Hotter 95kW export version of pint-size Honda sportster receives green-light, and a S660 Type R is in the pipeline too
Pumping out just 47kW by weighing only 830kg, the sharp, wedge-shaped two-seater boasts a unique chassis, six-speed gearbox, bespoke Yokohama rubber and is an absolute blast to drive.
We've also mentioned a couple of times that sources inside the company have hinted at a more powerful 95kW S1000 export version.
Now, latest news from Honda’s Tochigi R&D centre two hours north of Tokyo is that the wide-body S1000 export variant has been green-lighted, and the images of the yellow car pictured here are artist’s impression published in the latest edition of Japan’s Best Car magazine.
Powered by a new 1.0 litre turbo VTEC powerplant that’s destined to also drive the company’s new domestic-only Freed mini-van from next year, the 200mm-wider and 150mm-longer S1000 will not only get wider tyres but also a hard roof and a unique ‘snorkel-type’ roof air-intake to cool the engine, thus differentiating it from the S660.
But there’s more. Honda also has an S660 Type R in the pipeline. Best Car magazine has also run an artist’s sketch of what this coupe will look like — pictured here in white, with the rear wing and hard-top.
The power that the Type R generates is a reflection of the state of today’s 660cc turbo engines. One source inside Honda says that such high-performance kei-car engines are actually hard to keep below the self-imposed Japanese mini-car power limit of 47kW.
“These three-cylinder turbos are so hi-tech now that without even trying they pump out roughly 60kW. But for the Type R, Honda wants a three-figure number – yes 100hp (about 75kW). And we’ve got that,” said our source.
Japan’s 47kW kei-car limit is imposed to minimise both CO2 emissions and performance, but pressure from the US to abolish this regulation and open up Japan’s mini-car market (which accounts for more than 40 per cent of all cars sold in Japan) to overseas competition looks certain to eventuate by mid-2016 in the wake of Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations.
Mid-2016 also happens to be the time when current Japan Automobile Manufacturers’ Association chairman Fukihiko Ike, who also happens to be Honda’s chairman, steps down.
In the typical custom of self-restraint practiced by Japan’s car-makers, Ike and Honda will not push for the abolishment of the 47kW upper limit – and the introduction of the hot S660 Type R – until the time is right.
Reeling from multiple model recalls and the Takata airbag fiasco, Honda is not in a position to take the lead in any major upheaval at present.
“But once all of the pieces are in place, around mid to late 2016, we can expect to see the 100hp (75kW) Type R land in showrooms,” says our source.
You pay for the technology and handling prowess though. The entry-level S660 is priced at 1.98 million yen ($A21,300) in Japan, but the S660 Type R is expected to hover around 2.5m yen ($A27,000), while the flagship S1000 will come in at about 2.8m yen ($30,200).
Source;
http://www.motoring.com.au/news/2015/sports/honda/honda-s1000-is-go-50581
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