The Honda Z (also called the Z600) is a two-door hatchback kei car produced and sold by Honda, a Japanese car manufacturer, from 1970 to 1974. When domestic models acquired pillarless bodywork in 1972, exports faded out. From 1998 until 2003, Honda sold a kei-class SUV that had no link to the original 'Z' but used the same nameplate.
History of the Honda Z
Honda Z (1970–1974)
The two-door Honda Z was sold in most countries until 1973, after its October 1970 launch. Model years 1970 to 1972 saw American production of the bigger 598cc engine, which ended before the debut of the Civic. American motorcycle retailers offered both models side-by-side until stand-alone vehicle dealers began selling Honda Civic models separately. The available engines for this period were a 354 cc I2, a 356 cc EA I2, and a 598 cc I2. The transmissions were a 4/5-speed manual and a 2-speed Hondamatic transmission. There were a total of 40,586 units produced.
Europe
Europe was the only market for the Z600, as the Z360 was seen as weak in the region. In Europe, 918 automobiles were sold, with the majority going to France and Switzerland. As a result, many of these automobiles ended up in Germany, where the engines were sleeved to match a unique "Class IV" class of driver's licenses that required no exam. These cars debuted in 1969, following the discontinuation of the Goggomobil 250, the last 250cc automobile in regular production at the time.
Honda Z (1998–2002)
The Honda Z was a retro-styled subcompact SUV from Honda Motor Company. It was launched in 1998 and stopped production in 2002. It was a two-door Honda Life with an in-the-center engine installation. The Yachiyo Industry Co., a Honda division that makes light vehicles, produced the PA1 Honda Z, which went on sale to the public on October 9, 1998. The Z and its Honda Acty brother had the same basic chassis, the midship engine arrangement, and the 4WD powertrain. In contrast to the Acty, this automobile was designed to carry four passengers and, as such, had to meet the exact safety requirements of a passenger car. There was a normally aspirated and turbocharged version of the E07Z three-cylinder engine. New exhaust pollution regulations were about to take effect when Honda stopped the Z's production in August 2002. The Honda SUV Kei-car is intended to be the first and last of its kind. The engines available for this period were a 656 cc E07Z NA/turbo I3 engine with a 4-speed automatic transmission.
Price
In 2000, Honda retailed the Z model from 1,058,000 yen to 1,288,000 yen, which ranges from 1,106,409 yen to 1,346,933 yen at the 2022 exchange rate ($8,453 to $10,291).
Features of the Honda Z
The vehicle's upkeep was made more complex due to the odd configuration of the components. Hanging out the back wheels for an air filter replacement and dismantling the suspension was essential for these two jobs. Cars with 4WD Real Time All-Wheel Drive systems have front wheels that lead and, if needed, rear wheels that immediately link to them in normal driving mode. Consider the Honda Z's excellent steadiness because the vehicle's center of gravity was located beneath the front seats. It's also worth noting that the 15-inch wheels, which are ideal for poor roads, were added. When it came to the Honda Z's interior, it was nice and snug except for the back seats, which were more suited to carrying baggage than people.
Specs and Performance of the Honda Z
Honda installed a 656 cc E07Z NA/turbo I3 engine inside the Honda Z, and it delivers 62 hp (47 kW) at 6,000 rpm and 68 lb-ft (93 Nm) at 6,000 rpm of torque.
Honda manufactured the Z model as an all-wheel-drive (AWD) model with a 4-speed automatic transmission.
Release Date
Honda released the Honda Z from 1970 to 1974 and reintroduced the model in 1998 until 2002.