Honda Beat PP1
Honda put a tiny three-cylinder engine behind two seats and made a kei roadster that rewards revs instead of turbo boost.
1991 Honda Beat E-PP1 museum car · 先従隗始 · CC0 1.0
More than a set of wheels.
The Beat arrived in Japan on May 15, 1991 as the country's first kei-class two-seat, mid-engine open car. It squeezed a genuine sports-car layout into the kei rules of the day: a 656 cc engine, very short body and two seats. Honda called its high-rev breathing system MTREC and paired it only with a close, short-throw five-speed manual.
Look a little closer.
The three round instruments are mounted in a motorcycle-like pod that is visually separate from the dashboard.
Photos show an example of the model or generation. The pictured vehicle’s year, equipment, or modifications can differ from the specification described here.
Mid-engine balance in kei-car dimensions
Honda packaged the engine between the cabin and rear axle, then used unequal tire sizes—13-inch fronts and 14-inch rears. With one occupant, Honda reported 43:57 front-to-rear weight distribution and a 440 mm center-of-gravity height. Those choices made the Beat feel like a purpose-built sports car, not just a hatchback with its roof removed.
Source: Honda newsroom · Beat launch release ↗How MTREC makes a small engine feel lively
MTREC means Multi Throttle Responsive Engine Control. Honda combined individual throttle passages with a control-map change, a large air-cleaner case, tapered intake runners and a freer exhaust. The result was the kei-class limit of 64 PS without a turbo, but only high in the rev range—an engineering choice that makes gear changes part of the fun.
Source: Honda press information · 1991 Beat specifications ↗Where these facts come from
- Honda newsroom · Beat launch release
- Honda press information · Beat full specifications
- Toyota Automobile Museum · Honda Beat PP1
Selected facts checked for this edition. Some source pages link to broader model families. Last reviewed September 30, 2026.