Kei Sports Cars: Small Packages of Fun
Sean Gearoid O'Siochain
Japan’s kei, or light, car class features a small engine (3 cylinder, 660cc) and compact dimensions. The main concept of these vehicles is economy and convenience. But two Japanese car companies, Daihatsu and Honda—as well as Suzuki, through a collaboration—are expanding the image of these little monsters with pocket-sized sports cars.
Daihatsu Copen
http://www.copenworld.com/community/
The Daihatsu Copen is two-seat convertible (aluminum) hard-top sports car using the kei class 660cc, turbo-charged three-cylinder engine. The power output is 47kW (63 bhp) and performance is brisk. It’s available with five-speed manual, by far the most popular choice to enhance its sporty image, and four-speed automatic. The Copen originally debuted on the Japanese market in 2002 in a style with lots of round curves, but the latest model (the so-called second generation) arrived in 2014 and has a more aggressive, angular styling theme, though engine capacity remains unchanged.
Honda S660
http://www.topgear.com/car-news/supercar/honda%E2%80%99s-adorable-s660
The Honda S660 Roadster is the latest Japanese kei sports car to come onto the market, using a highly tuned three-cylinder (660cc) kei engine. The styling is futuristic to complement its quick performance. It also has a removable roof similar to a classic Targa top.
The S660 uses a mid-engine configuration that enables crisp, precise handling, the small turbo-charged engine producing 47kW (63 bhp) under a six-speed manual transmission. The car's compact size, light weight and low center of gravity means it is enormous fun to drive.
Caterham Seven 160
http://uk.caterhamcars.com/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_full/public/gallery/caterham-seven-160-11a.jpg?itok=CGLtAJIl
The Honda S660 Roadster is the latest Japanese kei sports car to come onto the market, using a highly tuned three-cylinder (660cc) kei engine. The styling is futuristic to complement its quick performance. It also has a removable roof similar to a classic Targa top.
The S660 uses a mid-engine configuration that enables crisp, precise handling, the small turbo-charged engine producing 47kW (63 bhp) under a six-speed manual transmission. The car's compact size, light weight and low center of gravity means it is enormous fun to drive.
