Honda N360
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Honda N360 | |
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| Manufacturer | Honda |
| Also called | Honda LN360 Honda N400 Honda N600 |
| Production | 1967–1972 |
| Successor | Honda Civic |
| Class | Keicar |
| Body style(s) | 2-door sedan 2-door wagon |
| Engine(s) | 354 cc I2 402 cc I2 599 cc I2 |
| Wheelbase | 2000 mm (78.7 in) |
| Related | Honda Z600 |
The Honda N360 is a Kei Car, designed and built by Honda and produced from March 1967 through 1970, while its larger N600 brother lasted three more years. The car featured front wheel drive and an air-cooled 354 cc, 31 hp (23 kW) 2 cylinder engine with live axle/leaf spring rear suspension.
A 2-door sedan was the original body style, with a 2-door wagon called the LN360 coming in June of the first year. An upgraded 36 hp (27 kW) engine was added in October 1968 for the N360 T. A 402 cc engine was used in the similar N400.
The Hondamatic-equipped 1968 N360AT was the first Keicar with an automatic transmission.
The N600 was introduced in 1969 as a 1970 model, and was the first Honda automobile to be officially imported to the United States. It was technologically advanced for its time, with an all alloy engine which could achieve 9000 rpm. Engine output was 36–45 hp (27–34 kW) and the N600 was capable of 81 mph (130 km/h). It delivered surprisingly peppy performance because of its light weight (around 550 kg/1100 pounds), due to compact dimensions and some plastic parts (like the boot lid). The first brakes were very weak, despite having front disks and power assist. Rear suspension was a live axle on leaf springs.
Production was stopped in 1972, along with the sportier Honda Z600 (or Z-Act, depending on country). The first generation Honda Civic replaced these little cars with something a little more suited to the American Interstate system.
