Honda Beat
The Honda Beat is a lightweight, two-seater roadster produced from 1991 to 1996 by the Japanese automaker Honda. It was powered by a 656 cc (0.66 L) engine that produced 63 hp (47 kW) and was mated to a five-speed manual transmission. The Beat was based on the Honda City, and featured a unique "mid-engine, rear-wheel drive" layout. Its lightweight design and high revving engine made it a popular choice for rally and track racing.
Design & Features
The Honda Beat was designed with a unique "mid-engine, rear-wheel drive" layout. This allowed for a lightweight design and improved handling. The engine was mounted in the middle of the car and the rear wheels were driven by a transaxle. The body was made of lightweight aluminum and fiberglass panels, giving the car a curb weight of just 1,045 kg (2,302 lb). The Beat featured a two-seat, targa-style configuration with an independent double wishbone suspension system and a limited-slip differential.
Performance
The Honda Beat was powered by a 656 cc (0.66 L) engine that produced 63 hp (47 kW) at 8,000 rpm and 51 lb-ft (69 Nm) of torque at 6,500 rpm. The engine was mated to a five-speed manual transmission. The combination of the lightweight design and high-revving engine made the Beat a popular choice for rally and track racing.
Legacy
The Honda Beat was discontinued in 1996, but its legacy lives on in the form of the Honda S2000. The S2000 was introduced in 1999 and features a similar mid-engine, rear-wheel drive layout and lightweight design. The S2000 was powered by a 2.0 L engine that produced 237 hp (177 kW) and 162 lb-ft (220 Nm) of torque.
Conclusion
The Honda Beat was a lightweight, two-seater roadster produced by Honda from 1991 to 1996. It featured a unique "mid-engine, rear-wheel drive" layout and a high-revving engine, making it a popular choice for rally and track racing. Its legacy lives on in the form of the Honda S2000, which features a similar layout and lightweight design.
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