2013 Honda Beat Reportedly Coming

[webby]

2013 Honda Beat Reportedly Coming​

Honda is reportedly developing a spiritual successor to the Honda Beat compact sports car that could go on sale late in 2013.​

According to Auto Express in the UK, Japanese sources revealed the upcoming two-seat, front-wheel drive coupe would combine Honda’s car and motorcycle engineering know-how.​

The new Beat will reportedly be built on the same platform as the CR-Z hybrid sports car, although it will feature shorter front and rear overhangs.​

The styling is said to be influenced by the Honda OSM concept (pictured) that was unveiled at the 2008 London Motor Show.​

The original Beat was produced in Japan at the beginning of the 1990s. Powered by a compact, tax-beating 660cc petrol engine, it was 3.3m long and featured a soft-folding roof.​

The new hardtop model is expected to benefit from Honda’s new fuel efficient petrol engine range, sporting either a 1.3- or 1.5-litre unit teamed with stop-start technology.​

The new Beat could also feature the brand’s first dual-clutch transmission for a car, borrowing technology from the motorcycle side of the business.​

The 2013 Honda Beat would compete with the vehicles like the Mazda MX-5 and Renault Wind throughout Europe and the US, with a price of less than £20,000 ($30,500).​

Do you think a reasonably priced two-seat coupe would work for Honda in Australia? With the exception of the Civic Type R, the current range lacks the spark of the 1990s when the Integra, Prelude, S2000 and NSX gave the brand a sporty reputation. Is Honda heading in the right direction with a vehicle like the Beat?​

 

[Nomar06]

more fail styling, eh?

 

[iluvmycsx]

the front doesnt look to bad but the rear is

 

[spcdan]

I disagree, I like it. Reminds me of an older Del sol. But they do need to put a K20Z3 w 6 speed in there for that price.

 

[CivicDew]

the front doesnt look to bad but the rear is

I agree completely. Back just falls off as you look down the body line. Wish the front of the new 9th looked like this.

 

[CivicDew]

S2000

 

[siracergrl]

I kinda like it. Granted the back needs a little work though

 

[SmilesAustin]

S2000

That's what I was thinking... this is the long awaited return of the S2000, at least in concept.

 

[SOLO8thGenSi]

FWD....
damn

 

[KennyGS]

 

[webby]

yea, they should just use the drivetrain from the s2000... it's already looking like it to an extent

 

[Sergio Eddie]

I am so ready for this car!!!

 

[SmilesAustin]

Yeah I'm pretty stoked to go see one in person. I don't really care that it's FWD, and in fact for those of us who live in colder climates it's hard to justify anything that's not FWD unless you want a car you can only drive between about April and October (best case scenario). I really like sporty cars that are practical enough to be driven year-round.

 

[Sergio Eddie]

Yeah I'm pretty stoked to go see one in person. I don't really care that it's FWD, and in fact for those of us who live in colder climates it's hard to justify anything that's not FWD unless you want a car you can only drive between about April and October (best case scenario). I really like sporty cars that are practical enough to be driven year-round.

Same here. RWD just doesn't work that well in Cleveland for me. Sporty FWD is perfect IMHO.....

 

[bootyluvr]

What were they smoking when they designed this?!