Honda N-ONE Modulo X Debuts in Japan – Refresh Includes New Lowdown Model

By Steve & Tamami Laser

Honda’s N-Series minicars are so popular in Japan that more than 1 million have been sold. The N-ONE is the smallest member of the team with retro styling influenced by Honda’s original N360 (called N600 in the U.S.) of the late 1960s and early ’70s.

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To keep the N-ONE fresh, Honda has introduced a minor model change along with two new variants. The one that attracts our attention is called Modulo X. Following the theme of Honda’s top-selling N-BOX that also offers a Modulo X, this new edition gains a more sporty appearance inside and out.

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Changes include a unique aero front bumper, front grille and garnish, along with upgrades to the suspension, brakes, exhaust and alloy wheels.

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N-ONE Modulo X features a 660cc DOHC turbocharged engine offered in other N-Series models teamed with a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) with S mode “paddle shifters.”

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Following the rules for the Japanese “Kei Car” class, engines are limited to 660cc while passenger capacity is maxed out at four. We see sporty red accents running throughout the Modulo X cabin in the above photo.

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Kei cars are incredibly small by American standards. Exterior dimensions are limited to 11.2 feet (3.4 m) in overall length, 4.9 feet (1.48 m) wide and a more substantial 6.6 feet (2 m) high. Japanese automakers learned long ago that the way to maximize space inside the Kei car cabin is to raise the roof and use an upright seating position similar to a van.

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The second new N-ONE model dubbed “Lowdown” (above) receives a suspension lowered by 65 mm and a redesigned roof spoiler. The rest of the N-ONE lineup gains minor changes including new front bumpers and grilles, retractable mirrors on all but the base G model, revised interior fabrics and new color choices including British Green Pearl and Premium Pink Pearl, plus a total of 28 two-tone color combinations.

News source and photos courtesy of Honda Motor Co. Features and specifications are for models sold in Japan and are subject to change without notice.

Story (commentary) © 2015 CarNichiWa.com

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