Honda: Fit Roadster Coming Soon?
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Honda: Fit Roadster Coming Soon?
Pretty interesting article from Motortrend:
They are talking a lot about the S2000 and Honda Beat... but first thing I noticed was they are going to drop it squarely on a Honda Fit GE8 platform. That makes it a Honda Fit Roadster to me!
Honda To Fuse S2000 and Beat Into One - Motor Trend
They are talking a lot about the S2000 and Honda Beat... but first thing I noticed was they are going to drop it squarely on a Honda Fit GE8 platform. That makes it a Honda Fit Roadster to me!
Honda To Fuse S2000 and Beat Into One - Motor Trend
The Honda S2000 was recently killed and the Honda Beat 660cc minicar of 1991 all but forgotten, but in a strange comeback story, they both may live again -- fused into the one car. We have just caught word from a source close to Honda that the company is busy at work 'molding' the two together in a radical new project that is taking shape inside the halls of Tochigi's R&D Centre just north of Tokyo. Dropped onto a modified Fit (Jazz) platform, the new roadster will apparently employ a rear mid-engined layout. An illustration of what the new car could become is depicted.
It's an intriguing new sports car plan from a company that doesn't really have much left in that genre short of the Civic Si and the hybrid CR-Z (the Civic Type R will cease production in August). We did some background research and discovered that Honda has lodged a patent pending in Japan to build a roadster using a subframe and parts from current cars but adding technology to lower curb weight and reduce production costs. The patent actually refers to the "engine being fitted to a center frame" which translates from Japanese to mid-engined and rear-wheel drive. So it will no doubt be lightweight and have good front-rear weight distribution at the same time.
But whether that "mid-engine" refers to a hybrid, fully electric or fuel cell is still unclear. In recent years, Honda has dabbled in all three alternative forms of propulsion, so it's anyone's guess which way they will lean. It's unlikely the automaker will build the car with a gasoline engine option as that would restrict its international application. And if there's anything the company wants, it's to make this car a global success. Don't expect to see this car on the road before 2014.
In other rear-wheel drive compact coupe news, as we've reported, Toyota too is in the process of developing a vehicle, but it will be a gas-powered, 1.5-liter two-door based on the hot hatch concept from GRMN that it debuted at last January's Tokyo Auto Salon. For those who haven't been paying attention to the company's racing exploits at Nurburgring recently, GRMN stands for Gazoo Racing - Meister of Nurburgring. Called a mini-FT-86 in Japan, the new compact coupe is expected in showrooms by early 2013.
It's an intriguing new sports car plan from a company that doesn't really have much left in that genre short of the Civic Si and the hybrid CR-Z (the Civic Type R will cease production in August). We did some background research and discovered that Honda has lodged a patent pending in Japan to build a roadster using a subframe and parts from current cars but adding technology to lower curb weight and reduce production costs. The patent actually refers to the "engine being fitted to a center frame" which translates from Japanese to mid-engined and rear-wheel drive. So it will no doubt be lightweight and have good front-rear weight distribution at the same time.
But whether that "mid-engine" refers to a hybrid, fully electric or fuel cell is still unclear. In recent years, Honda has dabbled in all three alternative forms of propulsion, so it's anyone's guess which way they will lean. It's unlikely the automaker will build the car with a gasoline engine option as that would restrict its international application. And if there's anything the company wants, it's to make this car a global success. Don't expect to see this car on the road before 2014.
In other rear-wheel drive compact coupe news, as we've reported, Toyota too is in the process of developing a vehicle, but it will be a gas-powered, 1.5-liter two-door based on the hot hatch concept from GRMN that it debuted at last January's Tokyo Auto Salon. For those who haven't been paying attention to the company's racing exploits at Nurburgring recently, GRMN stands for Gazoo Racing - Meister of Nurburgring. Called a mini-FT-86 in Japan, the new compact coupe is expected in showrooms by early 2013.
That would be pretty interesting to say the least. I would love to see Honda do something to replace the S2k. It seems they are really starting to stray from their racing heritage.
I'm also surprised by the little mention that the Type R will no longer be in production come August. Does any one know if that is just in the current model or is the Type R done completely.
I'm also surprised by the little mention that the Type R will no longer be in production come August. Does any one know if that is just in the current model or is the Type R done completely.
Last edited by CHERK; Jun 21, 2010 at 07:09 PM.
Nooooooooo! First they screw up the CR-Z now this!? Why spend development money on a Miata fighter ( a battle they will not win) when they could instead drop the R15 turbo motor into the existing GE8 and have a Fit Si? Start sending those e-mails everyone, right away....
ok, sounds like more fun than their flop CR-Z project. im interested. 
minimum requirement though... no more than 2700lbs, at least 250hp, RWD, and handling that rivals at least S2000.
minimum requirement though... no more than 2700lbs, at least 250hp, RWD, and handling that rivals at least S2000.
i think everyone has the wrong idea about this car. it looks more like a Beat refresh than an s2000 or nsx replacement. it doesn't need 200+hp, it just needs to be lightweight, fun to drive, and economical. just like the original Beat.
the only thing that worries me about this car is that it'll be based on a modified GE8 chassis... blah. honda, just don't give it a rear torsion beam.
the only thing that worries me about this car is that it'll be based on a modified GE8 chassis... blah. honda, just don't give it a rear torsion beam.
But it looks like that is exactly what they plan to do! Cut costs to the bone and try to compete in an over-crowded market. The S2000, as wonderful as it is, is hardly setting the world ablaze sales wise. What would be wonderful, is if they could get the Roadster here with 150 WHP (k20 or R18?) RWD, cloth top (weight) curb weight as close to 2000 lbs as can be realistically done, and price it at 17-18500 OTD. Sort of like the original Miata, but with more balls!
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i think everyone has the wrong idea about this car. it looks more like a Beat refresh than an s2000 or nsx replacement. it doesn't need 200+hp, it just needs to be lightweight, fun to drive, and economical. just like the original Beat.
the only thing that worries me about this car is that it'll be based on a modified GE8 chassis... blah. honda, just don't give it a rear torsion beam.
the only thing that worries me about this car is that it'll be based on a modified GE8 chassis... blah. honda, just don't give it a rear torsion beam.
As for torsion beams, don't knock them off completely. Some of the best European hot hatches have humble torsion beams at the back. It's all in what carmakers do with them
Case in point: the Renaultsport Megane 2.0T 250.
Renaultsport Megane 250 Cup - Autocar.co.uk
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,222
From: San Antonio
Agreed with the first statement.
As for torsion beams, don't knock them off completely. Some of the best European hot hatches have humble torsion beams at the back. It's all in what carmakers do with them
Case in point: the Renaultsport Megane 2.0T 250.
Renaultsport Megane 250 Cup - Autocar.co.uk
As for torsion beams, don't knock them off completely. Some of the best European hot hatches have humble torsion beams at the back. It's all in what carmakers do with them
Case in point: the Renaultsport Megane 2.0T 250.
Renaultsport Megane 250 Cup - Autocar.co.uk
Even the Mini uses a multi-link setup.
Then again, the Mustang uses a solid axle, and packs some incredible handling bang for the buck. All in good engineering.
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