As it already offers Japanese buyers models called Life and Fit, it’s perhaps appropriate Honda should name its new domestic Kei-class minicar the Zest.
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The new baby, on sale 1 March, is claimed to be the first minicar in Japan with an (optional) side curtain airbag system for both front and rear seats.
As is the case with new European city cars, the Zest body is designed to protect the occupants while being more ‘compatible’ with other vehicles to mitigate reduce damage and to reduce injury in vehicle/pedestrian accidents. Honda has also introduced what it calls a ‘head shock protection interior’ designed, of course, to protect vehicle occupants from head shocks in a collision.
All models have front seats designed to reduce the impact of a rear collision on a passenger’s neck area.
To help avoid the crash in the first place, all models have anti-lock brakes with electronic brake distribution and brake assist.
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By GlobalDataLike many other Japanese domestic market models of all sizes, the Zest will also be offered with a tilt-up sliding front passenger seat and wheelchair-accessible models will be available starting from 17 March.
Although a tiny car even by European citycar standards, the Zest doesn’t skimp on technology, offering normally aspirated or turbocharged 660cc engines only with four-speed electronically controlled automatic transmissions and the option of four-wheel drive.
Gadgety includes a hard-disc navigation/entertainment system, newly-developed high-performance deodorizing air cleaning filters treated with anti-allergenic materials to control pollen and other allergens and something that’s only starting to become common on cheaper Japanese-market cars – a security alarm and engine immobiliser.
Honda was the third largest minicar builder in December after Suzuki and Daihatsu, according to the Japanese Automobile Manufacturers Association. Honda built 16,429 kei-class cars out of a total 101,411 autos during the month.
Graeme Roberts
