The Halo of Honda Sports Cars: The Story of a Mini Supercar from 30 Years Ago
Original by Honda誌 | 日系車迷誌 | 2024-12-02 11:00:00
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In recent years, people have humorously nicknamed Honda models like the Civic and Fit with titles such as "heaven-defying" or "supercars." However, as a true Honda enthusiast, if you have even a basic understanding of Honda's nearly 60-year history of automobile development, you'd realize such comments are ill-intentioned, even derogatory. These remarks often come from bystanders who know little about Honda’s legacy. Throughout Honda's history, the truly powerful and high-driving-pleasure models have never been mass-market models like the Fit or Civic, which are profit-driven. Instead, they are spiritual flagships—models that represent Honda's engineering philosophy, even if each car was a financial loss. These are the models that uphold Honda's car-making culture.
🚗✨ In recent years, Honda's Civic and Fit models have often been humorously tagged as “heaven-defying” or “supercars.” However, as a true Honda fan 🏎️, it’s clear such comments are ill-informed. 😅 Honda’s history is filled with iconic models designed for ultimate driving pleasure—even if creating them came at a loss.
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From a design originating in the Pininfarina studio, later acquired by Honda, came the vehicle playfully known as the "Baby NSX"—the Beat—nicknamed "Beat仔" in the enthusiast community.
Dreams from the 1980s
Starting in the mid-1980s, as I began absorbing car culture, I identified my dream car: Ferrari. Like many young people at the time, I was drawn to Ferrari’s looks. However, as I gained more knowledge, I realized the appearance was merely a trick to captivate the average car enthusiast. Ferrari’s corporate ethos revolves around "the endless pursuit of speed." This philosophy informed all their engineering and craftsmanship. As I developed an appreciation for mechanical beauty, I began looking at other carmakers and discovered Honda had a similar ethos.
The Beat as a New MR Icon
In 1991, I first saw the newly released Honda Beat in an international car magazine. As someone who views the MR (Mid-Engine Rear-Wheel Drive) layout as the pinnacle of automotive engineering, I was electrified—it was like being high on dopamine! I realized that owning an MR car didn’t have to be out of reach. Back then, Europe had small MR cars like the Fiat X1/9 and Toyota MR2 (AW11). In an old edition of New Car World, the AW11 was priced under 200,000 yen—just one-tenth the cost of a Ferrari 328GTB. Suddenly, the dream of owning an MR car seemed achievable!
Though the Honda Beat was a Kei-Car with a modest 660cc engine producing only 64hp, I can confidently say that its driving dynamics were no less exciting than MR2-class cars of the same era.
A Farewell from Soichiro Honda
The Honda Beat officially debuted on May 16, 1991, with Soichiro Honda himself attending the event. Sadly, he passed away on August 5, 1991, making the Beat the last model he personally unveiled.
The Beat’s design emphasized compactness and simplicity. Its height was a mere 1175mm, making it the lowest among Japanese cars of the time. Despite being a Kei-Car, it came equipped with advanced features such as four-wheel disc brakes, SRS airbags, and side-impact beams, which were unprecedented in this segment.
Interior and Driving Experience
The cockpit design was motorcycle-inspired, with the dashboard entirely driver-focused. The center console was shifted 20mm towards the passenger side, giving the driver more space. Powered by the E07A 660cc 3-cylinder SOHC engine, the Beat reached its 64hp peak at 8100rpm, while the torque peak of 6.1kg-m occurred at 7000rpm.
Honda achieved this without a turbocharger, opting instead for MTREC (Multi Throttle Responsive Engine Control) technology, similar to multi-throttle systems seen in Honda motorcycles. This setup emphasized high-revving power delivery, ensuring the Beat was thrilling to drive. Unlike typical Kei-Cars with turbochargers, the Beat offered a unique linear power delivery that made it a delight for enthusiasts.
Driving Dynamics
The Beat featured McPherson strut suspension at both ends, with longitudinal stabilizers enhancing its handling. Its natural, agile handling allowed it to emulate larger MR cars in corners. It handled with poise and stability, embodying the essence of Honda's engineering prowess.
The Beat’s lightweight chassis and eager engine made it a joy to drive. While it lacked luxuries like effective soundproofing and climate control, its raw driving experience overshadowed these inconveniences.
Limited Editions and Legacy
The Honda Beat saw several limited editions during its production:
Version F (February 1992): Limited to 800 units, painted in Aztec Green Pearl.
Version C (May 1992): Limited to 500 units, featuring Pearl Blue paint and white alloy wheels.
Version Z (December 1993): Introduced in Everygrade Green.
Production of the Honda Beat ceased in October 1995, with a total output of 30,389 units. Though discontinued, its legacy lives on, with Honda reintroducing official replacement parts in 2017. The Beat's spiritual successor, the Honda S660, debuted on March 30, 2015, continuing its lineage.
Technical Specifications
Model Code: PP1
Configuration: Two-seater, mid-engine rear-wheel drive
Dimensions (L×W×H): 3295 × 1395 × 1175mm
Weight: 760kg
Engine: E07A, 3-cylinder, SOHC, 656cc
Max Output: 64hp at 8100rpm
Torque: 6.1kg-m at 7100rpm
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Suspension: Front and rear McPherson with longitudinal stabilizers
Tires: Front 155/65R13; Rear 165/60R14
(Video sourced from Honda official video; all rights belong to the original producer. We are merely sharers.)
Publication Date: December 2, 2024
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