Honda EV-STER headed for production - report

The Honda EV-STER concept was one of the stars at the Tokyo Motor Show and now it appears destined for production.

In an interview with Auto Motor und Sport, Honda CEO Takanobu Ito said the roadster could be offered with electric and petrol powertrains. Additional information is limited, but the magazine speculates the vehicle could be launched as early as 2012.

As we have previously reported, the EV-STER could accelerate from 0-60 km/h (0-37 mph) in 5.0 seconds and travel approximately 160 km (99 miles) on a single charge.

Source;
http://www.worldcarfans.com/111121439030/honda-ev-ster-headed-for-production---report

Honda EV-Ster Concept - Tokyo Motor Show 2011

Honda Exhibits World Premiere of EV-STER the next-generation electric small sports concept

TOKYO, Japan, November 30, 2011 - Honda Motor Co., Ltd. will exhibit the world premiere of the EV-STER, the next-generation electric small sports concept model, at the 42nd Tokyo Motor Show 2011, which will take place at Tokyo Big Sight from Saturday, December 3 through Sunday, December 11, 2011.

Featuring a dynamic and innovative styling design and excellent environmental performance, the EV-STER, an electric rear-wheel-drive two-seater convertible sports car, will propose a new way to enjoy a sports type model which is unique to the electromotive mobility. The adoption of carbon materials made it possible to reduce the vehicle weight contributing to the vehicle's high driving performance and range of approximately 160km. The easy-to-operate twin-lever steering was adopted for the thorough pursuit of the joy of driving. Moreover, the new concept model enables the driver to make his/her own adjustments to some vehicle characteristics such as motor output and suspension settings, to embody the joy of maneuvering to the fullest extent.

Furthermore, the instrument panel features not only meters, but also the vehicle information display which enables the driver to enjoy driving as well as the network display used for the audio and navigation systems and also for the internet access. The well-designed layout of the meters and displays enables the driver to concentrate on driving and enjoy the comfortable space.

Honda remains committed to developing sports models beyond the expectations of its customers and offering exciting and thrilling mobility products.

Key specifications of the EV-STER

Vehicle length 3,570mm

Vehicle width 1,500mm

Vehicle height 1,100mm

Wheelbase 2,325mm

Maximum speed 160km/h

Acceleration (0-60km/h) 5.0 sec

Maximum range Approximately 160km (JC08 mode)

Battery 10kWh lithium-ion battery

Maximum battery output 58kW

Charging time

200V: under 3 hours

100V: under 6 hours

Source;

http://www.hondanews.info/news/en/auto/4111130eng

Honda & Daihatsu ready roadster Kei cars!

Here's a nice illustration on the cover of Japan's Best Car Magazine of Honda's potential successor to the Honda Beat roadster, with Daihatsu's (Toyota owns 51%) next offering of the Copen successor. Looks nice.

Source;
http://jp-cardesigncorner.blogspot.com/2011/11/honda-daihatsu-ready-roadster-kei-cars.html

Another Next Gen Honda BEAT Illustration?

Honda has been working on a next gen Beat and here could be one redition of the car....
Source;
http://www.burlappcars.com/2011/09/hondas-miata-fighter-coming-up.html

2013 Honda Beat Update

www.vtec.net member: Terencemunro



According to the German Car Magazine AUTOBILD, Honda is developing a new version of the Honda Beat which will be introduced in 2013. They say it will base on the CR-Z platform an has up to 170 hp. Honda will also offer a dualclutch transmission from the Honda Bike VFR1200F Starting price is 14'000euro



Source;

http://www.vtec.net/forums/one-message?message_id=995950

http://www.autobild.de/artikel/honda-beat-neuauflage-1875765.html

BESTCAR Front Cover: Next Gen Honda Beat Rendering

Let's hope that if they do 'green light' something like this that we see this here in North America.

Source;

http://jp-cardesigncorner.blogspot.com/2011/07/latest-rendering-of-upcoming-honda-beat.html

Honda Beat Successor Rumored With Dual-Clutch Transmission

Beat it, just Beat it! Honda is looking to revive its adorable, legendary (adoregendary?) kei-class convertible, the Lilliputian Beat, this time with motorcycle technology.

The last Beat was built from 1991 to 1996 and featured a 650cc engine in the middle, three cylinders, 63 horsepower, rear-wheel drive, and a name that endlessly amuses Westerners. The next Beat, however, will presumably be bigger than that. It will also feature a dual-clutch transmission—for the first time in a Honda—borrowed from the “Shamu” VFR1200F, and attached to a 1.3- or 1.5-liter VTEC four-cylinder.

Rumors have it that the car would resemble the OSM concept shown above and also share a chassis on the CR-Z, which might diminish some of the Beat’s original tiny cuteness. As long as it’s not saddled as a hybrid, the next Beat should still be fun. Gotta Beat ‘em while you can, Honda.

Source;
http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2011/06/honda-beat-successor-rumored-with-dual-clutch-transmission.html

Don't Call it a Comeback....Honda Beat

Well, where there's usually this much smoke, there's fire....
Successor to tiny Nineties’ drop-top is on way

By Peter Lyon
10th June 2011

The Beat goes on, Auto Express can reveal. Sources in Japan say that Honda will combine the best of its car and motorcycle technologies to create a front-wheel-drive, two-seater sports coupé successor to the Nineties Beat.

The original was a 3.3-metre-long drop-top, produced between 1991 and 1996, that had a 660cc engine to take advantage of Japanese tax breaks. The reborn Beat coupé will be based on the platform of the petrol-electric CR-Z two-door, but employ a smaller body with shorter overhangs, and is likely to take cues from Honda’s OSM concept car.

