While the general approach of Japanese car manufacturers nowadays is to pander to the needs of the majority (your average car buyer), it doesn’t mean that the engineers behind these products don’t crave something a little more entertaining to drive. The result of their efforts are usually shown through striking concept cars that rarely make it to the production phase.
But Honda has decided to put their 660 into production- a model which had it’s concept debut back in 2013. The car is designed to be light weight, which makes it nimble and quick without the need for excessive power. It’s also designed to be compact, making it easily driveable around town.
Judging from this leaked specification sheet (which is starkly low res and entirely in Japanese), the car is set to be around 960 kg, with a power output of 47 kw (or 63 hp). It doesn’t sound very promising, but Honda has a knack for producing cars that seem poor on paper, but excel in the real world. The 63 hp power figure is very specific: it refers to Kei car laws in Japan that limit cars to a maximum of 63 hp in order to qualify for the special taxing applied to the class.
If the production model is true to the concept, the 660 will be a pure 2-seater roadster with a removable roof (or none entirely). You can see styling cues in line with the current Honda product lineup, specifically the CR-Z.
It is said to be the spiritual successor to the Honda Beat, which was a mid-engine, rear-wheel drive sporty Kei car that Honda produced close to 3 decades ago. If that’s anything to go by, then the Honda 660 should be a blast to drive when it is launched- though don’t expect it to come to our shores through official channels.
