The Little Giant: Charting the Evolution of the Honda S660
In the sprawling, often-uniform landscape of modern automaking, a few rare gems emerge that defy convention. They are not built to win spreadsheet comparisons or haul families. They are built for a singular, almost sacred purpose: the pure, unadulterated joy of driving. From 2015 to 2022, the Honda S660 was one such gem—a pocket-sized, mid-engine marvel that proved the greatest thrills often come in the smallest packages. A spiritual successor to the beloved 1990s Honda Beat, the S660 was a uniquely Japanese creation, a masterpiece of engineering constrained and perfected by the country’s Kei-jidosha (light automobile) regulations. This is the story of its evolution, a short but brilliant chapter in Honda’s performance legacy.
Genesis: From Electric Concept to Midship Amusement
The journey of the S660 began not with a roar, but with a hum. At the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show, Honda unveiled the EV-STER concept, a futuristic, all-electric, two-seat convertible. Its aggressive wedge shape, joystick-style steering, and electric powertrain pointed towards a digital-age sports car. The public reception was overwhelmingly positive, but the call for a gasoline-powered spiritual successor to the Honda Beat was undeniable. Honda listened.
The project was handed over to a team led by Ryo Mukumoto, who, in a remarkable testament to Honda’s corporate culture, was just 22 years old when he proposed the initial design and became the youngest chief engineer in the company’s history. The mandate was clear: capture the essence of the EV-STER’s design but infuse it with the mechanical soul of a true Honda sports car, all while adhering to the strict kei car rules. These regulations limit engine displacement to 660cc and power output to a modest 63 horsepower (64 PS). The challenge was not to create a fast car, but an incredibly fun one. The resulting philosophy was dubbed “Midship Amusement.”
2015: The Grand Debut and the Core Lineup
After years of development, the production Honda S660 was officially launched in Japan on April 2, 2015. It was an instant sensation. The final design remained remarkably faithful to the EV-STER concept, featuring sharp, angular lines, a low-slung profile, and a purposeful stance. The “targa-style” soft-top, which could be manually removed and stowed in a small front compartment, offered an open-air experience without compromising chassis rigidity.
Underneath the rear engine cover sat the heart of the machine: the S07A turbocharged three-cylinder engine. While its 658cc displacement and 63 hp output were dictated by law, Honda’s engineers worked their magic. The engine was fitted with a bespoke turbocharger designed to minimize lag and provide a responsive, linear power band, revving eagerly to a 7,700 rpm redline. Crucially, it was paired with a newly developed, short-throw 6-speed manual transmission—a rarity in the kei class and a clear signal of the car’s enthusiast focus. For those preferring a more relaxed drive, a 7-speed paddle-shifting Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) with a “Sport” mode was also available.
Upon its debut, the S660 was offered in two primary trim levels:
β (Beta): The entry-level model, the Beta was the purest distillation of the S660 experience. It came with fabric seats, a simple urethane steering wheel, 15-inch front and 16-inch rear alloy wheels, and basic amenities. It was the lightweight, no-frills choice for drivers who valued dynamics above all else.
α (Alpha): The more premium trim, the Alpha added a host of creature comforts and aesthetic upgrades. These included combination leather/fabric sport seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, stainless steel sport pedals, cruise control, and an upgraded interior trim package. It was the choice for those who wanted their weekend sports car with a touch of daily-driving civility.
To celebrate the launch, Honda also released a limited-run special edition:
Concept Edition (660 units): This highly sought-after model was a tribute to the original prototype. It came exclusively in Premium Star White Pearl paint with a Bordeaux red soft-top. The interior featured two-tone asymmetric leather seats (light grey for the driver, dark grey for the passenger), a serialized number plate on the center console, and water-repellent “Ultra Suede” coating on the body and glass. It was an instant collector’s item.
2017-2018: Refinement and Stylistic Diversions
With the S660 proving to be a critical and commercial success, Honda began introducing special editions that catered to different tastes, moving beyond pure sportiness to embrace a sense of style and sophistication.
Bruno Leather Edition (November 2017): This special model aimed for a more mature, classic roadster aesthetic. It was available in two exclusive colors, Velvet Maroon Metallic and Premium Star White Pearl. The defining feature was its luxurious tan leather interior, which covered the seats, dashboard, and door panels. It also featured a brown soft-top and unique black chrome accents on the exterior, lending it a distinctly European feel.
