New Honda Beat: Next-Generation Kei Roadster Speculated

Remember the original Beat, Honda's pint-sized, two-seater roadster with the mid-engine, rear-wheel drive layout of the 1990s? Well, Japan's Best Car magazine is doing what it does best by speculating on the return of the Beat in Honda's car range.

Our knowledge of the Japanese language is non-existent so we can't share any details from the article (any help would be hugely appreciated) but we assume from the side air-vents that the design proposal is for a rear-engined roadster - something like the poor man's Porsche.

We don't know if the rendering / story is based on actual inside information or pure speculation, but it would be interesting to hear your say about whether or not a model like this could be successful in markets outside Japan in today's world of downsizing and greener cars.

Source;
http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2009/12/new-honda-beat-next-generation-kei.html

Honda Japan and UK; Mini Honda Jazz variant by 2011

Below is a concept drawing of what the Next Gen Honda Beat may look like....
The successful Honda Jazz is aiming for bigger things. Reports have emerged that a smaller replica of the Honda Jazz is likely to enter Asian and subsequently European markets from 2011.

The new small car from Honda will rival Toyota's iQ and Smart's Fortwo. As per the reports last week, Honda would use the engineering talent in India to a large extent in bringing out this small car. The mini Honda Jazz could use the kei car 'Life' as its underpinnings.

As this is a Honda, irrespective of its price tag, the mini Jazz will be filled with technology. A hybrid variant is planned, but to start with a small turbocharged petrol engine could be utilized.

The car would be marketed as a city car. Honda's Chinese facility could yield this model while talks about Honda's high capacity production line in India, which is currently being constructed, cannot be ruled out as a potential production site.

Can you say....Honda Beat?

Source;

http://www.automotoportal.com/article/mini-honda-jazz-variant-by-2011