Honda Beat

Infobox Automobile


name = Honda Beat
aka =
manufacturer = Honda
parent_company =
production = 1991–1996
assembly =
predecessor =
successor =
class = Kei car
platform =
body_style = 2-door roadster
engine = "E07A" convert|656|cc|cuin|abbr=on I3,
SOHC 12v
transmission = 5-speed manual transmission
suspension = MacPherson at front and rear
steering = rack and pinion
brakes = front and rear disc
wheelbase = convert|2280|mm|in|abbr=on
length = convert|3295|mm|in|abbr=on
width = convert|1395|mm|in|abbr=on
height = convert|1175|mm|in|abbr=on
ground_clearance = convert|135|mm|in|abbr=on
front_track = convert|1210|mm|in|abbr=on
rear_track = convert|1210|mm|in|abbr=on
weight = convert|760|kg|lb|abbr=on
fuel_economy = 5.8 l/100 km
fuel_capacity =
luggage_capacity = Optional luggage rack with 20kg limit
related =
similar = Autozam AZ-1
Daihatsu Copen
Suzuki Cappuccino
designer = Pininfarina

The Honda Beat is a mid-engined two-seat roadster "kei car" produced from in May 1991 to February 1996. The Beat was the last car to be approved by Soichiro Honda before he died in 1991. The total number of cars produced was around 33,600. Most of the production (around two-thirds) occurred in the first year, and then production and sales fell drastically. The design of the car originated from Pininfarina, who then sold the design plan to Honda.

There were two mainstream models of the Beat (the PP1-100 and the PP1-110) and a couple of limited edition versions. Variations on the first model were just cosmetic updates. Only the second model had any real mechanical differences. All cars were offered with the option of a driver's side airbag.

In typical Honda fashion, the Beat's engine did not utilize a turbocharger or supercharger. The convert|656|cc|cuin|abbr=on engine was modified with the MTREC (Multi Throttle Responsive Engine Control) system, which included one throttle valve for each of the three cylinders, to produce convert|64|PS|bhp|abbr=on at 8100 rpm. Only a manual transmission was available. The MTREC design would filter down to the 1993 Honda Today kei car.

The Beat was part of a wave of kei car-sized sports cars in the early 1990s; its competitors included the Suzuki Cappuccino and Mazda's Autozam AZ-1. Together they predicted the arrival of the Smart Roadster over a decade later, while Japan would not see a new model of the genre until the recent Daihatsu Copen.

External links

* [http://www.kei-cars.com/index_files/beat_info.htm Honda Beat Specifications via Kei Cars]
* [http://www.honda.co.jp/factbook/auto/BEAT/19910515/index.html Information from Honda ja icon]
* [http://www.u-ukhbc.co.uk/SPEC.HTM More Specifications on UK owners club]