The Beat Goes On? Honda reportedly looking at successor to kei-roadster
Kei cars have a huge following in Japan and no model has benefited from the sub-sub-compact's cult status more than the Honda Beat. Originally introduced in 1991, the 64-hp Beat was a boon for enthusiasts on a budget, with a 660cc three-cylinder mounted amidships and delivering power to the rear wheels. When production ended over a decade ago, it left a gaping hole in Honda's line-up between the Zest and S2000, and if recent reports are to be believed, the situation will be rectified in 2011.
According to Best Car, Honda is hard at work on the Beat's successor, but unfortunately, the previous model's mid-engine layout and rear-wheel drive won't be employed on the next generation. Using the same platform and 660cc engine found underneath the Life and Zest, the next Beat's engine will be mounted up front, sending power to the front wheels. There's also talk of an all-wheel drive variant, but consumers in Japan shouldn't hold their breath. Pricing and a release date haven't been disclosed, but we wouldn't be surprised to find a Beat concept on the floor of the Tokyo Motor Show later this year.
[Source: 7Tune]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
fugin777 3:35PM (4/16/2009)
first :) lol
just kidding just kidding
it looks like another boring car with a nice face lift :/
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Stumpy 3:37PM (4/16/2009)
So, like a slow Miata... Still could be fun though.
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Dave 3:43PM (4/16/2009)
A slow, really, really inexpensive Miata. I'd be on board for that! A roadster is so small and unpractical anyway (spare me your story about moving from one apartment to another using nothing but a Miata in one trip) that I'd be willing to forsake performance in order to put the top down and enjoy the sun!
Bloke 4:02PM (4/16/2009)
No, the Beat was kei-class. Far, far smaller than an MX-5/Miata. Barely larger chassis than a Smart ForTwo.
the_MVP_X 4:12PM (4/16/2009)
Witch sucks, I can live with Miata size, but Smart, give me a brake.
Stumpy 4:18PM (4/16/2009)
Yeah, I own a MazdaSpeed Miata and it is small. I would like to try out one of those kei-roadsters, just to see what is it like to drive.
ginitro 8:30PM (4/16/2009)
Umm, it might be, but really this design would be great for a new S2000, to bad we won't have one.
Bloke 12:33PM (4/17/2009)
The old Beat didn't need to be powerful to make it fun. It was so light anyway and handled like a go-cart. The Daihatsu Copen and Suzuki Cappucino (both of which were sold here officially unlike the Beat which was always a personal import) used the same format and again, immensely fun to drive. Too bad the Smart Roadster died a death, since that one was the most attractive of all.
JasonK 3:43PM (4/16/2009)
Honda will most definitely find a market for a car like this one. They just need to price it aggressively.
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s13hybrid 12:12PM (4/17/2009)
If this was priced in the low teens (wishful thinking), then this would sell like hotcakes to the high school girl market.
I am not saying it is a girls car, I would personally buy one and just play around with it (turbo anyone?) just for fun and because it was super cheap (if priced where I would hope).
Of course I would have to be able to fit in one first. :-(
cliff 3:54PM (4/16/2009)
It would be WAY better if they left it rear-engine, rear-drive.
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Mother_Russia 7:13PM (4/16/2009)
i doubt it.
Honda, FWD, low torque is their main formula.....it cannot be changed. :)
NicoArgentino 12:17AM (4/17/2009)
Like the NSX and the S2000, right?
RG 3:55PM (4/16/2009)
Didn't we already see a concept from Honda just like this based on the CR-Z??
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StickShift 4:06PM (4/16/2009)
Yes, except it was Miata/S2000 sized. I think Best Car even used the basic OSM design for the rendering above.
http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/22/london-2008-honda-osm-concept-roadster-says-cheerio/
ronEbear 3:57PM (4/16/2009)
It`ll never come to America unless they re-organize the cockpit as a one-seater!
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Jsams4131 4:02PM (4/16/2009)
Just give us RWD for crying out loud!. this would be perfect! the design looks good imo. if the photo is representative of it.
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JasonK 4:05PM (4/16/2009)
This car will definitely not receive a RWD treatment if it ever sees the light of production; that's what the S2000/its succesor is for.
Jsams4131 4:12PM (4/16/2009)
It says in the post that its making the successor to the beat. it never said the S2000 was the successor.
"When production ended over a decade ago, it left a gaping hole in Honda's line-up between the Zest and S2000, and if recent reports are to be believed, the situation will be rectified in 2011."
"According to Best Car, Honda is hard at work on the Beat's successor [not S2000], but unfortunately, the previous model's mid-engine layout and rear-wheel drive won't be employed on the next generation. Using the same platform and 660cc engine found underneath the Life and Zest, the next Beat's engine will be mounted up front, sending power to the front wheels."
the_MVP_X 4:10PM (4/16/2009)
Dang small cars.
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