Honda Z
| Honda Z | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Honda |
| Also called | Honda 600 Coupe Honda AZ600 Honda Z360/Z600 |
| Production | 1970–1974 1998–2002 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Z600 Microcar Z360 Kei car |
| Body style | 2-door coupé |
| Layout | FF layout |
| Related | N360/600 |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 354 cc I2 356 cc EA I2 598 cc I2 |
| Transmission | 4/5-speed manual 2-speed Hondamatic |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,000 mm (79 in) |
| Length | 3,125 mm (123.0 in) |
| Width | 1,295 mm (51.0 in) |
| Height | 1,280 mm (50 in) |
| Curb weight | 595 kg (1,312 lb) |
| Honda Z | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Honda |
| Production | 1998–2002 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Kei car |
| Body style | 2-door Mini SUV |
| Layout | M4 layout / AWD |
| Related | Honda Life |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 656 cc E07Z NA/turbo I3 |
| Transmission | 4-speed automatic |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,360 mm (93 in) |
| Length | 3,395 mm (133.7 in) |
| Width | 1,475 mm (58.1 in) |
| Height | 1,675 mm (65.9 in) |
| Curb weight | 960–970 kg (2,120–2,140 lb) |
Honda Z (marketed also as the Z600) is a two-door hatchback kei car/city car manufactured and marketed by the Honda Motor Company, from 1970 until 1974. Exports mostly ended after 1972, when the domestic market models received a redesigned pillarless bodywork.
Honda subsequently marketed a kei-class SUV from 1998-2003, bearing no relation to the first 'Z', but bearing the same nameplate.
The two-door Honda Z debuted in October 1970 and was marketed until 1973 in most countries. US sales (only with the larger 600 cc engine) lasted for model years 1970 through 1972, ending prior to the 1973 introduction of the Civic. Marketed as the "sport coupé" version of the N600, the two were sold side by side at American motorcycle dealerships until the first stand-alone automobile dealers opened to market the Civic. Total production was 40,586 units.
In certain countries, such as the USA, the Z600 name simply reflected the engine's size of 598 cc (36 cu in). The smaller-engined Honda Z360 was available in Japan (and other markets, such as Australia) with a 354 cc (22 cu in) twin. In the UK they came only in 600 cc form and were called simply 'Honda Z' with no mention of the engine size in the name.
As with all cars in the Kei class, the Z360's specifications were tightly governed. The Z360 originally featured an air-cooled, 354 cc, 2-cylinder SOHC engine with a 4- or 5-speed transmission driving the front wheels. Outputs were 31 PS (23 kW; 31 hp) at 8500 rpm for the Act and Pro versions, and 36 PS (26 kW; 36 hp) at an astronomical 9000 rpm for the sportier TS and GS models. The Z600 model's 598 cc SOHC engine was rated at 36 PS (26 kW; 36 hp). In December 1971, the Z360 received a facelift and a water-cooled engine, it too producing 36 PS (26 kW; 36 hp) at 9000 rpm. Only a month later, the 31 PS engine used in the lower spec variants (Standard, Deluxe, Automatic, Custom) also became water-cooled. The engine's technical achievements reflected influence from Honda's larger 1.3 L air-cooled four cylinder used in the Honda 1300 coupe and sedan.
The Z featured coil sprung and independent front suspension and leaf springs on a beam axle rear suspension. The interior accommodated two adults, with a very small rear seat. A rear glass hatch with a black plastic surround opened to a shallow cargo area. Below the cargo area a compartment, accessible via a lid beneath the number plate, held the spare wheel and tools. Later versions, after a November 1972 facelift, deleted the extra lid and also moved the license plate down where it had used to be. These also received the new EA engine of 356 cc (22 cu in), now only available in a more powerful, 36 PS (26 kW; 36 hp) version. Production ended in 1974, after the new Civic had arrived and the Oil Crisis had diminished the market for "fun" cars.
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