Honda S2000

2007 Honda S2000

2006 Honda S2000

The Honda S2000 is a roadster that was manufactured by the Honda Motor Company to mark their 50th anniversary. The first true sports car from Honda in over four decades, the Honda S2000 did not disappoint with its 9000 rpm redline, perfect 50-50 weight balance and "X-bone" frame. The car was originally launched in 1999 as a 2000 model and continues in the tradition of the lightweight roadster "S" cars such as the S600 and S800.

With over 40 years of Honda racing technology packed into this little ragtop roadster, the Honda S2000 is at home both on the track and on the road. It is a sports car that is desired by both weekend warriors and tuners alike. They appreciate the car for its incredible stock performance as well as its thriving modification following.

Like previous "S" cars, the name of the S2000 comes from its engine displacement of approximately 2000cc (although Honda would later introduce a 2200cc model, still under the S2000 name). From its inception in 1999 to 2003, S2000s were manufactured in Honda's Tochigi plant. S2000s since then have been manufactured in the Suzuka plant.

Recent Changes

According to the U.K.'s WhatCar? Magazine, the second generation Honda S2000 won't go on sale until 2009. The existing S2000 will remain largely unchanged until that time, the report said. This means the S2000 will have been on the market ten years without any major changes, compared to a typical Japanese car product cycle of just five years.

Styles and Major Options

The Honda S2000 is available in one base trim:

BASE

The base model comes standard with:

• 237hp 4-Cylinder 8000rpm engine
• 6-Speed Manual Transmission
• Double Wishbone Suspension with Coil Springs
• 17" Alloy Wheels
• Bridgestone Potenza RE050 Tires
• Electrically Powered Soft Top
• High-Intensity Discharge Headlights (HID)
• Glass Rear Window with Defroster
• Power windows and doors
• Cruise Control
• Short-Throw Shifter
• Leather-Trimmed Seats
• Textured Aluminum Pedals

Pricing

Today's actual prices by city can be found at CarsDirect.

Trims

base

MSRP

$34,050

Invoice

$30,643

Gas Mileage

EPA Estimates for various trims of the Honda S2000 are as follows:

Trim

4 cyl., 2.2 L, Manual (6 speed), Premium gas

MPG

20/26

Reliability

Owners of the Honda S2000 can count on Honda’s reputation for building reliable cars. The general consensus is that the S2000 provides outstanding reliability and mechanical build. J.D. Power gave the S2000 5 out of 5 stars in both Overall Dependability and Mechanical Quality.

Safety

The Honda S2000 comes standard with Dual Front Airbags (SRS), Side-Impact Door Beams, Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) with Traction Control and Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS).

Photos

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  2006 Honda S2000

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  2007 Honda S2000

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  2007 black interior

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  2007 gauges

Colors

Exterior

The 2007 Honda S2000 comes in the following exterior colors:

• Berlina Black
• Grand Prix White
• Laguna Blue Pearl
• New Formula Red
• Rio Yellow Pearl
• Silverstone Metallic

Interior

The 2007 Honda S2000 comes in the following interior colors:

• Black
• Red/Black

Main Competitors

• Mazda Miata: side-by-side comparison
• Porsche Boxster: side-by-side comparison
• Mercedes-Benz SLK: side-by-side comparison
• BMW Z4: side-by-side comparison
• Nissan 350Z: side-by-side comparison

Hybrid Models

Currently, Honda has no plans to offer a hybrid version of the S2000. However, they will continue to offer the Honda Accord Hybrid, Honda Civic Hybrid and Honda Insight.

Unique Attributes

Engine start button

The Honda S2000 is different than conventional sports cars because it uses a gimmicky but fun racecar inspired feature. Instead of starting the engine using the turn of a key, the S2000 allows you to “start your engines” by using a red button located just to the left side of the steering wheel that brings the engine to life.

Resale Values

Thanks to its Honda reliability and desirability amongst driving enthusiasts, the S2000 holds its value well in the used car market. In fact, Edmunds.com rated the Honda S2000 #3 in their Top 10 Cars With the Best Residual Value for 2004 article.

