Tag Archives: S2000
5 Things To Know About The Upcoming Honda S2000 Revival
It makes sense for Honda to revive the S2000 because it has been pressuring itself to release a new sports car for the United States. Ever since the Japanese automaker decided to make a three-pronged lineup of sports cars, we have been waiting what it has in store for the US market.
Here are the five things we know about it based on a source:
1. Its Predecessors Came Out In 2015 And 2016
In 2015, we first saw the S660 microcoupe, which was the first sports car that Honda built for this lineup. It was powered by a mid-mounted turbocharged 660-cc inline-3. Last year, we saw the NSX supercar that came with a mid-mounted twin-turbo 3.5-liter V-6 aided by electric motors.
2. The S2000 Is For The US Market
The S660 was a Japanese-only car from Honda while the NSX was an Acura brand. The US, however, is Honda’s biggest market to date, which means it cannot shrug off this particular market. What it did is to recreate the S2000, which was loved by many.
3. It Was Introduced As A 50th Anniversary Special
The original S2000 was launched during the company’s 50th anniversary in 1998. Now that two decades have passed, it’s time to do it all over again. In commemoration of its 70th anniversary, Honda plans to unveil the S2000 replacement with an RC213V-S superbike.
4. It Will Have A New Powertrain And Chassis
The replacement to the S2000 should have had the engine fitted in the Civic Type R. But seeing as this will be a special 70th anniversary car that will arrive in 2018, Honda decided it would fit this one with a new powertrain and a new chassis.
5. It Will Be Lightweight And Fuel-Efficient
According to reports, the coming S2000 will have a two-stage electric boosting system, one that is similar to what has been developed by Mitsubishi. The system, tests showed, will make the new car compact, lightweight, and fuel efficient.
Is Honda Celebrating Its 70th Anniversary With A New S2000 Roadster?
Is it possible that Honda will be celebration with a new S2000 roadster just in time for its 70th anniversary in 2018? Rumors of the new roadster cannot die, even as we already confirmed the tiny S660 roadster will not be coming to US shores and the mid-engine sports car that sits below the Acura NSX is probably not happening anytime soon.
Honda first launched the S2000 in 1998 to celebrate its 50th anniversary, so it’s only fitting that they can also release a new roadster for their 70th year. It is even possible we will be seeing a new car and a commemorative two-wheeler to mark the occasion.
A source claimed the car can be compared to the Mazda MX-5 Miata in size, although Honda’s will be more powerful, performance-wise. The bike, on the other hand, will be a “detuned, roadgoing version of the RC213V-S.
However, skeptics note that Honda does not have a platform for a compact, rear-wheel-drive sports car. But, just look at what they did with the S660 mini-coupe and the all-new NSX supercar. Honda may not have a platform for such models, but they come out pretty unique, didn’t they?
An Acura executive revealed during the 2014 Detroit Auto Show that Honda is planning to fit in a smaller sports car under the NSX. He, however, pointed out that such a car won’t be appearing before 2017. So, is 2018 is just about right?
What we can assume is that the new S2000 roadster will have a slightly detuned version of the Civic Type R’s 2.0-liter turbo engine, which is made in the US. The car will be, too, apparently. And to keep costs down, Honda will build it along the NSX at its specialized Performance Manufacturing Center in Ohio.
Sources said a large team from the R&D staff in Japan are now in Ohio to work on the roadster.