Honda has a significant history when it comes to making lightweight open sportscars. The Beat and S2000 are two more recent examples that have a great enthusiast following. After the S2000 went out of production in 2009 there was a period where Honda did not offer a open car in their line-up until in 2015 the S660 was released.
The S660 inherits a lot of characteristics from the Beat. Both of them are kei-cars, so the dimensions and engine size are similar. Both have a MR (Midship engine, Rear wheel driven) drivetrain layout. The front facia of the S660 has influences from the Beat too, with a low, sharp nose and long rectangular headlights. For the S660 this style continues in the rear with long stretched rear lights. The integrated roll-over bars in the body mean that S660 is not a full convertible like the Beat and S2000 were, but it is possible to take out the fabric roof and enjoy the open driving experience.
And the driving experience is one that one will not easy forget. For the Japanese roads the turbocharged 658cc engine provides a sufficient amount of power (64 horsepower) and torque (104 Nm) to quickly get up to speed. This is mainly due to the low weight of the car, which is around 850 kilogram without people. Once up to speed, it is the corners where the S660 excels. The weight distribution of 45:55 front to rear and the tyres with sticky rubber (standard equipment) meant the car is very planted when going around the corner. In addition there is Agile Handling Assist, which controls the brakes of the car to ensure more smooth cornering.
Another feature helping the good driving experience is the 6-speed manual transmission, which is unique in this class. Yet as an alternative, a CVT gearbox with 7 pre-programmed gears and paddles behind the steering wheel is also available. The interior has a cockpit design, with simple lines and a focus on functionality. The same accounts for the combimeter behind the steering wheel. In the middle is a analog tachometer with in the center a digital speedometer. One option that changes the look and functionality of the interior is an additional screen on top of the dashboard which can show various driving information such as g-forces, navigation and reverse camera.
In general there were two equipment levels. The basic beta (β) and the higher grade alpha (α). Visually the two could be easily distinguished by the different wheels. The beta had silver ones while the ones on the alpha were black with silver (polished look). Another small detail were the indicators on the front fender, the beta having amber and the alpha clear color.
In the interior the alpha and beta had a lot more differences. Simply listed:
– The beta came with black cloth seats while the alpha came with a mix of black leather and suede that could be had in two color options for the white exterior color, black for the driver and passenger seat or light gray for the driver seat and dark gray for the passenger seat.
– The right side of the steering wheel of the alpha had buttons as it was standard equipped with cruise control. It gives the steering wheel a more symmetric look compared to the beta.
– The alpha got a leather steering wheel and gearknob. The one in the beta was a plastic one.
– Rings around the start button, combimeter housing and various switches were black for the beta, and silver/chromish for the alpha. A similar styling approach was done for the inner door handles, knobs on vent outlets and parking brake knob.
– The alpha got aluminium pedals.
The alpha grade pictures:
The beta grade pictures:
For exterior colors, the beta grade only got the choice black, white and gray. The same colors were available for the alpha, but that grade also got the more colorful colors like yellow, red and blue. Black, blue and white all were options with additional cost. Below this page is a more detailed S660 color chart with all the colors and variations.
At the launch, a limited edition called the Concept Edition was available. Based on the alpha grade, a total of 660 units were built and all came in the premium color white with the removable canvas top being in red. Normally this red canvas was only available as an accessory option. A water repellent body and glass coat was put as standard. In the interior the center display came as standard and there was a plate behind the gear lever which showed the number out of the 660 units.
In June 2017 a new special edition grade became available called the Bruno Leather Edition. The interior got a remake with brown leather seats with black inserts and brown leather on the steering wheel and dashboard. There was a small commemorative plate behind the shift lever and also in this version the center display came as standard. On the outside the Bruno Leather Edition could be recognized by the black mirror caps, wheels and unique brown exterior color. However it was also possible to get the car in gray or white. 800 units were planned to be produced and ordering intakes stopped after November 2017.
Around the same time that the Bruno Leather Edition finished, a new up to 800 unit limited production special version came available for limited time of around 3 months. This time it was based on the beta grade, called the Hashtag Komorebi Edition. It was a grade intended for the buyer that was looking for a more luxurious and chic version of the S660. A unique light yellowish color was set (Hida Maria Ivory Pearl) but the existing red and white exterior color could also be chosen. The canvas top came in a brown color. In the interior light tan seats, dashboard and doorcards were installed. Combined with the silver/chrome accents used in the alpha grade, it gave the S660 a more upmarket feel in the interior. The center display was standard as well as the city brake collision mitigation system. As it was the more luxurious version, the Hashtag Komorebi Edition could only be had with the CVT transmission.
