Honda Z
Honda Z is a two-door compact crossover first represented by Japanese car manufacturing company Honda in 1998. Similar car with Z character was created in 1970 – it was two-door microcar named Z600. For this small car two 2-cylinder engines were elaborated – V354 cc and V598 cc (for exported cars) with power from 30 to 36 hp. Z600 existed in two transmissions – 4 and 5-step manual gearbox. Z600 production was stopped in 1974.
Coming back to contemporary model named HondaZ. The only similarity between 1970-model and the 1998-model is that both are small-cars. Technical equipment of new model is undoubtedly absolutely different.
Exterior of the car looks like Honda SMX but equipment is comparable with another well-known model – Suzuki Jimmy. Producers managed to create something like small SUV. Nevertheless in spite of full drive the car is not intended for tough off-road (and it is the thing it yields Suzuki) but it is good enough in rough village road.
Honda Z was powered by 3-cylinder 12-valve engine SOHC with 660 cubic capacity. Two types of power units were elaborated – 52 power engine with atmosphere air-intake and 64 power turbo motor. Engine and transmission were situated under back-seats. Such unusual aggregates allocation was a real problem for car technical service. For air filter replacement rear wheels should be hung out and for timing belt replacement an axle should be disassembled. Car was equipped with full drive system where in common situation front wheels were leading and rear wheels joined if necessary.
It is worth to mention that Honda Z had excellent stability because its center of gravity was under front seats. It is also remarkable that 15-inch wheels established on a compact were perfectly suitable for bad roads.
As for Honda Z salon, it was quite cozy, only back seats were not absolutely convenient for passengers, but were practice enough for cargo placement.
In 2003 production of the Honda Z model was stopped.