Honda isn’t any stranger to creating quick automotive automobiles, whether or not it is sports activities vehicles or high-performance bikes constructed for on and off the racetrack. Whereas Honda initially had roots within the motorbike business, it dove headfirst into manufacturing vehicles a pair a long time later. By 1963, Honda had launched its first passenger automobile, the S500, and has produced a number of different fashions since then, together with one tiny sports activities automobile with a familiar-looking identify: the S660.
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In 2015, Honda launched the S660 within the Japanese auto market as an addition to its line of small vehicles. Identified for its turning-friendly capabilities, the Honda S660 was a automobile of contradictions: compact however open. Regardless of its Kei-sized physique, the open-air cabin and high-speed turning capabilities are simply a few of the causes that it made our listing of small vehicles which can be enjoyable to drive. In any case, generally two seats, a mid-sized engine, and the wind in your face is greater than sufficient for a great time.
Nonetheless, regardless of being one of many finest Honda sports activities vehicles ever made, it by no means made it out of Japanese soil and Honda made the choice to drop the S660 from its lineup in 2021. Though, in the identical 12 months, it did launch the Modulo X Model Z, which was the final mannequin for its S660 automobiles. So, if it is so beloved and iconic, why did Honda cease making it?
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Why Honda reduce the S660 from its roster
Though Honda did not disclose the official cause why it wanted to retire the S660, there are a few issues that occurred round this time that give us a couple of clues. In 2019, Japan joined the listing of nations that agreed to the United Nation’s push for requiring superior emergency braking methods (AEBS) for newly manufactured vehicles and light-weight business automobiles, which was set to be applied in 2022. For those who issue within the further laws on passenger car gasoline financial system requirements that took impact in 2020, this may have required Honda to make large adjustments within the S660 (that will not have been possible).
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To not point out, a 12 months earlier than the S660 was edged out, Nikkei reported Japan’s 2050 objective for reaching net-zero emissions from the automotive business. This sustainability objective included anticipated emissions from a car’s end-to-end lifecycle, which incorporates manufacturing and passenger use. Within the years that adopted, Japan made a number of different strikes towards a fossil fuel-free future, resembling growing subsidies for home EV battery producers, and its efforts appear to be paying off to date. As of 2024, Reuters shared some promising outcomes with Japan’s sustainability initiatives with the nation clocking in record-breaking emissions reductions.
Throughout that point, Honda has produced some fairly nice electrical automobiles, just like the Honda CR-V PHEV and Honda e:NP1. In 2024, Honda’s dedication to the EV motion in North America hasn’t slowed down with plans beneath option to open manufacturing services in Canada.
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Mourning the compact Honda vehicles of the previous
Sadly, the S660 is not the one beloved tiny automobile in Honda’s storage heaven that by no means made it to America. Prior to now, the U.S. additionally missed out on the Honda N-Field and the quirky, fever dream that was the Honda Metropolis Turbo II (together with its Motocompo scooter).
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Earlier this 12 months, we mentioned the continuing development of small vehicles getting greater. After all, whereas there is a myriad of the reason why that is occurring, from current tech limitations to authorized necessities and the necessity for added utility house, it is positively okay to mourn the lack of fashions that may have been excellent for you.
That stated, if you need a chunk of the little sports activities automobile that by no means left Japanese shores, you may get the die-cast mannequin variations of the Honda S660 as an alternative. On eBay, you could find loads of listings for the Honda S660 die-cast fashions which vary (on the time of writing) from the 1:56 Tomica ($16.87) to the 1:64 Grasp Mugen S-Collection ($27.38) and the 1:43 Ebbro ($125.63).
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