Honda Cars : Honda Beat Successor Rumored With Dual-Clutch Transmission | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

Beat it, just Beat it! Honda is looking to revive its adorable, legendary (adoregendary?) kei-class convertible, the Lilliputian Beat, this time with motorcycle technology.

The last Beat was built from 1991 to 1996 and featured a 650cc engine in the middle, three cylinders, 63 horsepower, rear-wheel drive, and a name that endlessly amuses Westerners. The next Beat, however, will presumably be bigger than that. It will also feature a dual-clutch transmission—for the first time in a Honda—borrowed from the “Shamu” VFR1200F, and attached to a 1.3- or 1.5-liter VTEC four-cylinder.

Rumors have it that the car would resemble the OSM concept shown above and also share a chassis on the CR-Z, which might diminish some of the Beat’s original tiny cuteness. As long as it’s not saddled as a hybrid, the next Beat should still be fun. Gotta Beat ‘em while you can, Honda.

Source;
http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2011/06/honda-beat-successor-rumored-with-dual-clutch-transmission.html

Honda Cars : Honda to Close European Design Studio | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

Honda apparently doesn’t think much for European designs. The Japanese automaker has just announced that it will close its European design studio, located in Offenbach, near Frankfurt, Germany. This is the latest cost cutting measure by Honda to reduce operational losses.

The R&D center is responsible for design of European Honda models as well as for motorcycles. Some of the more notable designs to come out of the German offices are the Neukom concept, unveiled at the Tokyo Auto Show in 1999 and the OSM (pictured above), which was first shown in 2008.

‘There is no word on where automotive design will be transferred to, although motorcycle design is thought to be moved to Honda’s Italian design studio in Rome.

Honda has said that, for now, the non-design related R&D activities at the offices will continue.

Source;
http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2009/10/breaking-honda-to-close-european-design-studio.html

Honda Cars : Honda Beat To Return In 2011, Based On Honda OSM Concept? | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

Not sure if this means anything to us in North America, but would look like what I would have thought a Honda S3000 would look like.
According to the news-makers at Japanese auto magazine Best Car, Honda is working on returning the Beat name to the streets of Tokyo after a 13 year absence.

The original Beat ran on a rear-wheel-drive platform and was powered by a 47kW 660cc engine, putting it in the ‘kei’ category – a class of car so small and with such a low environmental impact, that tax breaks and parking discounts are part of the benefits of owning one.

Best Car says that Honda is looking at the market closely and working feverishly to bring the new Beat – based on the Honda OSM concept – to showrooms at the right time, likely around 2011.

The ‘kei class’ 2011 Honda Beat will, according to Best Car, be powered by the same 660cc engine motivating Honda’s Life, Zest and Zest Spark kei cars, utilising the same front-wheel-drive platform.

While all-wheel-drive is an option, it is likely the new Beat will deliver its limited power to the front wheels only.

How much of this can be believed will remain to be seen, but as we’re unlikely to see the Beat in Australia it’s a moot point for Aussies anyway.

Source;
http://www.themotorreport.com.au/27369/honda-beat-to-return-in-2011-based-on-honda-osm-concept/