Honda Ascot
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Honda Ascot was a name given to two motorcycles and two cars produced by Honda. The motorcycles to carry the name, the FT500 and VT500FT, were produced with the Ascot name between 1982 and 1984. The two automobiles produced as Ascots were built in two generations, the first from 1989–1993 and the second from 1993–1997.
The Honda Ascot Innova is the Japanese-market name for the Europe-bound Honda Accord between 1993–1997. Honda provided this car to the Rover Group, who modified the car to create its own Rover 600.
Engine choices were:
- 1.8i (Europe-only)
- 2.0i
- 2.0 TD (Europe)
- 2.3i VTEC
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[edit] FT500'82
The Honda Ascot, designated FT500'82, was sold in 1982. Colors: Monza Red or Black. The tank stripes and the "FT500" decal were gray and silver on the red bike and red and orange on the black bike. The speedometer was limited to 85 mph (135 km/h). The headlight was rectangular and so were the instruments. The engine was a 498 cc SOHC, 4-valve single cylinder with 8.6:1 compression ratio, and one carburetor. The transmission was a 5-speed (1st=2.462:1 2nd=1.647:1 3rd=1.250:1 4th=1.000:1 5th=0.840:1). Stock gearing is 15/42(3.71:1). The brakes were single piston disk front and rear. Top speed: 90+ mph. Fuel mileage: 40+ mpg. The serial numbers began with JH2PC0708CM000019.
[edit] FT500'83
The FT500'83 was sold in 1983 in one of two colors: Monza Red or Black. The tank and side cover stripes on the red bike were white and blue; but on the black bike they were silver and red. The headlight and instruments were rectangular. The speedometer had a 120 mph (195 km/h) limit. The engine was a 498 cc OHC, 4-valve single cylinder with one carburetor. The transmission was a 5-speed. The serial number began JH2PC070*DM100001.
[edit] VT500FT'83
The VT500FT'83 Ascot was sold in 1983 in one of two colors: Pearl Siren Blue or Candy Bourgogne Red. The side cover panel on the blue bike was silver, but on the red bike it was black. The gas tank wing decal was 2-tone. The 2-into-1 exhaust system was black chrome. The engine was a 491 cc OHC 3-valve liquid cooled V-twin linked to a 6-speed transmission and a shaft drive. The serial number began JH2PC070*DM100001.
[edit] VT500FT'84
The VT500FT'84 Ascot was sold in 1984 in one of two colors: Black or Brutal sexy blood Red. The side cover panel on the black bike was silver, but on the red bike it was black. The gas tank wing decal was 3-tone. The 2-into-1 exhaust system was black chrome. The engine was a 491 cc OHC 3-valve liquid cooled V-twin linked to a 6-speed transmission and a shaft drive. The serial number began JH2PC070*EM100001.
[edit] Car: 1989-93
The first Honda car with the name Ascot was announced in September 1989. This was identical to the new Honda Accord announced at the same time, save the front and rear ends. It had been created so that Honda can push the car in two different dealership channels.
[edit] Car: 1993-97
The second Honda Ascot was introduced in October 1993. It also has a sister car, the Honda Rafaga, for different retail channels. Unlike the first Ascot, however, this car was not based on the Accord. Instead, it features a 5-cylinder engine, longitudinally laid out in the engine bay, with the gearbox slotted underneath it. This layout is the same as the Acura Vigor and Acura Legend at the time. The Ascot is shorter and narrower than the Vigor, and features as its selling point a taller roofline than most Honda sedans. 2.0- and 2.5-liter engines were available.
The Ascot and Rafaga were discontinued in late 1997 as a new Honda Accord and its sister, the Accord Torneo, came on board. These were a few inches shorter and narrower than the US-bound Accord.
