Honda Gasoline Engine Chronicles (Part 8: Ax Series Inline-4 Engines)

🌟 Knowledge Series: Honda Gasoline Engine Chronicles (Part 8: Ax Series Inline-4 Engines)
🚗 Original by Honda誌 | JDM Enthusiasts’ Journal | Updated Today 🚗

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🚘 Honda’s Journey into Automobile Manufacturing
Honda’s history in automobile manufacturing is short compared to its European rivals, many of which predate WWII. 🌍 Honda’s first mass-produced car, the T360 mini-truck, debuted on August 1, 1963. 🚛 This Kei-Car pickup marked the beginning of Honda’s automotive journey. 💪 Equipped with the AK250E inline-four water-cooled engine, the T360 packed:
💡 354cc displacement, 30 hp at 8,500 rpm, and 2.7 kg·m torque at 6,500 rpm—a remarkable feat for its 610 kg chassis. 🌟

🤔 Did You Know?
Some believe the S500 was Honda’s first production car. However, while the S500 and its predecessor, the S360, were developed earlier, their sales began in late 1963, with deliveries starting in 1964. 📆
🏆 The T360 retains the title of Honda’s first production car.

🚀 The Pioneering T360

The T360 was powered by the AK250E engine—a groundbreaking DOHC inline-four design. 💡 With all-aluminum construction, water cooling, and a carburetor-per-cylinder setup, it outperformed competitors producing only ~20 hp. 🔧
This technological innovation set the foundation for Honda’s future engine designs.

By 1964, the T360 evolved into the T500, featuring a modified version of the S500 engine with 38 hp. 🛻 Between 1963 and 1967, over 100,000 T360/T500 units were produced, symbolizing Honda’s pivotal role in Japan’s post-war recovery. 🇯🇵

🏎️ From S360 to S800: Honda’s Sports Car Legacy

Honda’s S360, an open-top sports car, never reached production. ❌ However, its design influenced the S500 and S600, Honda’s first export sports cars. 🌎

S500 and AS280E Engine

🚗 The S500 debuted in 1963, powered by the AS280E engine.
📏 Specifications:

• Displacement: 531cc
• Horsepower: 44 hp at 8,000 rpm
• Torque: 4.6 kg·m at 4,500 rpm
  Though short-lived, it paved the way for Honda’s high-performance sports cars.

S600 and AS285E Engine

Released in 1964, the S600 featured the AS285E engine.
📏 Specifications:

• Displacement: 606cc
• Horsepower: 57 hp at 8,500 rpm
• Torque: 5.2 kg·m at 5,500 rpm

Its high-revving design made it an automotive marvel. 🌟 The coupe variant maintained stellar performance despite its added weight.

S800 and AS800E Engine

Launched in 1966, the S800 marked the peak of Honda’s early sports cars. 💯
📏 Specifications:

• Displacement: 791cc
• Horsepower: 70 hp at 8,000 rpm
• Torque: 6.7 kg·m at 5,500 rpm

With over 11,000 units produced, it remained Honda’s most successful sports car until the S2000 in 1999.

🚙 L700 and L800: Balancing Utility and Performance

In 1965, Honda introduced the L700 and P700 models. 🛻 These versatile vehicles, akin to modern SUVs, utilized simplified versions of the S600’s AS285E engine.
📏 Output: 52–58 hp, balancing performance with practicality.

🔥 The Unique H1300E Engine

The H1300E, developed for the 1969 Honda 1300, was Honda’s only air-cooled car engine, inspired by F1 technology. 🏎️ Featuring Duo Dyna Air Cooling (DDAC), it delivered up to 115 hp but suffered from excessive weight and complex design, leading to its discontinuation in 1972.

🌟 Stay tuned for the next installment, exploring Honda’s Ex series engines—powerhouses that defined the 1970s!

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