From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Honda Z

Manufacturer	Honda
Also called	Honda 600 Coupe Honda AZ600 Honda Z360 Honda Z600
Production	1970–1974
Successor	Honda Civic
Class	Kei car
Body style(s)	2-door coupé
Layout	FF layout
Engine(s)	354 cc I2, 31-36 hp 598 cc I2
Transmission(s)	4 speed or 5 speed manual
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 (1,310 lb)
Fuel capacity	26 litres (6.9 US gal; 5.7 imp gal)
Related	Honda N600

Honda Z is the name of a kei class two door hatchback automobile made by the Honda Motor Company:

The vehicle was called the "Z" followed by the size of the engine, and was included in the name and identity of the vehicle.

The two-door Honda Z600 was a Kei Car designed and built by Honda sold from 1970 to 1972, before the introduction of the Civic in 1973. Marketed as the "sport coupé" version of the N600 "sedan", the two models were sold side by side at American motorcycle dealerships until the first stand alone dealers opened with the Civic on their lots. Total production was 40,586 units^{[citation needed]}.

The export name of this car, the Z600, was simply because of the engine size of 598cc. This vehicle was available in Japan and other markets as the Z360, again due to the smaller engine size of 354cc. The "Z" designation was resurrected in 1998 and was discontinued again in 2003.

As with all cars in the Kei class, the Z600's specifications were tightly governed. The Z600 features an air-cooled, 354 cc 2 cylinder engine with a 4 or 5 speed transmission driving the front wheels. Exported cars carried a 598 cc engine, which was rated at 36 hp (26 kW). The 354 cc version was available in Australia. One car magazine recording 136 mpg_-imp (2.08 L/100 km; 113 mpg_-US) when they didn't exceed 30 mph (48 km/h),^[1] which came at almost the perfect time with a gasoline shortage looming.

Despite its small size and low-powered engine, it had no problem maintaining freeway speeds and serving its purpose as a commuter. The only frequent complaint about the car was that it had a very harsh ride, which was largely due to its short wheelbase. The interior fit two adults comfortably, though the back seat was not nearly so.

The car featured a black plastic hatchback that revealed a small shallow cargo area. Below the cargo area was a locker that was accessed via a hatch hidden behind the number plate. This locker contained the spare wheel and tools.

Front suspension was coil sprung and independent the rear has leaf springs on a beam axle. The rear springing contributed to the poor handling. In the UK the Z600 was only available in orange with a black stripe up the side.

A Honda Z featured in the Australian film Malcolm as a get-away car that split into two.

1972 Honda Z600

1972 Honda Z360

[edit] 1998 Reintroduction

Honda Z

Manufacturer	Honda
Production	1998–2002
Class	Kei car
Body style(s)	2-door SUV
Layout	M4 layout / AWD
Engine(s)	660 cc E07Z I3 Turbo 64 PS (47 kW; 63 bhp)
Transmission(s)	4 speed automatic
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	970 kg (2,100 lb)

The Honda Z was a subcompact (656cc) by Honda Motor Company introduced in 1998 and discontinued in 2003.

Direct Translation from Japanese Wikipedia for Honda Z reintroduction

On October 9, 1998, Honda introduced a SUV-type four-wheel-drive vehicle, and called it the "Z" and revived the name from the 1970s. Manufactured for Honda by Yachiyo Industry Co., Honda truck maker series of light manufacturing and light trucks the basic structure of the engine mounted mid-engined placement of its Honda Acty Van 4 WD / Street 4 WD as well as "4-seater mid-engined 4 WD Hoops. Such a method of loading, then the mini-vehicle crash safety standards that dramatically clear.

AT three-speed transmission instead of the 4-speed AT EF Honda Civic to divert from the components that, NA All of the taxis are turbo and the engine upright. In addition, under the rear seat mounted on a mid-engined, "UM-4" (Under Midship 4WD). Honda Vamos HOBIO the same reason and a turbo AT-and four-wheel drive vehicles, four-wheel drive is active on the AT, but the car is upright, upright car for the engine, engine oil change during the indoor maintenance door To remove the need, with maintenance problems. Vertical viscous differential a mid-engined, four-wheel-drive vehicle such as that of the Lamborghini Diablo. Feature on the design of the rear-engine car and SUV side door unique style large-diameter tires, more expensive cars. At the time, even while luxury sedan car outside the system adopted. At the grip-style door handles adoption of a double-cover headlights and a perspective that is noteworthy. Capa, the first deployment of the "J MUBA" trim level protege as "K MUBA" trim level as in the series. None of the two types of turbo power unit that includes both 4-speed AT are combined. At that time, CM character of American rock group ZZ Top appeared on the subject. CM shooting of ZZ Top, "Z" of the original pronunciation is "ZUI" but "Z" is pronounced, and I had to be. In June 2000 as a special "super emotion" bumper body is the same color and the option of speakers + CD player, privacy glass as standard equipment on a turbo car price cuts of between 10 million and Hoops, so after bumper vehicles sold in the same color of the vehicle body is predominant. August 2002, no exhaust emission controls for production tomorrow. Honda SUV, and suspend the light of the brand is present in the first and last. HONDA access options part of the step and skirt with a side of fender protector sold after the end while in the vehicle inspection and non-compliant (caused by the stringent safety regulations have been interpreted), and free car inspection function Exchange is being made, but there is no step on the side skirt, a plastic protector of the original which was a mere rubber and indicate that sales prices are dramatically low. It has been pointed out as selling goods from the back of a canceled last minute.

[edit] Notes

[edit] References

• Honda Z360, Japanese sales brochure, #ZK1-7009 (1970)

[edit] External links

• ThisOldHonda.org Z600
• 1970s Honda Z Sales Brochure
• Steve's Honda 600 Coupe
• Hondazcar The Uk's only Z600 site
• 2002 Honda Z (japanese)
• Honda Z family tree (japanese)