Pint-size Honda S660 takes shape

Honda’s funky little S660 mini-roadster made a surprise appearance at the company's Takasu winter proving ground on Japan’s northern-most island of Hokkaido this week.

Covered in camouflage, Honda's all-new 660cc three-cylinder turbocharged two-door 'Kei-car' appeared in production form for the first time, with Honda CEO Takanobu Ito in attendance.

The mini-car incorporates basically the same specification as the concept shown at this year’s Tokyo Auto Salon, but adds a few new features to bring it in line with standard road-going cars like a hand brake located on the centre console, a manually-operated vinyl roof and more practical switches.

The S660 is actually a spiritual successor to the Honda Beat mini-car launched in 1991 and, like that coupe, the new S660 boasts a mid-engined, rear-wheel drive layout.

The mini-roadster’s powerplant will generate upwards of 48kW and is mated to a choice of either six-speed manual or CVT gearboxes, the latter with flappy paddles.

That may not sound like much, but when you're talking about a coupe that weighs around 850 kg, 48kW takes on a whole new meaning.

One source tells us that Honda R&D is currently testing an export model – rumoured to be called the S1000 ? that will be fitted with a more powerful 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine, plus a wider body and bigger wheels.

We tested just such an engine in a Civic prototype last year and it packed a real punch with more than 104kW. Honda’s racing arm Mugen (which is currently putting the final touches on the McLaren-Honda F1 engine for 2015) will have a pivotal role in fine-tuning the hotter S660.

Slated for a mid-March debut, the S660 is expected in Japanese showrooms by early April, priced from around $A21,000. Let’s hope Honda's final preparations for the NSX launch in the second half of this year, as well as its long-awaited comeback to Formula One don’t delay plans for the export S660.