Honda Life
| Honda Life | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Honda |
| Production | 1971-2014 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Kei car |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Honda Today (1997) |
| Successor |
Honda N-One Honda N-Box Honda N-WGN |
| First generation (SA/VA/WA) | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Honda |
| Production | 1971-1974 |
| Assembly | Suzuka Plant, Suzuka, Mie, Japan |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | citycar |
| Body style | 2/4-door hatchback (SA) 3-door hatchback (Van/Wagon, VA/WA) |
| Layout | FF layout |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 356 cc EA Straight-2 |
| Transmission | 3/4/5-speed manual 3-speed Hondamatic automatic |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,080 mm (82 in) |
| Length | 2,995 mm (118 in) |
| Width | 1,295 mm (51 in) |
| Height | 1,340–1,370 mm (53–54 in) |
| Curb weight | 480–540 kg (1,058–1,190 lb) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Honda NIII360 |
| Successor | Honda Today |
| Step Van/Pickup (VA/PA) | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Honda |
| Production | 1972-1974 (Pick-up from 1973) |
| Assembly | Suzuka Plant, Suzuka, Mie, Japan |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 2-door kei truck 5-door microvan |
| Layout | FF layout |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 356 cc EA Straight-2 |
| Transmission | 4-speed manual |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,080 mm (82 in) |
| Length | 2,995 mm (118 in) |
| Width | 1,295 mm (51 in) |
| Height | 1,620 mm (64 in) |
| Curb weight | 550–605 kg (1,213–1,334 lb) |
| Chronology | |
| Successor | Honda TN-V |
| Second generation Series JA4 | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Overview | |
| Production | 1997-1998 |
| Assembly | Yachiyo Plant, Yokkaichi, Mie, Japan |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 5-door hatchback |
| Layout | FF layout |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 658 cc E07A SOHC I3 |
| Transmission | 3-Speed Automatic 5-speed manual |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,330 mm (91.7 in) |
| Length | 3,295 mm (129.7 in) |
| Width | 1,395 mm (54.9 in) |
| Height | 1,635 mm (64.4 in) |
| Third generation Series JB1-4 | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Overview | |
| Production | 1998-2003 |
| Assembly | Yachiyo Plant, Yokkaichi, Mie, Japan |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 5-door hatchback |
| Layout | FF layout/4WD |
| Related | Honda Z 2nd generation |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 658 cc E07Z SOHC I3 |
| Transmission | 3-Speed Automatic 5-speed manual |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,360 mm (92.9 in) |
| Length | 3,395 mm (133.7 in) |
| Width | 1,475 mm (58.1 in) |
| Height | 1,610 mm (63.4 in) |
| Fourth generation Series JB5-8 | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Overview | |
| Production | 2003-2008 |
| Assembly | Yachiyo Plant, Yokkaichi, Mie, Japan |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 5-door hatchback |
| Layout | FF layout, 4WD |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine |
658 cc P07A SOHC I3 (DIVA, F, F Happy Edition, C, C Topic) |
| Transmission | 4-Speed Automatic Overdrive |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,420 mm (95.3 in) |
| Length | 3,395 mm (133.7 in) |
| Width | 1,475 mm (58.1 in) |
| Height | 1,580 mm (62.2 in) (FF) 1,595 mm (62.8 in) (4WD) |
| Fifth generation Series JC1-2 | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Overview | |
| Production | 2008-2014 |
| Assembly | Yachiyo Plant, Yokkaichi, Mie, Japan |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 5-door hatchback |
| Layout | FF layout, 4WD |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 658 cc P07A SOHC I3 turbo |
| Transmission | 4-Speed Automatic Overdrive |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,420 mm (95.3 in) |
| Length | 3,395 mm (133.7 in) |
| Width | 1,475 mm (58.1 in) |
| Height | 1,610 mm (63.4 in) (FF) 1,630 mm (64.2 in) (4WD) |
| Curb weight | 810–940 kg (1,790–2,070 lb) |
The Honda Life is a name that is being used on various kei car/city cars produced by Honda: passenger cars, microvans, and kei trucks. The first series of the nameplate was built between 1971 and 1974, with the name being revived in 1997. The Honda Life has rarely been marketed outside Japan.
The original Life range was offered as a two-door or four-door hatchback and in a three-door wagon model (also sold as a commercial van), replacing the Honda NIII360. Compared with the previous Honda minicar series, passenger comfort was improved to make this a better family car - indeed, Honda's target was to make a kei which was as habitable as a period 1-liter car. The wheelbase, at 2,080 mm (82 in), was eight cm longer than that of the predecessor. The entire Life range had a water-cooled Honda EA 356 cc engine, usually producing 30 PS (30 hp) at 8,000 rpm. which began as the air-cooled engine borrowed from the Honda CB450 motorcycle. Top speed of a sedan is 105 km/h. The sprint to 100 km/h came up in 34.9 seconds in a period test. In September 1972, the tall and curiously shaped "Life Step Van" was introduced, with either three or five doors. A pickup version of this was later added to the lineup, but had minimal impact on the market.
The engine was also installed with a balance shaft to reduce vibration. The engine was called "refined" in period tests, and was considered to be as quiet and smooth as some four-cylinder engines. The change to a water-cooled engine also eliminated the smell in the heating system commonly associated with air-cooled engines that drew the heated air into the passenger compartment. Another improvement was that the gearbox was separate from the engine, unlike in the N-series where the gearbox was in the sump (as for the original Mini). Production of the Life coincided with the larger Honda Civic with both vehicles having introduced a timing belt (rather than chain) for the operation of the overhead cam.
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Wikipedia