Thursday 20th December 2018

Honda S660 'Trad Leather Edition'

The best things at Christmas come in small packages, right? Honda turns the clock back with its retro kei car

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Everybody loves a kei car. Not really up for debate, is it? By putting Japanese technical innovation in a small (and typically very cute) package, only the coldest of cold hearts could not admire the kei car, which has now existed for nearly 70 years.

Proving that there's still life in the formula yet, the Honda S660 has been well received since its 2015 launch. Indeed when a Mugen version was driven for PH it was described thus: “And where the S660 was already a blast the Mugen jumps into a new dimension.” Now, like all the most memorable Japanese sports cars, Honda is launching a special model with a dubious name – welcome, everyone, to the S660 Trad Leather Edition.

At least that name is simpler to decipher than some have been in the past, this S660 merely one that looks a bit more traditional and features some additional leather. That sounds absolutely fine to us though, the little Honda wearing its British Green Pearl with tan leather like a true thoroughbred. In the (translated Japanese) release accompanying the car, Honda says the Trad Leather Edition has “a fine looking and refined presence” and an interior “that makes you feel the fine running”.

Beyond the cosmetic tweaks (and the addition of a City Brake system), the S660 Trad Leather Edition is mechanically identical to a regular S660. That means 64hp at 6,800rpm from a 660cc, three-cylinder turbo, heading to the rear wheels via either a six-speed manual or CVT gearbox. Apparently it can do 100mph...

Honda will launch the S660 Trad Leather Edition in Japan tomorrow. It’ll cost 2,275,560 yen, or £16k at current exchange rates. Don’t forget, either, that with a S660 TLE, “The more you run, the more the joy of manipulation fills with the scenery, with the times.” Don’t ever change Japan.

 

[redroadster]

Superb attention to detail in a small package makes most cars look like Whales .

[anonymous-user]

Why don't Honda sell them in the U.K ?
I don't want a 600cc Caterham, but this looks like a very useable fun car.

[sc0tt]

What a lovely little car.

[daveco]

That colour combo looks very nice.


With c.800kg they should move along nicely. Isn't the 6 speed box close ratio as well?

[lee_erm]

I wish honda would bring this to the UK

[borat52]

daveco said:

That colour combo looks very nice.


With c.800kg they should move along nicely. Isn't the 6 speed box close ratio as well?

64bhp, even working on only 800kg this is going to be painfully slow.

[Dale487]

Half a Boxster for less than half the price, what's not to like?

Sounds like the car the Smart Roadster/Coupe could/should have been.

Can you get an imported S660 in the UK and what's the damage?

[BigMon]

That looks fantastic! Good colour combo too.

[Cambs_Stuart]

I really want one. That looks like it will be a lot of fun.

[Vocht]

Such an awesome little car. Shame it's not cheaper!

[daveco]

borat52 said:

daveco said:

That colour combo looks very nice.


With c.800kg they should move along nicely. Isn't the 6 speed box close ratio as well?

64bhp, even working on only 800kg this is going to be painfully slow.

True, though I think they are being modest with the power figure, and 64hp at that weight still throws up a 0-60 time of 9.5-10 seconds depending on gearing.

[Baldchap]

What happened to the Euro version, that was touted as being a S1000 1 litre turbo?

That said, if they release this in the UK I absolutely WILL buy one. Love Kei cars for some reason. Still looking for a clean Cuore Avanzato TR-XX R4...

[anonymous-user]

A quick Google search shows Spoon do a replacement turbo for 110hp. A remap and minor mods should give 85-90 hp, but I guess if you want more, you won't be looking at this anyway!

[Deerfoot]

Delightful little thing. Love it.

[Black S2K]

daveco said:

borat52 said:

daveco said:

That colour combo looks very nice.


With c.800kg they should move along nicely. Isn't the 6 speed box close ratio as well?

64bhp, even working on only 800kg this is going to be painfully slow.

True, though I think they are being modest with the power figure, and 64hp at that weight still throws up a 0-60 time of 9.5-10 seconds depending on gearing.

Spoon.

They'll get it to around 100BHP, it that's your thing.

[Esceptico]

I had a bike with 60 bhp. That weighed only 145 kg and to be honest had to be thrashed to make decent progress (which made it fun). The same amount of power in a car weighing 5 times as much sounds a bit weedy. Still would be interested in trying one though.

[Haltamer]

There was one of these imported that was making the rounds for sale (A regular S660, not the new edition)

I'd love one of these - It fills the niche like the VW UP GTI Of small, not overpowered cars that can rocket around tight country roads; I could imagine this would be an absolute blast to drive.

[sjg]

Dale487 said:

Half a Boxster for less than half the price, what's not to like?

Sounds like the car the Smart Roadster/Coupe could/should have been.

Can you get an imported S660 in the UK and what's the damage?

You'd need to do the usual foglight and speedo but have to put it through IVA as they're not 10 years old yet but should be no reason it wouldn't pass.

Still pricey though - wouldn't expect change from £15k to get an early 2015 one over.

[Dale487]

sjg said:

Dale487 said:

Half a Boxster for less than half the price, what's not to like?

Sounds like the car the Smart Roadster/Coupe could/should have been.

Can you get an imported S660 in the UK and what's the damage?

You'd need to do the usual foglight and speedo but have to put it through IVA as they're not 10 years old yet but should be no reason it wouldn't pass.

Still pricey though - wouldn't expect change from £15k to get an early 2015 one over.

The quick search I made had the at £15-19K.

[RossP]

https://www.kansaiautoexport.com/