--- title: "Honda Planning ‘More Masculine’ Passport and ‘Futuristic’ Accord Redesign: TDS" date: "2026-06-08" modified: "2026-06-08" authors: - name: "Adam Ismail" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/adam-ismail" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/honda-planning-more-masculine-passport-and-futuristic-accord-redesign-tds" categories: - "News" - "The Downshift" tags: - "honda" - "Off-Road" - "passport" - "suv/crossover" --- # Honda Planning ‘More Masculine’ Passport and ‘Futuristic’ Accord Redesign: TDS ![Honda Passport TrailSport HRC Concept]() *The Honda Passport TrailSport HRC Concept from earlier this year. \Honda\* Welcome to *[The Downshift]()*, or TDS for short, *The Drive’s* morning automotive news roundup bringing you the biggest headlines from around the globe. We hope you had a fine weekend. Here are the stories worth catching up on for Monday, June 8, 2026. 💇 Honda is seemingly planning significant refreshes for the Accord and Passport for next year. One Honda executive teased a "substantially redesigned Accord that will feel like a new model," while an anonymous source said the automaker is "giving \[the Passport\] more testosterone" and that "it's a little more masculine." *[\[Automotive News\]]()* 🌍 Stellantis will sell the the new Dodge Charger in Europe, from gas-powered Sixpack models to the battery-electric Daytona, in two- and four-door varieties. *[\[Stellantis\]]()* 🚣 Subaru has promised no less than three new manual-toting models for Japan: a new hatchback seemingly inspired by the Performance-B STI Concept from last year's Japan Mobility Show; a WRX with the more durable TY85 manual from the prior-gen STI; and a leaner, sharper BRZ. It's unclear if any of these vehicles will be sold in the U.S. *[\[Carscoops\]]()* 🚙 Subaru also issued a rather odd press release over the weekend, "\[announcing\] that it is considering" selling the three-row Ascent in Japan, where it has not been offered to date. The Ascent is built in Indiana. *[\[Subaru\]]()* ⛽ Toyota seemingly can't crank out new RAV4s quickly enough, with less than five days' worth of inventory in the U.S. at present, as the hybrid SUV has been selling fast due to rising gas prices. *[\[Bloomberg\]]()* ⛐ Ford of Europe has continued playing coy on the prospect of a Fiesta and/or Focus revival, with its product chief saying, with respect to new ST or RS models, that, "To be credible and authentic, there needs to be some kind of performance series of our vehicles." *[\[Auto Express\]]()* 🚕 Uber has opened a waitlist for customers in London who want to use the company's robotaxi service in the city first, though no prospective launch date has yet been given. *[\[Bloomberg\]]()* 🏁 Weekend race results: - **NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series at Michigan:** Corey Heim won for Tricon Garage - **British Touring Car Championship at Oulton Park:** Dan Cammish, Ash Sutton, and Charles Rainford each won races - **MotoGP Hungarian Grand Prix:** Marc Marquez won for Ducati - **Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix:** Kimi Antonelli won for Mercedes - **NASCAR Cup Series at Michigan:** Denny Hamlin won for Joe Gibbs Racing - **IndyCar at St. Louis:** Josef Newgarden won for Team Penske *Got a news tip? Reach out to tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Adam is a Senior Editor at The Drive, concentrating on curating and developing the site's slate of daily journalism, from initial pitch to final copy edit. When he's not at his desk researching leads and working with writers, he's testing vehicles or reviewing racing games, new and old. He joined The Drive in 2023, following seven years of covering consumer technology and cars. A car lover and gamer since his earliest memories, Adam came to know the automotive world through video games. First it was Daytona USA, Sega Rally, and Ridge Racer; then came Need For Speed, which inspired an encyclopedic knowledge of '90s supercars, and, of course, Gran Turismo. If not for them, he'd assuredly be doing something else right now. Adam is based in the suburbs outside Philly, where there are ample roads for his hot hatch to stretch its legs. In his car, he's probably listening to indie rock, drum and bass, or Yankees baseball. ### Author social links [Bluesky]() [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()