Criticisms

• Lack of low-down punch in engine
• Unpredictable oversteer when driven at its limit
• Short gearing makes casual driving & cruising difficult
• Its stylings are feeling a bit dated (New Car Test Drive)

Generations

Honda created the S2000 to mark the company's 50th year. The rear wheel drive platform continued in the tradition of the car's predecessors, S600 and S800 in spite of the fact that most Honda vehicles manufactured today use front-wheel drive. Power is delivered via a Torsen limited slip differential mated to a six-speed manual transmission.

The S2000 is constructed using an X-bone monocoque frame that is extremely rigid, thus improving handling, road noise, and steering feel and feedback. Other features included double wishbone suspension, electronically-assisted steering, integrated roll hoops and an electric top that takes 6 seconds to operate, touted as the fastest opening top among all convertibles.

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The car was originally launched in 1999 as a 2000 model, and was sold through to 2003. It featured 16" wheels with Bridgestone Potenza S-02 tyres. The 2004 model introduced newly designed 17" wheels and Bridgestone RE-050 tyres along with a retuned suspension that reduced the car's tendency to oversteer. The spring rates and shock absorber damping were altered and the suspension geometry modified to improve stability, by causing toe-in under cornering loads. In addition, cosmetic changes were made to the exterior with new front and rear bumpers, revised headlight assemblies, new LED tail-lights, and oval-tipped exhausts. The 2.0 L engine was also revised. At the same time, Honda introduced a 2.2 L variant to the North American market with more torque and redline reduced to 8,200 rpm.

The 2006 model introduced a drive by wire throttle and a Vehicle Stability Assist system. Interior changes included revised seats, additional stereo speakers integrated into the headrests, and additional headrest padding where previous seats had helmet depressions and screens. The 2.2 L engine was also introduced to the Japanese market during this time.

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The first S2000s (2000 to 2003 models) came equipped with a 2.0 L (1997 cc) F20C I4 engine producing 240 hp (179 kW) at 8,300 rpm and 153 ft·lb (208 Nm) of torque at 7,500 rpm. Though the Japanese models were quoted with additional 10 hp due to a small difference in engine compression ratio, all engines were the same.

Because of its high-revving nature (9,000 rpm redline from 2000 to 2003 models and 8,200 rpm in 2004 onwards models), it is one of the few naturally-aspirated engines to produce over 100 hp/L. The compact and lightweight engine, mounted entirely behind the front axle, allowed the S2000 to obtain a good front/rear weight balance and low rotational inertia for improved handling.

Following criticism about a lack of low-down torque, Honda introduced a variant of the F20C engine to the North American market in 2004. The stroke of the motor was lengthened (increasing displacement to 2.2 L), resulting in the F22C1. As a result, the redline was reduced to 8,200 rpm (mandated by the longer travel distance of the pistons). Peak torque was increased by 6% and the F22C1 was quoted by Honda as having more torque at lower rpm than the F20C, although officially the power output remains the same between the two engines. Initially, the F22C1 was intended only for the North American market, but it was also introduced to Japan in 2006.

In addition to the displacement change, for the F22C1, Honda changed the transmission gear ratios, by shortening the first four gears and lengthening the last two. Another change was the inclusion of a clutch release delay valve, to improve drivetrain longevity by reducing shock loads.

Worldwide

First generation Honda S2000 Japanese models were quoted with additional 10 hp due to a small difference in engine compression ratio.

Design quirks and oddities

Refer to any pop-culture tidbits about the vehicle in this section.

Awards

• The S2000 was on Car and Driver's Ten Best list for 2000 through 2002 and 2004.
• The S2000 was the highest-ranked model in the J.D. Power and Associates 2004 Vehicle Dependability Study's "Premium Sports Car" class, and consistently holds one of the top three positions.
• The F20C engine won the International Engine of the Year award in the "1.8 to 2 liter" size category for five years from 2000 through 2004.

See also

• Honda

External Links

• Honda S2000 - Official US Site
• S2K International - international S2000 Community
• S2000.com - S2000 forum
• S2KCA - S2000 owners club in the US
• S2KUK - S2000 enthusiast club in the UK

This page uses content from Wikipedia; see Honda S2000, which includes these contributors.