Komorebi Edition (May 2018): In a uniquely Japanese touch, this edition was named after the word for “sunlight filtering through the trees.” It was designed to evoke a feeling of relaxed, scenic driving. It came in three gentle colors, including the exclusive Hidamari Ivory Pearl, and featured a light tan interior with a brown soft-top. This model was exclusively offered with the CVT, reinforcing its positioning as a stylish, comfortable cruiser rather than a hardcore sports machine.
The Ultimate Expression: The Modulo X
In July 2018, Honda introduced the model that would become the pinnacle of the S660 lineup: the Modulo X. Modulo is Honda’s in-house accessory and performance tuning division, and the S660 Modulo X was a comprehensive, factory-tuned performance package. This was not merely a cosmetic upgrade; it was a significant enhancement of the car’s dynamic capabilities.
The key changes included:
Aerodynamics: A completely redesigned front bumper with integrated aero fins and a unique gloss black grille. At the rear, an active rear spoiler was added, which would automatically raise at speeds over 70 km/h (43 mph) to increase downforce and stability.
Chassis and Suspension: The Modulo X featured a specially tuned suspension with 5-stage adjustable dampers, allowing the driver to fine-tune the car’s handling characteristics from comfortable to track-ready.
Brakes and Wheels: Drilled brake rotors and upgraded brake pads improved stopping power and fade resistance. Exclusive stealth black 15/16-inch alloy wheels completed the look.
Interior: The cabin was adorned with exclusive Modulo X branding. It featured a luxurious blend of Bordeaux red and black leather/suede on the seats, a unique leather-wrapped steering wheel with red stitching, an Alcantara-wrapped handbrake lever, and a titanium gear knob for the manual transmission version.
The Modulo X was the S660 in its ultimate form—sharper, more focused, and visually more aggressive, proving how much performance could be extracted from the kei car platform.
2020: The Final Facelift and the Swan Song
By 2020, the S660 received its one and only major facelift. The changes were subtle but effective, refining the car’s appearance for its final years. The most noticeable update was that the A-pillars, previously black on all models, were now color-matched to the body, giving the car a more cohesive and premium look. The front grille design was tweaked, the headlight and taillight internals received a new smoked tint, and new alloy wheel designs were introduced for the Alpha and Beta trims. New color options, such as Active Green Pearl, were also added to the palette.
Inside, the Alpha and Modulo X models received Alcantara trim on the steering wheel and gear shift boot, and heated seats became an option, adding a welcome touch of comfort for cool-weather driving.
However, the writing was on the wall. Evolving safety and emissions regulations in Japan were making it increasingly difficult for low-volume, specialized models like the S660 to remain compliant. The requirements for pedestrian protection (affecting hood height) and stricter noise regulations posed insurmountable challenges for its low-slung, mid-engine design. In March 2021, Honda made the sad announcement: production of the S660 would cease in March 2022.
To commemorate its departure, Honda announced one final special edition:
Modulo X Version Z (March 2021): This was the S660’s grand finale. Based on the top-tier Modulo X, the Version Z added exclusive touches to create the ultimate collectible. It was available only in Sonic Gray Pearl or Premium Star White Pearl. Cosmetic enhancements included blacked-out Honda emblems, a black active rear spoiler, and black Modulo X wheels. The interior featured a unique plaque commemorating it as the final version, and the color scheme was a sophisticated mix of gray and black suede with contrasting stitching.
The response to the Version Z was staggering. The entire production run sold out almost instantly. Faced with overwhelming demand, Honda announced in November 2021 that it would produce an additional, final batch of 650 cars, including 600 S660s (across all trims) and 50 of the N-ONE RS kei car, for customers who were placed on a waitlist. This final act was a testament to the deep affection enthusiasts held for this tiny roadster.
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Legacy of a Modern Classic
The final Honda S660 rolled off the production line in March 2022, closing a vibrant seven-year chapter. In its lifetime, it never strayed from its core mission. It was never a car defined by numbers on a spec sheet but by the smile it put on its driver’s face. It was a masterclass in chassis balance, tactile feedback, and the joy of wringing every last ounce of performance from a small, high-revving engine.
From the foundational purity of the Beta to the refined style of the Bruno Leather Edition and the focused performance of the Modulo X, the evolution of the Honda S660 was one of careful refinement and thoughtful diversification. It remained a uniquely Japanese car, a product of specific regulations that fostered immense creativity. For a brief, brilliant period, the Honda S660 carried the torch for lightweight, accessible sports cars, reminding the world that the size of the car has no bearing on the size of the fun. It was, and will remain, a true little giant.
