Honda has released the first photos of its new S660 Concept, just ahead of its world premiere at this year's Tokyo Motor Show in late November. The S660 looks like an evolved concept of the 2011 EV-STER and is believed to preview the small roadster mentioned by Honda CEO Takanobu Ito last year. Ito had said at the time that a small open-top sports car would go on sale in Japan in 2014.

While very few details were released by the Japanese carmaker, the S660 looks like a spiritual successor to the Pininfarina-designed 1991-1996 Beat kei-class roadster.

The pint-sized roadster's name suggests that, unlike the electric-powered EV-STER, the S660 is fitted with a 0.66-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine, possibly, but not certainly, positioned mid-ship, judging by the side and rear vents.

The two seater model will be joined in Tokyo by the world premiere of the production version of the Honda Fit / Jazz-based Urban SUV Concept, unveiled at the 2013 North American International Auto Show in January of this year, as well as the N-WGN, the fourth model of the N Series of mini-vehicles.

Also on display will be a number of motorcycle debuts such as the Dunk, a 50 cc scooter equipped with a newly-developed liquid-cooled engine and the CB1300 SUPER BOL D'OR that comes with LED headlights and a 6-speed transmission.

Talk of successors to Honda sports cars like the S2000 and CRX date back several years and has been encouraged by the occasional concept reveal by the Japanese automaker. However, in a speech last year addressing his company’s future plans, Honda CEO Takanobu Ito finally confirmed development of a new convertible sports car, which is to be launched on the Japanese market in late 2014.

Now, just a few weeks out from the 2013 Tokyo Motor Show, Honda has revealed a new concept that will be gracing its stands, previewing the upcoming sports car. The new concept is called the S660 and it's clearly been influenced by the styling of 2011’s EV-STER.

However, while the EV-STER featured an electric drivetrain, the S660 comes with a turbocharged three-cylinder engine displacing just 660 cubic centimeters. The tiny engine is mated to a CVT and drive is sent to the rear wheels. Peak output rates at just 64 horsepower. This may sound somewhat feeble, but the S660 is said to tip the scales at less than 2,000 pounds.

The interior also features a new type of design for Honda. Lightweight carbon fiber is used extensively and is joined by a number of digital displays.

If the eventual production version is offered in the U.S.--and that’s a big if, given Honda’s reluctance of late to launch any credible sports cars here--expect it to come with a more powerful engine and a retractable roof.

Also at the Tokyo Motor Show, press days for which commence November 20, Honda will show off its Acura NSX concept and a UNI-CUB personal mobility device. Follow our complete coverage of the event via our dedicated hub.

Honda isn't known for making convertibles. In fact, legend has it that old man Soichiro banned them from his lineup – but then he also didn't approve of six-cylinder engines, either. There have been exceptions, like the Civic del Sol and S2000, and today Honda has revealed another.

Set to debut at the forthcoming Tokyo Motor Show in late November is the Honda S660 concept, a compact little roadster about which Honda is saying even less. It looks about the size of a Kei car, with a nameplate that suggests a 660cc engine, making it more of a revival for the 1990's Beat than the high-end S2000. And while there are some clear similarities with the EV-STER concept that debuted two years ago in Tokyo, the S660 looks closer to production-ready, with key features like an actual steering wheel.

Of course, whether the S660 makes production, and beyond that makes it off of the Japanese islands and across the Pacific to US showrooms, is another matter, but we could see something like this taking the fight to the Mazda MX-5 and even the Scion FR-S and Subaru BRZ if it did.

Alongside the S660, Honda has also confirmed it will unveil the production version of the Fit-based crossover previewed in Detroit by the Urban SUV Concept. The NSX Concept will also make its Japanese debut at the show, along with a variety of motorcyles, mobility devices and a range of historic models from Honda's history, more of which you can read about in the press release below.

Press Release

Honda Announces Models to be Shown at 43rd Tokyo Motor Show 2013

Honda Motor Co., Ltd today announced its line-up of production and concept models, including automobiles, motorcycles, power products and other highlights, ahead of the 43rd Tokyo Motor Show 2013, which will take place at Tokyo Big Sight from 20th November 2013.

Highlights on the Honda stand will include the Honda S660 CONCEPT, an open-top sports-type mini-vehicle, the world premiere of the production model of the URBAN SUV CONCEPT and the Japan premiere of the NSX CONCEPT, the next-generation super sports model.

Honda will also exhibit the all-new UNI-CUB, a personal mobility device developed under the theme of "harmony with people"; the world premiere of the N-WGN, the fourth model of the N Series of mini-vehicles; and a number of mass-production models, including the highly acclaimed all-new Accord Plug-in Hybrid and the Fit equipped with Earth Dreams Technology.

In the motorcycle area several planned production models will be exhibited, including the DUNK, a new style 50 cc scooter made for the Japanese market, equipped with a newly-developed liquid-cooled engine.

Overview of further highlights on the Honda stand:

Automobiles:
Racing machine:
● RA271 - Honda's first F1 machine raced in the Formula One World Championship in 1964.

Other models:
●MC-β - A micro-sized short distance EV commuter which will be used in field tests jointly with local governments. The model will be exhibited at the SMART MOBILITY CITY 2013.
● Sports 360 -The first automobile Honda showed to the public in 1962. Based on this small sports model the S500- Honda's first sports car- S600 and S800 were then mass-produced. It can be said that this model is the starting point of Honda's automobile business. (replica model)

Motorcycles:
Planned production models:
● DUNK
● CB1300 Super BOL D'OR
● CB400 Super BOL D'OR
● CB400 Super Four
● CBR250R

Custom concept models:
● DUNK Custom Concept
● Cross Cub Custom Concept

Racing machines:
● RC142 -Honda's first machine raced in the Isle of Man TT Race in 1959, 125 cc. (replica model)
● RC213V -Raced in 2013 Road Racing World Championship MotoGP Class.
● CRF450 RALLY -Will be raced in 2014 Dakar Rally- Argentina, Bolivia, Chile.
● CBR250R Sports base model.(Dedicated racing model)

Others:
● Super Cub C100 -The first model of The Super Cub 50 produced in 1959.

Power Products
● F90 tiller -Honda's first full-fledged heavyweight tiller equipped with air-cooled diesel engine. This model was introduced to the market in 1966.
● Miimo robotic lawn mower- developed exclusively for European market.

Honda Robotics
● All-new UNI-CUB
● ASIMO

Honda is bringing the NSX to this year's Tokyo Motor Show, a hybrid all-wheel drive super sportscar. While that's exciting for American who like their big V6 engines, but average Japanese buyers also have something to look forward to.

The S660 kei sportscar is being previewed as a concept, a sexy one by the looks of it. The design is quite futuristic and elegant, similar to the EV-STER Concept of 2011.

There's nothing futuristic about what's going to power the S660. Kei car regulations force it to have a 660cc engine which only produces 64 hp, even though it's turbocharge.

Don't expect to see this think on European or American roads. It's strictly designed to take advantage of specific regulation in Japan.