Automotive

Honda S660 sports car moves from concept to production to Concept Edition

Honda S660 sports car moves from concept to production to Concept Edition
Honda has announced that the S660 and S660 Concept Edition will go on sale in Japan starting April 2nd
Honda has announced that the S660 and S660 Concept Edition will go on sale in Japan starting April 2nd
View 29 Images
Honda has announced that the S660 and S660 Concept Edition will go on sale in Japan starting April 2nd
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Honda has announced that the S660 and S660 Concept Edition will go on sale in Japan starting April 2nd
The S660 on the road
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The S660 on the road
A concept cersion of the S660 was showcased at the 2013 Tokyo Motor Show
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A concept cersion of the S660 was showcased at the 2013 Tokyo Motor Show
The S660 is powered by a turbo-charged three-cylinder engine
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The S660 is powered by a turbo-charged three-cylinder engine
The engine of the S660 has dual overhead camshafts
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The engine of the S660 has dual overhead camshafts
The S660 is designed specifically to be be fun to drive
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The S660 is designed specifically to be be fun to drive
The S660 has a low center of gravity for road-holding
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The S660 has a low center of gravity for road-holding
Honda says the S660 is the world’s first mini-vehicle equipped with a 6-speed manual transmission
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Honda says the S660 is the world’s first mini-vehicle equipped with a 6-speed manual transmission
The S660 is also available with a 7-speed Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) version and flappy-paddles
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The S660 is also available with a 7-speed Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) version and flappy-paddles
The S660 features the smallest diameter steering wheel of all of Honda's mass market cars at 350 mm (13.8 in)
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The S660 features the smallest diameter steering wheel of all of Honda's mass market cars at 350 mm (13.8 in)
The driving position of the S660 is designed to be similar to that of a go-kart
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The driving position of the S660 is designed to be similar to that of a go-kart
Honda promises a snappy response from the S660 accelerator regardless of gear
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Honda promises a snappy response from the S660 accelerator regardless of gear
The pedals in the S660
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The pedals in the S660
The sport mode button in the S660
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The sport mode button in the S660
The dash info in the S660
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The dash info in the S660
The headlight detail of the S660
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The headlight detail of the S660
The wing mirror detail of the S660
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The wing mirror detail of the S660
A side view of the S660
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A side view of the S660
The door handle detail of the S660
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The door handle detail of the S660
A rear view of the S660
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A rear view of the S660
A view of the S660 with the roof down
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A view of the S660 with the roof down
The S660 is a mid-engine, rear-wheel drive car
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The S660 is a mid-engine, rear-wheel drive car
The engine in the S660
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The engine in the S660
The roof in the S660 rolls off
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The roof in the S660 rolls off
The S660 roof fabric can be completely detached
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The S660 roof fabric can be completely detached
The S660 Concept Edition with a burgundy roof
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The S660 Concept Edition with a burgundy roof
The S660 Concept Edition has red steering wheel stitching
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The S660 Concept Edition has red steering wheel stitching
Each S660 Concept Edition has its serial number indicated on a console-mounted plate
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Each S660 Concept Edition has its serial number indicated on a console-mounted plate
The roof the of the S660 Concept Edition
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The roof the of the S660 Concept Edition
View gallery - 29 images

Honda has announced that a production version of a concept it showcased at the 2013 Tokyo Motor Show will be made available to buy. The Honda S660 is designed to be a fully-fledged sports car packed into a mini, two-seater form. A limited-availability Concept Edition will also be rolled out.

The S660 is a mid-engine, rear-wheel drive car powered by a turbo-charged three-cylinder engine with dual overhead camshafts (DOHC). It is designed specifically to be be fun to drive, with a low center of gravity for road-holding and a 45:55 front-rear weight balance that is configured with the vehicle's handling in mind. It also features Honda's Agile Handling Assist system.

According to Honda, the S660 is the world’s first mini-vehicle equipped with a 6-speed manual transmission, although a 7-speed Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) version with flappy-paddles is also available. Honda also promises a snappy response from the accelerator regardless of gear.

The S660 features the smallest diameter steering wheel of all of Honda's mass market cars at 350 mm (13.8 in)
The S660 features the smallest diameter steering wheel of all of Honda's mass market cars at 350 mm (13.8 in)

The driving position of the S660 is designed to be similar to that of a go-kart, to give the driver the sense of "unity" with the vehicle. Similarly, it features the smallest diameter steering wheel of all of Honda's mass market cars at 350 mm (13.8 in) to give a sense of responsiveness.

The Concept Edition features a variety of extras, including water-repellent coatings on the body and door glass, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, an aluminum console-mounted plate with the serial number, and a center display unit. Only 660 units will be made.

The Honda S660 and S660 Concept Edition will go on sale in Japan from April 2nd. Pricing has yet to be announced.

Source: Honda

View gallery - 29 images
14 comments
14 comments
Jeffrey A. Edwards
This is an 'April Fools' joke . . . right? My luck, I would be #661 on the list!
The Skud
About time Honda remembered and revisited some original ideas! Many, many years ago I has a two-seater, front engine, independent rear suspension, R-W Drive Honda coupe. It was a straight 6 in line N/S engine, somewhere about 900cc - the pistons were about the size of espresso cups! The diff sat on the back of the gearbox, with short axles and stubs fitted with chain (m'cycle) drive to the rear wheels. Not powerful, not that fast, but the engine sound was wonderful - In those days of slow-revving motors, to see the tacho red-lined at 6-7 thousands RPM at each change was mind-boggling!
The Skud
Please forgive an OAP's fading memory - I think that engine size was probably closer to 600 than 900cc. I do remember it was all roller bearing motorcycle technology though, and shoehorned a little way into the engine bay to fit it in. There was a hatch in the bulkhead so the mechanic was able to get at the rear of the thing!
Tom Lee Mullins
I think that is way cool. I am glad it is being made.
Being on 04/01, there is a chance it is an April Fools Day joke, I hope not.
Bernd Kohler
I hope not. I hope the have the currage to produce the car.
Takuya Yoshida
It's a real production car....but little bit pricey. http://www.honda.co.jp/S660/
Greg Mixson
$16,531 is what I get, not bad.
Kevin Ritchey
We are left out in the cold with high-priced, mediocre-looking Hondas that are now not even being copied by Toyota any longer. Honda has become an "ugh" car with no style or flare. Overpriced S2000 was last gasp at something worthwhile from them. Acura "supercar" of old was another. Once they started building cars here, things went downhill fast. Guess they think Americans just don't care.
nulo
@ The Skud
Think you talking about the S800, but there was a 600 and a 360 4 seaters.
Kiwibird
@ nulo
Your partly right, @ The Skud seems to be talking about the S600, that had sealed roller chain drive to each rear wheel.
I remember reading about the later S800 in a classic car magazine, some years back, and it detailed the red line on the tachometer started at 8000 rpm, and went up to 10,000 rpm!
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