putting the "show" into Sunday Times Motor Show Live.

Recently the HSC was confirmed as the basis for Honda's next generation supercar, the car to replace the fabled NSX. It is sure to be one of the major crowd pullers at Birmingham, pairing up in a joint British show debut with the high tech IMAS Eco coupe. The appearance of both vehicles reflects the growing stature of the new Birmingham show, as well as Honda's commitment to it.

The HSC is a design study combining the ultimate in supercar performance with the interior comfort and handling finesse of a true thoroughbred. It features a lightweight body, a compact yet powerful engine and a racing-inspired interior. The High-Performance Sports Concept features a lightweight 3.5-litre V-6 engine located midship for optimum balance and superior handling. Gear changing is accomplished through a unique dial shifter located on the centre console or an F-1 style paddle shifter located on the steering wheel.

The HSC features a four-wheel double wishbone suspension with six-piston calliper Brembo disc brakes on each wheel. Five-spoke forged aluminium alloy racing wheels are shod with 245/35ZR19 tyres in front and 295/30ZR20 tyres in the rear. The HSC body is composed of carbon fibre panels over an all-aluminium unit body frame. Short overhangs and a 10.47-inch wheelbase maximise handling and agility. The cockpit is rounded and sleek for an aggressive look as well as increased visibility.

A clear glass engine cover, located behind the cockpit, shows off the engine. The lower body boasts a low waistline, rectangular air intakes on both sides, curvaceous fenders, scissor-style doors and sharp lines that leave no doubt s to the concept's sporty nature. IMAS is a concept car that seeks to demonstrate that environment-friendly credentials don't preclude fun-to-drive, sports car performance.

Honda's designers have taken inspiration from and tried to capture the freedom of movement provided by a bicycle - a mode of transport that responds instantly to the riders' input, is highly manoeuvrable, environmentally friendly and, above all, provides that invigorating feeling of slicing through the air. To achieve this they have created a highly distinctive and advanced design that is light in weight, aerodynamically efficient and powered by the latest version of Honda's petrol-electric hybrid system, IMA (Integrated Motor Assist).

Constructed mainly from super-light carbon fibre and aluminium, the IMAS weighs in at only 700kg. The body's sweeping contours feature sharp exterior lines combined with smooth planes to create an exceptionally aerodynamic form, and details such as faired in rear wheels and rear combination lights built in to the rear spoiler contribute to a very low drag coefficient.

Power is provided by the latest version of Honda's IMA system which supplements a highly efficient petrol engine with a thin and lightweight electric motor to assist the engine when accelerating and recapture energy when braking or decelerating. IMA in combination with a slippery and light body results in an outstanding fuel consumption figure of 113mpg (2.5 1/100km).

Further technological sophistication is provided by a shaftless VGS steering system and a drive-by-wire throttle for a natural, linear response. Working in perfect synergy, these electronic control technologies produce a crisp and clean driving experience. It has never before appeared at a British show, but there's good reason why the NSX Type-R is being displayed at Birmingham. This will all become clear, following an important announcement to be made on press day...