Long Lines for the S660

I visited the Tokyo Motor Show for a total of six days, including the public viewing days, and the Honda booth was the most crowded every time. The new mini open-top sports car, the "S660 Concept," was particularly drawing attention. Approaching its stage required queuing, and the line sometimes extended over 50 meters, indicating its immense popularity.


As you know, the S660 Concept is considered the successor to Honda's Beat. The Beat, a midship-layout sports car with a 660cc 3-cylinder SOHC 4-valve engine mounted transversely behind the cockpit and a soft top that could be folded down, was released in May 1991.


At that time, three two-seater sports cars conforming to kei car regulations were released: the Suzuki Cappuccino, the Autozam (Mazda) AZ-1, and the Honda Beat. Among them, the Beat was the most successful, selling about 34,000 units over five years. Even more surprising is its survival rate, the proportion of units still in existence today. It is said that nearly 70 percent of those sold are still running well.

HONDA S660 Concept

HONDA S660 Concept

The S660 Concept unveiled is, as its name suggests, a concept car. The production model is reportedly under development with a target launch in 2015. Its basic configuration, like its predecessor the Beat, is a rear-wheel-drive, two-seater open-top sports car with a mid-mounted 660cc engine.


Perhaps its most striking feature is its mature styling, which belies its classification as a kei car.Previous Tokyo Motor ShowAtEV STERa concept car called the "EV STER" was exhibited, and its overwhelmingly positive reception led to the decision to proceed with the S660 program. The extremely short front and rear overhangs, and the sharp wedge shape with a character line rising in a straight line from front to rear, were both inherited from the EV STER. Incidentally, the design for both was handled by Honda's Yoshio Sugiura.

While the production model is expected to retain this design, the concept car exhibited was actually about 3.5 cm wider than the kei car regulations allow. This was reportedly due to enlarged fenders to accommodate wider tires. However, the production model is expected to strictly adhere to the kei car dimensions.


When I asked designer Mr. Sugiura, "Won't the impression change significantly once it has a yellow license plate?" he replied, "I'm already designing it with the yellow plate in mind." So, there's no doubt about it.

The "EV STER" announced at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show

Many voices were heard at the venue saying, "If the price is under 2 million yen..." However, this may prove difficult. If it slightly exceeds 2 million yen, however, a sports car within reach of ordinary people will finally make its debut. We eagerly await its release in two years.

Rumors of a Third Sports Car Following the S660 and NSX

Honda's other highlight is the "NSX Concept." While largely similar to the version exhibited at other shows, this iteration appeared in a beautiful pearl white. It features a longitudinally mounted V6 direct-injection engine and a three-motor "SPORT HYBRID SH-AWD (Super Handling - All Wheel Drive)" system. By independently driving the left and right front wheels, it aims to achieve agile handling.


What's interesting about this NSX is that its development is primarily centered in America, with an American serving as the overall lead (referred to as LPL by Honda). However, the development of the powertrain is led by Honda's Tochigi Research and Development Center. Furthermore, Ted Klaus, the LPL, although American, is an enthusiast who has piloted Formula cars since his youth due to his father's influence, ensuring a solid understanding of sports cars.


Additionally, he has had in-depth discussions with Shigeru Uehara, the LPL of the first-generation NSX. Therefore, it's safe to assume the new model will be a hybrid sports car that revives the spirit of the original NSX with modern technology.

HONDA NSX Concept

HONDA NSX Concept

Meanwhile, there are persistent rumors that Honda is developing a "third sports car" following the S660 and NSX.


At a recent press event held at Honda's Tochigi R&D center, Yoshiharu Yamamoto, president of Honda Research & Development Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "the R&D center"), acknowledged its existence, stating, "When you have a large and a small, it's natural to want something in the middle. The R&D center is currently working on its development."


However, the R&D center is a company that develops new car models for Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "Honda"), and whether it is ultimately commercialized is strictly a decision for the manufacturer, Honda. That said, it's unlikely the R&D center would begin development without Honda's consent. Therefore, we can look forward to the arrival of a mid-size sports car, possibly a successor to the "S2000."


Additionally, Honda's booth featured the compact electric EV "MC-β," designed to align with the "micro commuter" concept currently being considered by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, as well as the compact SUV "VEZEL" based on the new Fit.