Honda Z

Honda
Honda Z600 - manufactured around 1972
Z
Production period:	1970-1974
Class :	Microcar
Body versions :	Coupe
Engines:	Otto engines : 0.35-0.6 liters (20-28 kW)
Length:	3125 mm
Width:	1295 mm
Height:	1280 mm
Wheelbase :	2000 mm
Empty weight :	595 kg
Previous model	Honda N600
successor	Honda Civic

Honda Z was called an unconventionally designed coupé in 1970 , which Honda developed on the basis of the N600 sedan. This sports car was a kei car in Japan . The export took place with a larger engine. The export model was not changed for this, while the Japanese model was even offered with a water-cooled engine on the Life platform from 1972 .

Almost 25 years passed before there was a Z again from 1998: a coupe with underfloor - mid-engine and four-wheel drive . But this Z was also discontinued after a short time, in 2002.

Model and engine overview

Coupe from 1970 to 1974

The Z Coupe is the sports car for the N series. Its styling is reminiscent of creations by the Italian coachbuilder Zagato from the 1960s.

Based on the experience with the underpowered N 360 , the Z Coupe was equipped with the 0.6 liter engine of the N 600 for export . From 1970 to 1971 Honda offered the Z 360 on the platform of the N 360 and from 1970 to 1974 for export the Z 600 on the platform of the N 600. Because of the eye-catching frame around the hinged rear window, it was called "diving goggles". It is worth mentioning the separate tailgate for the spare wheel, which divides the rear bumper into three.

In 1970, Zagato created a buggy based on the N 360 called Hondina Youngstar , which was sold in small numbers in Italy.

In the Z 600 Coupe, the air-cooled N 600 engine was installed in various power levels up to the end of production: USA version with disarmed camshaft 36 PS (26.5 kW) and European version with 38 PS (28 kW). The chassis corresponds to that of the US saloon (mainland except Hawaii ), so it has a stabilizer instead of the push rods. The US versions are easy to identify by the bumper brackets on the front bumper and the large side marker lights. They also had a synchronized gearbox. The Z600 or AZ600 (USA) did not come with an automatic transmission. On the other hand, as with the sedan, there was also a twin carburetor variant with higher output (Z 360). As early as 1971, the Z 360 Coupe was replaced on the local market by a successor with the new water-cooled engine from the Life, which was recognizable by the slightly longer front and the front axle that was moved to the front.

The Z 600 Coupé was not officially offered in Germany. But a large part of the total of 918 vehicles registered in Europe came to Germany via France or Switzerland. However, like the N 250, they were often converted for holders of a class IV driving license (obtained before December 1, 1954; no practical test). After that, the vehicle called ASS-250 "Z" could of course no longer be called a sports car.

In 1971 the Z 360 Coupe received the platform of Life with the new water-cooled engine. With the Z 600 Coupe, on the other hand, nothing changed until the end of production. In 1972 the coupe appeared in Japan as the Z 360 hardtop with fully retractable rear side windows without a B-pillar. The separate compartment for the spare wheel was omitted so that the rear bumper could be divided into two segments.

In the Australian crime comedy Malcolm from 1986, a converted Z360, which can be divided in half, is used as a getaway car in a bank robbery.

Models

Type code	model	from ... to	design type	Displacement	kW ( PS )
AZ360	coupe	1970-1971	coupe	354 cm 3	20 (27)
AZ600		1970-1974		598 cm 3	26 (36) (USA) 28 (38) (Europe)
SA	coupe	1971-1972	coupe	356 cm 3	26 (36) (2 carburettors)
	Hard top	1972-1974

Coupe from 1998 to 2002

Honda Z (1998-2002)

The second generation of the Honda Z from 1998 was, like its predecessor, a more sporty kei car - there was a model with a turbo engine - although it could also be viewed as a micro SUV .

The engine was taken over from the Honda Life , which was sold at the same time, but the platform and body were independent developments.

The model had a number of technical features: the mid-engine - after the NSX and the Beat, only the third Honda production car with this drive concept - was installed as an underfloor engine and thus ensured better weight distribution. The car also had all-wheel drive and an automatic four-speed gearbox.

Models

Type code	model	from ... to	design type	Displacement	kW ( PS )
PA1	Z, super emotion	1998-2002	MicroSUV	656 cm 3	38 (52)
	Z Turbo, super emotion	2000-2002			47 (64)