US-spec Honda Civic comes with a hidden Easter egg

Most of us are familiar with Easter eggs in computer games and movies – hidden clues and artwork to past movies, characters, even friends of the crew and cast – but it is rare that vehicle manufacturers will see fit to include one inside a car or motorcycle. Proving that it has something of a sense of humour, Japanese automotive giant Honda has included an Easter egg in the current generation Honda Civic.

The Easter egg can be found in 2016 and 2017 US-market Honda Civic sedans or coupes (the UK-built hatchback doesn’t get it), in EX trim or above, reports Car and Driver. Located in the centre console, the hidden artwork is printed on the back of the rubber mat lining the bottom.

There are four designs to be discovered, all showing detailed embossing of machines from Honda’s past and present engineering and racing efforts. First of the four hidden designs shows the 2006 Honda RA106 Formula 1 race car, the 1968 Honda S800 GT-1 endurance race winner, the current MotoGP RC213V racebike, and the HondaJet.

2016 Honda Civic Sedan

Next up is the McLaren Honda MP4/4 with its 1.5-litre Honda RA168E turbo V6 engine, which, piloted by Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost, is said to be the most dominant Formula 1 car ever, winning all but one race and claiming all but one pole position in 1988. It is partnered by the Honda RC166 with its 249 cc air-cooled 4-stroke inline-six DOHC engine which took all 10 races of the 1966 World Championship, along with the titles for 1967 and 1968, ridden by Mike Hailwood.

Third in the series showcases the Honda NS500 three-cylinder two-stroke racing motorcycle, which Freddie Spencer raced to his first ever 500 GP world championship in 1983, defeating Kenny Roberts on the Yamaha OW 70 V-four. It is joined by the Asimo – Advanced Step in Innovative Mobility – a humanoid robot designed and developed by Honda.

Last of the Honda Civic Easter eggs requires a little explanation, since it features a vehicle not actually designed and built by Honda. The Curtiss Special is, well, special, because Honda’s founder, Soichiro Honda, was a riding mechanic in this racecar, which won the Fifth Japan Motorcar championship, back in 1924. Alongside the Curtiss Special is the RA272, Honda’s first ever car to win a Formula 1 race, piloted by Richie Ginther in the 1965 Mexico GP.

There you have it, four little hidden clues that celebrate Honda’s success around the globe in racing, as well as its engineering prowess. It should be noted though, that these little “gifts” are only to be found in US-market Honda Civics, and not in Malaysia (we’ve checked).

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