It is rumoured to incorporate one of the firm’s next-generation petrol engines: either the 1.3 or 1.5-litre advanced VTEC, due to appear in the company’s production cars from next year. Our spies tell us that a hybrid is not being considered for the coupé, although stop-start will feature.

The engine bosses eventually choose will be hooked up to the company’s first-ever dual-clutch transmission for cars. This set-up is borrowed and adapted from Honda’s VFR1200F motorcycle.

Targeting coupés such as the next Mazda MX-5 and recently launched Renault Wind, the newcomer is due in dealers in late 2013. It’s expected to cost less than £20,000, and will be sold in the US as well as Europe.

Source: http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/autoexpressnews/268912/beat_is_back.html#ixzz1Pdhoh8OJ

Next Gen Honda Beat getting closer?!?

Straight from www.woodyscarsite.com ;

"Only 33,600 sold from 1991-1996. It is already a classic by Honda standards and the last model to be approved from Mr. Honda himself. The Beat's aim was to challenge the Suzuki Cappuccino and the future Smart Roadster if the model would have continued. It's failure might have been the lack of power. No turbo or supercharger was ever offered to its 656cc engine. Can you blame customers?20 some years later with the advancement of VTEC, Honda can easily afford to spawn a newer version. With the S2000 out of the spotlight, it is an easy win."

Source;
http://www.woodyscarsite.com/2011/06/revival-new-honda-beat-convertible.html

Below are some earlier sketches of the vehilce. I think this would fit nicely into Honda's lineup.

Honda to Fuse S2000 and Beat Into One

Small, Rear-Drive, Mid-Engine Roadster on the Drawing Board

The Honda S2000 was recently killed and the Honda Beat 660cc minicar of 1991 all but forgotten, but in a strange comeback story, they both may live again -- fused into the one car. We have just caught word from a source close to Honda that the company is busy at work 'molding' the two together in a radical new project that is taking shape inside the halls of Tochigi's R&D Centre just north of Tokyo. Dropped onto a modified Fit (Jazz) platform, the new roadster will apparently employ a rear mid-engined layout. An illustration of what the new car could become is depicted.

It's an intriguing new sports car plan from a company that doesn't really have much left in that genre short of the Civic Si and the hybrid CR-Z (the Civic Type R will cease production in August). We did some background research and discovered that Honda has lodged a patent pending in Japan to build a roadster using a subframe and parts from current cars but adding technology to lower curb weight and reduce production costs. The patent actually refers to the "engine being fitted to a center frame" which translates from Japanese to mid-engined and rear-wheel drive. So it will no doubt be lightweight and have good front-rear weight distribution at the same time.

But whether that "mid-engine" refers to a hybrid, fully electric or fuel cell is still unclear. In recent years, Honda has dabbled in all three alternative forms of propulsion, so it's anyone's guess which way they will lean. It's unlikely the automaker will build the car with a gasoline engine option as that would restrict its international application. And if there's anything the company wants, it's to make this car a global success. Don't expect to see this car on the road before 2014.

In other rear-wheel drive compact coupe news, as we've reported, Toyota too is in the process of developing a vehicle, but it will be a gas-powered, 1.5-liter two-door based on the hot hatch concept from GRMN that it debuted at last January's Tokyo Auto Salon. For those who haven't been paying attention to the company's racing exploits at Nurburgring recently, GRMN stands for Gazoo Racing - Meister of Nurburgring. Called a mini-FT-86 in Japan, the new compact coupe is expected in showrooms by early 2013.

Source;

http://www.4wheelsnews.com/honda-working-on-a-small-rear-drive-mid-engined-roadster/

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

Toyota planning new compact sports car based on iQ

Yes! It is true! The era of compact sports cars is almost here! The latest reports from the Japan’s Best Car Magazine indicate that Toyota is planning a new vehicle based on the iQ city car which will make its debut next year.

According to our sources the upcoming car will be fun to drive and will carry a 1.3-liter gasoline engine, which in our opinion, will be more than enough to enjoy the small convertible. The new car will come with a price tag of $20,300 (2 million Yen). But this is not the only good news we have: Honda is also planning a successor for the old Beat! Now we have to wait and see the response from Mazda! More details to be revealed!

Source;
http://www.4wheelsnews.com/toyota-planning-new-compact-sports-car-based-on-iq/

Original Honda Beat Information

With all this talk about the Honda Beat making a 'comeback' (don't know if this car would be destined for North America or just Japan like the original), I thought I'd do some digging in to the Original Beat.
The Honda Beat is a small sportscar, that fits the regulations of a keicar. It is a convertible and has a midengine. The production began in May 1991 and finished in February 1996. The total number of cars produced was around 33,600. Most of the production (around 2/3) occurred in the first year, and then production and sales reduced drastically. There were two different models of Beat (PP1-100 and PP1-110), although there were a couple of different limited edition versions as well. 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 drivers-side airbag. In typical Honda Fashion, the Beat's engine did not utilize a turbocharger or supercharger. The 660 cc engine was modified with the MTREC system, which included one throttle valve for each of the 3 cylinders, to produce 64 horsepower (48 kW). Only manual transmission was available. The MTREC design will filter down to the 1993 Honda Today keicar. The Beat is part of a wave of keicar-sized sports cars in the late 80s -- 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 wouldn't see a new model of the genre until the recent Daihatsu Copen.

Source;
http://www.hondabeat.dk/