July 9, 2012

Honda small car: Tata Nano and Maruti Alto competitor ? (Photos)

A new car is in the making at Honda. This Honda small car is expected to compete with Tata Nano and Maruti Alto small car…

A new car is in the making at Honda. This Honda small car is expected to compete with Tata Nano and Maruti Alto small car in India, once launched. The retro looking vehicle is about 133 inches in length and 58 inches in width. It possesses a 660 cc VTEC four cylinder engine offering about 64 hp. Though diminutive in size and output, Honda expects to make a major comeback in the Indian auto industry, once this small car is launched.

The new Honda small car is designed to meet the demands of urban population who would like to get their way out of city traffic with ease. It will be a front wheel drive city car with 48 kW power. This new Honda small car is based on the Honda N600, which was initially introduced in 1969.

Even during that era it was looked upon as a technologically advanced vehicle with an alloy engine that could achieve 9,000 rpm while engine output was 36-45 hp and it was capable of 81 mph. It was lightweight at around 550 kgs but brakes were weak. Production stopped in 1972 after a sportier Honda Z600 was introduced.

In November last year at the Tokyo Motor Show, Honda unveiled a similar concept but with a lot of features – N Concept 4, images of which you can see here. Honda is expected to launch the small car in Japan next year. India launch 2014.