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Honda Life II 0.7 (50 Hp)
Overall Rating
Honda Life:
The Honda Life is an automobile nameplate that was used on various kei car/city cars produced by Honda: passenger cars, microvans, and kei trucks. The first series of the nameplate was built between 1971 and 1974, with the nameplate revived in 1997 and used until 2014. The Japanese-market Life has rarely been marketed outside Japan.
In 2020, Dongfeng Honda revived the "Life" nameplate in China as a rebadged variant of the Fit produced by Guangqi Honda.
The original Life range was offered as a two-door or four-door sedan and in a three-door wagon model , replacing the Honda NIII360. Compared with the previous Honda minicar series, passenger comfort was improved to make this a better family car - indeed, Honda's target was to make a kei which was as habitable as a period 1-litre car. The wheelbase, at 2,080 mm , was eight cm longer than that of the predecessor. The entire Life range had a water-cooled Honda EA 356 cc engine, usually producing 30 PS at 8,000 rpm. which began as the air-cooled engine borrowed from the Honda CB450 motorcycle. The top speed of the sedan is 105 km/h. The sprint to 100 km/h came up in 34. 9 seconds in a period test. In September 1972, the tall and curiously shaped "Life Step Van" was introduced, with either three or five doors. A pickup version of this was later added to the lineup, but had minimal impact on the market....(Read more on Wikipedia)
II Overview:
Honda Life (II). With 61 Nm of torque, it offers ample pulling power. It has moderate fuel consumption (~7 l/100km). Weighing only 790 kg, it’s quite light. Front‑wheel drive delivers efficiency and easy handling. The top speed reaches 130 km/h. A spacious vehicle designed to transport passengers comfortably, often with sliding doors. Seating for 4 makes it ideal for daily use.
The 1997 Honda Life II, being a Kei car from its era, was not subjected to Euro NCAP testing. Safety standards of the late 90s for such compact vehicles were significantly less stringent than modern requirements, focusing more on basic structural integrity and airbags (if fitted).
0.7 (50 Hp) Verdict:
Performance Verdict
The 50 Hp 0.7L engine provides adequate power for city driving and navigating tight urban spaces. Its high-revving nature is typical for Kei cars, but highway performance is limited, struggling at higher speeds or with full loads.
Fuel Economy
Excellent fuel economy, especially in extra-urban conditions (4 l/100 km), making it very economical for daily commuting. Urban consumption of 7 l/100 km is also respectable for its class.
Pros and Cons:
Pros:
- • Exceptional fuel economy for urban use.
- • Highly maneuverable and easy to park in congested areas.
- • Surprisingly spacious interior for a Kei car.
- • Reliable Honda engineering.
- • Low running costs.
Cons:
- • Limited highway performance and acceleration.
- • Basic safety features compared to modern vehicles.
- • Small engine can be noisy at higher RPMs.
- • Minimal creature comforts.
- • Limited availability outside Japan.
Specifications:
| General: | |
|---|---|
| Brand: | Honda |
| Model: | Life |
| Generation: | II |
| Modification (Engine): | 0.7 (50 Hp) |
| Start of production: | 1997 |
| End of production: | 1998 |
| Powertrain Architecture: | Internal Combustion engine |
| Body type: | Minivan |
| Seats: | 4 |
| Doors: | 5 |
| Engine: | |
|---|---|
| Power: | 50 Hp @ 7000 rpm. |
| Power per litre: | 76.1 Hp/l |
| Torque: | 61 Nm @ 4500 rpm. |
| Engine displacement: | 657 |
| Number of cylinders: | 3 |
| Engine configuration: | Inline |
| Number of valves per cylinder: | 4 |
| Fuel injection system: | Multi-port manifold injection |
| Engine aspiration: | Naturally aspirated engine |
| Valvetrain: | OHC |
| Engine layout: | Front, Transverse |
| Cylinder Bore: | 66 mm mm |
| Piston Stroke: | 64 mm mm |
| Compression ratio: | 10.5:1 |
| Performance: | |
|---|---|
| Fuel Type: | Petrol (Gasoline) |
| Fuel consumption (economy) - urban: | 7 l/100 km |
| Fuel consumption (economy) - extra urban: | 4 l/100 km |
| Maximum speed: | 130 km/h |
| Weight-to-power ratio: | 15.8 kg/Hp, 63.3 Hp/tonne |
| Weight-to-torque ratio: | 13 kg/Nm, 77.2 Nm/tonne |
| Space: | |
|---|---|
| Kerb Weight: | 790 |
| Fuel tank capacity: | 31 l |
| Size: | |
|---|---|
| Length: | 3395 mm mm |
| Width: | 1475 mm mm |
| Height: | 1610 mm mm |
| Wheelbase: | 2360 mm mm |
| Front track: | 1305 mm |
| Rear (Back) track: | 1295 mm |
| Minimum turning circle (turning diameter): | 9 m |
| Powertrain: | |
|---|---|
| Drivetrain Architecture | The Internal combustion engine (ICE) drives the front wheels of the vehicle. |
| Drive wheel | Front wheel drive |
| Number of gears | 5 |
| Transmission type | Manual |
| Front brakes | Disc |
| Rear brakes | Drum |
| Assisting systems | ABS (Anti-lock braking system) |
| Steering type | Steering rack and pinion |
| Power steering | Hydraulic Steering |
| Tires size | 155/70 R12 |
| Front suspension | Spring Strut |
| Rear suspension | Coil spring |
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