Honda working on a small, rear-drive, mid-engined roadster

If you’re one of those who were dismayed with the demise of the Honda S2000 and the fading glory of the Honda Beat 660cc minicar of 1991, this report is bound to delight you. A source close to Honda said that these two models may live again in the guise of one car.

Honda is reportedly busy “molding” the two models together in a new project from Tochigi’s R&D Centre near Tokyo. The new roadster has been dropped onto a modified Fit (Jazz) platform. It will use a rear mid-engined layout. That Honda is working on a new sports car is interesting because the carmaker hasn’t really been focused on this genre.
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ceric - 6/19/2010 1:00:30 AM

+7 Boost

I bet Honda will put 120hp in it.

dlin - 6/19/2010 1:36:37 AM

+6 Boost

So it'll be S1500? Sounds like a motorcycle to me.

NannerPus - 6/19/2010 4:48:39 PM

+5 Boost

Del Sol maybe?

tango - 6/19/2010 1:52:07 AM

-3 Boost

Why am I not impressed? Honda has cried wolf so many times in recent years (remember how they triumphantly declared that hybrids in large/midsized cars doesn't make sense so they would be offering a diesel in the US spec Accord et al?!?) that I just can't be bothered. They back-pedal on so many issues maybe they should give up making cars and continue the pedaling by building bicycles.

uaw_lax - 6/19/2010 2:48:26 AM

-9 Boost

We know they make good lawn mowers!

dlin - 6/19/2010 12:12:38 PM

+11 Boost

and Airplanes - http://world.honda.com/HondaJet/

PUGPROUD - 6/19/2010 6:12:15 AM

+4 Boost

After owning a few Hondas over the years, I have a very high regard for their engines, quality and user friendly nature. However they have failed to develope a line of successful sports cars from lack of a consistant strategy and marketing effort. They have no hertiage or legacy compared to others as a foundation to build great sports cars and attract enthusiasts. They think they do but they do not. Either get in the game and stay in (like Mazda and the Miata/MX5) or get out.

Larrybel2000 - 6/19/2010 6:52:08 AM

+6 Boost

Honda has been running in Indy cars for years and has been the sole provider of engines for Indy for some time now. I believe they are running a 3.5L V8. I don't think we will see that, but we may see some of the tech from the rear engine RWD configuration. The new civic SI is running a 197-hp, 2.0-Liter K20Z3 engine which would be more logical and my first choice for this car. That would put it somewhere between a Mazda Miata and a Lotus Elise. The Elise is much lighter and is built to carve it up on the track. This Honda I think will have more creature comforts.

Larry Key West

Larrybel2000 - 6/19/2010 10:15:17 AM

+8 Boost

Cool. Thanks I didn't know that about upgrading the Lotus.

Larry Key West

t_bone - 6/19/2010 1:19:21 PM

-5 Boost

I'd actually rather they bring back the Integra, and do it right this time, than add a cramped, underpowered convertible.

rxh8me9000 - 6/19/2010 2:56:02 PM

0 Boost

Ya,bring back the Integra and go back to having the best tuner cars in the world again. When Honda switched to ugly non fun cars they lost a huge fanbase and a lot of sales. Give the people what they want. Bring out something to compete with the Golf,Speed3. Bring back another Integra GSR. Develop a TSXsi or type r. Honda currently has nothing in their linup that is exciting. The civic si hype lasted 2 months and everything else is boring. They build decent reliable all around good cars,but they are just boring.

ceric - 6/19/2010 4:33:04 PM

+8 Boost

Oh, please. Don;t sell Integra under Acura this time. It brought down the entire image of Acura. Integra should be under Honda badge.
Yes, I owned one.

vvelez - 6/23/2010 8:54:48 PM

+1 Boost

So what do they plan on making an "MR2-ISH" car? I would actually like to see it.