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Honda Beat

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Honda Beat: Honda's mid-engine kei sports car. 656cc three-cylinder behind the seats, rear-drive, manual only. The origina
Photo: Guyon from Richmond, VA, United States of America / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.0

Honda's mid-engine kei sports car. 656cc three-cylinder behind the seats, rear-drive, manual only. The original kei sports trio with the Cappuccino and AZ-1.

The Honda Beat is a mid-engine kei sports car produced from 1991 to 1996, exclusively for the Japanese market. The car was developed within the Japanese kei vehicle classification, which limits engines to 660cc displacement and overall dimensions. Despite the strict regulatory constraints, the Beat is a genuine sports car: mid-engine layout, rear-wheel drive, naturally aspirated three-cylinder engine, and only manual transmission available. The Beat used a Honda E07A 656cc three-cylinder engine making 64 horsepower (the kei output cap). The engine sits transversely behind the seats, driving the rear wheels through a five-speed manual transmission. Suspension is independent front (MacPherson struts) and rear (multilink), allowing genuine sports car handling balance. The chassis weighs around 1,675 pounds, providing one of the best power-to-weight ratios available in factory specification. The Beat was one of the three Japanese kei sports cars of the early 1990s (alongside the Suzuki Cappuccino and the Mazda Autozam AZ-1). The trio defined the kei sports car category and remains highly regarded among enthusiasts of focused, lightweight, mid-engine cars. Production ended in 1996 with no successor; the Honda S660 (2015-2022) revived the kei sports car concept but at a different scale. On WhipJury, Honda Beat submissions are rare in North America. With the 25-year import rule satisfied since 2016, more Beats are appearing. The cars are increasingly sought after by enthusiasts who appreciate genuine kei sports car character.

The Beat formula

Mid-engine layout (rare in any market, particularly in a kei car). Rear-wheel drive. Naturally aspirated three-cylinder making 64 horsepower at 8,100 rpm. Five-speed manual only. Curb weight around 1,675 pounds. The combination produces a remarkably balanced and engaging driving experience despite modest performance numbers.

The kei sports car trio

The Beat was one of three Japanese kei sports cars from the early 1990s. The Suzuki Cappuccino used a turbocharged three-cylinder. The Mazda Autozam AZ-1 used a turbocharged three-cylinder with gullwing doors. Each of the three has dedicated enthusiast followings; the Beat is the only naturally aspirated of the three.

Beat on WhipJury

Honda Beat submissions are rare in North America given the limited import volumes. JDM imports of Beat (and broader kei car community) are growing as the cars become legal under the 25-year rule. Modified Beats (with displacement increases, turbo conversions, or chassis upgrades) appear occasionally and reliably do well on rarity alone.

Frequently asked questions about Honda Beat

Are Honda Beats legal in the US?
Yes, since 2016. The 1991 Beat became eligible for US import in 2016 (25-year rule). Subsequent model years became eligible each year. The cars must be imported as JDM specification (right-hand drive, KEI specifications). Various import services offer Beat imports; pricing is moderate compared to other JDM imports.
How fast is a Honda Beat?
Stock: 0-60 in around 11-12 seconds, top speed around 90 mph. Slow by modern standards but remarkably engaging due to the chassis dynamics. Modified Beats (with displacement increases, turbo conversions) can be much faster, but the original character is the chassis and not the power.
How much does a Honda Beat cost?
Pricing has been climbing. Project Beats (rusted, neglected): $5,000-$10,000. Driver-quality cars: $10,000-$18,000. Clean low-mile examples: $18,000-$30,000+. The Beat has become a recognized future classic, and pricing trends upward with overall JDM market appreciation.
Are Beats reliable?
Generally yes for what they are. The E07A engine is durable when maintained. Common issues include valve adjustments needed at scheduled intervals, cold-start oil consumption on higher-mileage examples, and various age-related items on cars now 25-30+ years old. Aftermarket parts availability is moderate; some specialty parts require import.
Is the Honda S660 a Beat successor?
Conceptually yes. The S660 (2015-2022) was Honda's modern kei sports car, replacing the Beat lineage 19 years after Beat production ended. The S660 used a turbocharged three-cylinder, kei specifications, and similar mid-engine rear-drive layout. The S660 was sold in larger volumes than the Beat had been; production ended in 2022. The S660 is the closest direct Beat successor produced.

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