The successor to the Honda Beat were rumored before the Honda S660 appeared at the 2013 Tokyo Auto Show, and now it’s a reality. The sporty mid engine, rear wheel drive roadster definitely looks the part, and will be sold in limited numbers initially. Coupled with the confirmation that the new Honda Civic Type R Turbo is arriving stateside, the new S660 Roadster signals a new era of Honda performance.
Built on a legacy of mid engine rear wheel drive performance, the new S660 roadster is sold as a Concept Edition. Keeping the tradition of Honda white, the concept roadster comes in Premium Star White Pearl with genuine leather and Suede seating material.
Other models of the S660 will come in various exterior colors and seat options, but the proof is in the pudding. Honda’s engineers set out to redesign a roadster that will capture Honda’s “Heart Beat Sport”, and the new S660 roadster is meant to handle between a full fledged road race track car and the adventurous canyon carver.
With a three cylinder turbocharged 660cc (that’s .66 liters for those counting at home) engine mated to a six speed transmission or CVT sports transmission, the new S660 roadster is estimated to put down around 63 horsepower.
With a high degree of rigidity and handling out of the box, the new S660 roadster is meant to replicate a go-kart feel. With a 45/55 weight split and Honda’s new Agile Handling Assist mode that uses brake bias and torque to provide maximum grip and handling performance.
The CVT transmission found in the S660 will be operated through the use of steering wheel paddle shifters. The interior of the new S660 roadster is fine tuned to provide a sporty feel and sound, while providing all the grip you need.
Other specifications for the new S660 roadster include a center mounted climate control system and a leather wrapped steering wheel. The mid mounted glass partition can also be raised and lowered much like the older Honda Del Sol models, regardless of soft-top location or position.
It’s a bit quirky of the limited production run definitely doesn’t look promising for US Honda fans, but could the new S660 roadster signal a new S2000? This could really be interesting especially if the new Honda Civic Type R Turbo is a huge success, could this mean a Honda Earth Dreams turbo VTEC engine in the new rear wheel S2000?
What is the Honda Earth Dreams Engine?
With the application of variable valve motion technology such as Honda’s unique VTEC along with direct injection turbocharging with highly-fluidized combustion and a thorough reduction in engine friction, the new Earth Dreams engine represents the pinnacle of Honda engineering. This engine achieves class-leading output and environmental performance, while downsizing engine displacement.
Specifications :
- 2.0 L 4-cylinder direct injection gasoline turbo engine – This high output engine is rated at 280 HP and will meet or surpass the environmental emissions standard EURO 6, which will be enacted in 2014 as the new standard in Europe for emissions.
- 1.5 L 4-cylinder direct injection gasoline turbo engine – These are smaller engines meant for the smaller compacts, while retaining the legendary VTEC variable valve train system, a small frame turbocharger with low levels of lag and high response, and direct injection technology to achieve good balance between high output and torque as well as fuel economy.
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