May 2018 saw the first minor change to the S660. Firstly the colors; the black color became more black, the bright blue color darker blue and a new color dark green was added. Regarding the specifications; LED interior lighting was standard, a new package that would enable of a (aftermarket) navigation package was made available and the option for the alpha of having the driver and passenger seat in a different color was abolished.
Shortly after the first minor change a new grade called the Modulo X was introduced. It was the factory tuned version of the S660. For the exterior an new front bumper was designed with LED foglights in it. It was also formed such that the air flow improved steering stability. Aerodynamic improvements were also done at the rear with a new active rear spoiler going up at 70 km/h or with the press of a button. A unique silver color called Alabaster Silver Metallic was available only for the Modulo X. The canvas top came in red color as standard as well as the seats and parts of the dashboard and steering wheel. Another standout in the interior for the manual transmission version was the titanium gear knob. Under the skin the Modulo X got a new suspension for which the damping force could be manually adjusted in 5 settings. The brakes with a red color were housed behind black colored Modulo wheels.
December 2018 another special edition was being offered. The Trad Leather Edition was based on the alpha grade and had a light tan toned interior. Leather pieces in this color were used on the steering wheel and passenger side dashboard panel. The seats came in the same half leather half suede as the alpha, with the leather part now being light tan colored. Other interior garnishes that are normally silver colored, now where dark toned. The roof came brown colored and the exterior color could be had in dark green metallic, white or black. Instead of the polished wheels of the alpha grade, the Trad Leather Edition got the same black as the Bruno Leather Edition.
In January 2020 there was a minor model released which had quite some exterior changes. The a-pillars where now in body color, the indicators were moved from the fenders to the mirrors, the color of the inner part of the headlights and front grille changed, and the rear combination lamps got a darker “smoked” design. The alpha and beta grade got a new design aluminium wheels. A change to the exterior color options was done and a new bright green color being added. For the alpha grade there were some unique changes such as the addition of daytime running lights in the front bumper, a new seat pattern, seat heaters and alcantara trim on the steering wheel and gear knob. The Modulo X got several additional interior pieces covered in alcantara.
Honda announced the S660 would soon go to end of production in March 2021 and as a final special specification model, Honda released the Modulo X Version Z grade. Based on the regular Modulo X, this Version Z got a lot a black details. The Honda emblems were changed to black chrome, wheels got a different color called stealth black and the active rear spoiler was not in body color but in black. Several interior panels got a carbon tone look and a new storage bag was added in between the front seats. Two exterior colors were available, white and a unique gray color called Sonic Gray Pearl. The Modulo X Version Z was only available with the manual transmission. Around 2070 units of this special version have been sold.
In total however, the amount of produced S660 reached over 35000. The S660 was not by produced by Honda themselves, but Honda outsourced the production to Yachiyo Industry that also produced the Honda Acty and Vamos. All three models were produced on the same assembly line. The factory is located in Yokkaichi in Mie prefecture.
Click on the picture below to see the Honda S660 details and specifications per year such as weight, new price and equipment for each version in the Goo-net.com catalog.
The S660 also had a wide range of accessories. Below are the official Honda catalog PDF versions:
Other versions of the S660
Honda tuner Mugen also sold a version of the S660 called the Mugen RA. Limited to 660 units only, it has become a highly sought after model nowadays. As expected, a lot of special Mugen parts were used. The front grille was replaced with carbon one that has the Mugen RA logo. Another logo could also be found on the back where the new double pipe exhaust replaced the standard oval shaped one. In the interior new red leather seats, a steering wheel and updated meter cluster installed, all having the Mugen logo. Behind the shift lever was also a plate with the serial number. For the chassis there was also a major change with new Bilstein height adjustable suspension and BBS forged lightweight wheels (same size as the original S660). The Mugen RA could be had in red, white and black exterior color.
At the Tokyo Auto Salon 2016 Honda showed a retro concept based on S660 called the Neo Classic and the reactions were so overwhelming good that Honda decided to take the conversion kit into production. The kit excluding painting and fitting costs 1.32 Million yen. The original panels are replaced with new ones.
S660 Colors
Below here is an overview of all the S660 colors per grade over the years:
Here are pictures for each of the exterior colors with the paint codes below it:
And here is an overview of all the interior color variations:
Bonus pictures
