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This Honda Today was a keicar introduced in September 1985 on a wheelbase of 233 cm as a 3-door sedan. Initially launched with three different model specifications, with the entry model being model 'F', followed by a model 'M' and the top of the range 'G'. It was powered by a 2-cylinder (water-cooled) OHC 545 cc engine, which was the same as used in the Acty truck. In a market where 3-cylinder engines were the norm, it was outdated and was replaced by a 3-cylinder 4-valve 547 cc by February, 1988. The rear axle was a torsion beam with coil springs. Together with the new regulations in March, 1990 the bumpers were enlarged to give the car a length of 329.5 cm, the engine was enlarged to 656 cc. By April, 1990 came a permanent four-wheel-drive version with an independent rear axle.
In January 1993, a redesigned Honda Today was announced. The car did not have a hatchback; in its place was a trunk lid that opened downwards like the 1991 Civic 3-door (the Today's rear window does not open). The interior is not symmetrical: the driver's seat is slightly larger than the front passenger seat. These features were decided on after research indicated that the car's target audience were mostly single young women who often drove alone, with little need for cargo space. Initially only available as a 2-door, in May 1993 a 4-door version was added, named the Today Associe.
The 1993 Today was available with two engines, a standard 657cc 3-cylinder fuel injection engine, and a high output version of the same engine with MTREC technology, borrowed from the Honda Beat. Both engines were available with either a 5-speed manual or a 3-speed automatic gearbox. All wheel drive (using realtime 4wd technology) was available.
For the Today's early-1996 facelift, Honda eliminated the pickup-style rear door, and replaced it with a proper hatchback door. This necessitated some redesign in the rear end, because the rear window had originally wrapped around to the sides.
In light of the Suzuki Wagon R's success, Honda also devised a minivan-esque keicar called the Honda Life. The first Honda Life launched in 1997. When the keicar regulations changed in October 1998, necessitating a redesign, the Life received a redesign, while the Today was axed for good.
The Today will also be remembered as Officer Miyuki Kobayakawa's famous tuned patrol car from the manga and anime series You're Under Arrest.
"Honda Today"