Just like choosing clothes to use, size is important because it can determine what style or fashion you like. Not much different in the choice of a vehicle, the size or dimensions of the vehicle, apart from the level of accommodation required, can also reflect the style of the user.
In the past few decades, the trend of large-sized cars has begun to be the choice of many automotive consumers, such as SUV or MPV 7 seater models . However, there are times when the trend of car models also leads to cars with very small dimensions, which are even smaller than the LCGC hatchback cars that we see today.
Kei Car Trends From Japan
Precisely in the early 1990s when giant Japanese automotive companies, such as Suzuki with the Cappucino model, and Mazda with the Autozam AZ1 model succeeded in capturing the hearts of Japanese consumers thanks to their small dimensions and suitable for urban traffic.
This also inspired Honda to issue a model line called the Honda Beat, the tiny car which is often referred to as the Kei Car is a small rear-wheel drive car, this two-seater Kei roadster using a mid-engine configuration produced from May 1991 to February 1996. .
Interestingly, when talking about legendary Honda cars, we will never forget the services of the founder of the automotive company, Soichiro Honda. The man who was born in Iwata-gun (now Tenryu City) is apparently not a genius since he was a child, it has been proven that during his school days he did not stand out academically at school at all. In fact, his teachers found Soichiro to be a child who always had bad grades. But thanks to his perseverance and ” The Power of Dream “, Soichiro managed to become one of the most important figures in the automotive industry even in the world of engineering around the world.
Founder Soichiro Honda’s last blessing
Honda is known as an ambitious and perfectionist personality in every vehicle that leaves its automotive factory. So it became one of the big questions when Soichiro gave full permission to manufacture the mini car or Kei Car which was considered controversial.
The Honda Beat was the last car Soichiro Honda approved before he died in 1991.
The car designed by the world-renowned automotive designer company Pininfarina. The Honda Beat is one of many cars designed to take advantage of the tax-efficient Kei class of cars in Japan. There are two main Beat models (PP1–100 and PP1–110) and several limited edition versions, so that a total of 33,600 units have been produced and used by consumers.
With a typical Honda style, the Beat engine does not use a turbocharger or supercharger but a naturally aspirated engine with a 656 cc mini engine belonging to its motorized product modified with the MTREC ( Multi Throttle Responsive Engine Control ) system, with an individual throttle body each from three cylinders, for produces 64 PS (63 bhp) at 8100 rpm with an electronically limited top speed of 135 km / h (84 mph).
This car only has one transmission option, namely 4 speed manual transmission. Considered a cheap car that is still fun to drive, its small size makes this car also light in weight, so that even though it only has a small engine this car can still drive and drive like the sports cars of that time.
Honda Beat driving impression
In terms of practicality, Honda Beat lags behind its competitors. There is no storage space up front as that is where the gas tank and spare tire are located. Even though there is a rear trunk, the size and space given is very minimal even to put a large size backpack it will not be enough because the rear trunk is also a place to store the battery or vehicle battery.
Even so, the interior of this car has more space than you might think. Although, the hip space is quite narrow considering the width of this small car, but the cabin itself will feel very sufficient and comfortable.
Headroom doesn’t seem to be a problem, because this car is a convertible. Plus , even though it’s a simple car, the Honda Beat offers air conditioning and patterned seats as standard, while radio and entertainment are optional.
Overall, the Honda Beat is a very fun and reliable car, this car is also a successor to iconic cars such as the s660 and s2000, which retain dimensions and engines that tend to be small but still reliable for daily needs and even track needs.
