Mini Honda

Is it Mini size or Smartcar size?

'Kaerimashita", I'd say that having Mukumoto posing right next the vehicle gives you an idea of size and as for power/engine size, well, the 'kei car' yellow plate and the car's model 'S660' (660cc engine size) gives the answer away. So unless you've never lived in Japan, which might be be the case, it's pretty easy to know what you're looking at in terms of size.

Saw this car on TV today. Nice looking ... but doubt if my 6'1" frame would be comfortable inside it. Sure looked small ...

Furthermore, I'd hate to be hit by a much bigger vehicle while driving/riding in it ... crunchsville ...

He could be a small bloke. Photo perspective might be odd. But agree the kei car plate and 660 do give it away.......... Must improve my amazing powers of obsservation.

No legs required to bum a lift in it

Suppose you want a kei-car that goes fast, because its extremely fuel efficient and expressway tolls are cheaper, then ask yourself, "Do I really want to share the road with trucks when I am speeding in this tiny thing?"

By the way, automobile news websites are reporting that Honda might working on a version of the S660 designed for world markets--including the USA. Unlike the Japanese version, it will use a 1.0-liter I-4 engine rated at 130 ps (circa 127 bhp SAE) and will use wider tires so it could take advantage of the more powerful engine.

Looks like a mini version of the new NSX

Further to Raymond's comment, I think Suzuki sells a version of pretty much the top selling kei car, the Wagon R, in India, except with a 1000 cc engine. It doesn't sell the Japanese 660cc version there.

I mention this and Raymond's comment because there is nothing intrinsically good about 660cc engines and kei cars in Japan only use them so they pass the rules for the kei car tax break. 660cc is not a magic ticket to fuel economy or low emissions or engine efficiency. A larger engine with lower rpm at highway speed, or a hybrid that only uses the engine when necessary will be more efficient. The whole kei car system is car design by bureaucratic rules, not by what car designers know works best. It's the same as giving beer-like products such as happoshu and that zasshu stuff a tax break. It's not brewers that decide what people on a budget get to drink.

It's adorable, and I want it!

Why go small?

Starting from 2 million yen. There are better choices.

"Why go small?"

Because owners of cars with 660cc engines and smaller get tax breaks in Japan. This car is going to give lousy performance if you actually want to drive as a sports car.

As mentioned, if this is exported, the motorists overseas will be properly served with a 1.0 engine.

JeffLee Mar. 31, 2015 - 06:57AM JST Because owners of cars with 660cc engines and smaller get tax breaks in Japan.

Problem is that Kei-car owners now have to pay higher sales tax, higher gasoline tax and a 50% increase of Kei-car tax, narrowing their tax difference with regular-size vehicles. To make matters worse, these cars are not manufactured for export, due to its small size that fails the strict safety standards in Europe and the U.S. Selling Kei-cars only in Japan means manufacturers can’t justify spending more for research and development on such cars. It's all about net profit and it's a matter of time before Japanese car manufacturers abandon Kei-cars.

No thanks, the front is ok but the back is hideous. How come the design of the S2000, a 16 year old car, looks better than this? Seems like most of their cars have taken on the "civic" front end while the SUVs/Vans have taken on a "odyssey" front end (in the US that is).