The exhaust note raises hairs and widens eyes and the initial surge of acceleration, though not epic, still brings a smile. Then came the first turn and a long right-hander. Smile plastered! The S660 turns in with ease and sticks to the tarmac. It’s precise and quick, nimble and energetic and feels like a flea on steroids with you in the saddle. The open roof, the G-meter on the info console, the sounds from the engine — inches from the back of my head, and driving the rear wheels — are all major stimulating factors, and the little car urges you to push and find the limits of its grip. Even with the CVT automatic, it was still so much fun, coaxing you to throw it around sideways. The just-adequate tyres do a great job of keeping the car planted and in line, while the low centre of gravity delivers some much-needed exhilaration in the corners and on the exit. What truly astounds is how well the S660 captures the essence of driving. It provides a soulful experience and that is something which — some of the time — all the money in the world can’t buy.
Some quick laps later, I got out – very reluctantly – and bid goodbye to one of the best, most engaging cars I’ve driven of late. It’s not the fastest, not the quickest, probably not the best-looking either, and with the 25-litre tank, isn’t going very far either. But those are all beside the point. This is a car that was simply created to drive and thoroughly enjoy it. And, for that alone, it’s a winner.
Need To Know
Honda S660 α CVT
Price: ¥2.18 million (Rs 12 lakh) (ex-Tokyo)
Engine: 658-cc, in-line three, turbo-petrol
Transmission: CVT, automatic, rear-wheel-drive
Max Power: 64 PS @ 6,000 RPM
Max Torque: 104 Nm @ 2,600 RPM
Weight: 850 kg
On Sale: Only in Japan, sadly
