Honda S2000

The Honda S2000 is a roadster manufactured by the Japanese automaker Honda Motor Company. Launched in April 1999, the car was created to celebrate the company's 50th anniversary and continues in the tradition of the company's previous lightweight roadster "S" cars, the S500, S600 and S800.

Design and construction

Continuing in the tradition of its predecessors, the S2000 features a front-engine, rear wheel drive layout with power being delivered via a Torsen limited slip differential mated to a six-speed manual transmission.

The car is constructed using an X-bone monocoque frame which is extremely rigid, improving passenger safety and handling. Other features include independent double wishbone suspension, electrically-assisted steering and integrated roll hoops.

The S2000 comes with an electrically powered vinyl top which takes 6 seconds to operate, touted as the fastest opening top among all convertibles,^[1] although an OEM hardtop is also available.

Models

The car was originally launched in 1999 as a 2000 model, given the chassis designation AP1. The 2000 model featured 16" wheels with Bridgestone Potenza S-02 tires.

For the 2002 model year, suspension settings were revised and a smaller glass rear windscreen introduced. Other updates included slightly revised taillamps, an upgraded stereo, and a revised engine control unit (ECU).

From its inception in 1999 to 2003, S2000s were manufactured at Honda's Tochigi Takanezawa plant, alongside the Honda NSX supercar and Honda Insight hybrid.^[2] In 2004 production moved to the Suzuka plant.

The 2004 model introduced newly designed 17" wheels and Bridgestone RE-050 tires 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 reducing toe-in changes 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. At the same time, Honda introduced a 2.2 L variant to the North American market. The revised car was given the chassis designation AP2.

The 2006 model introduced a drive by wire throttle, Vehicle Stability Assist system, new wheels, and one new exterior color, Laguna Blue Pearl. 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.

In 2007 two exterior colors (Suzuka Blue and Sebring Silver) were dropped, while the Grand Prix White color was re-introduced with a black/red/gray interior.

The 2008 model year will mark the first time the S2000 will be offered in more than one trim level.^[3] In addition to the base model, Honda will offer a new "club racer" version of the S2000, distinguished by reduced weight, fewer amenities, and a claimed increase in performance. The S2000 CR made its world debut at the 2007 New York International Auto Show on 4 April, 2007.^[4] Changes for the CR include a quicker (lower-ratio) steering rack, stiffer suspension, and newly designed wheels (wider in the rear) equipped with Bridgestone Potenza RE070 tires. A revised body kit, comprised of a redesigned front clip, rear bumper and spoiler, have been wind-tunnel tested and are claimed to produce positive downforce at speed. The folding soft top is replaced with an aluminum hard top to appease race tracks with strict rules on covertibles, while the area where the top used to fit is filled with bracing to increase the S2000's chassis rigidity. Finally, in an effort to reduce weight and lower the center or gravity, the spare tire is deleted, and air conditioning and a stereo are offered only as options. The S2000 CR will be available in the fall of 2007.

Powertrain

The S2000 (2000 to 2003 models) initially all came equipped with a 2.0 L (1997 cc) F20C inline 4 cylinder DOHC-VTEC engine producing 243 PS (179 kW, 240 hp) at 8,300 rpm and 153 ft·lbf (208 Nm) of torque at 7,500 rpm, though European versions were rated slightly lower at 240 PS (177 kW, 237 hp) and the Japanese models were quoted with 250 PS (184 kW, 247 hp) at 8,600 rpm due to a small difference in engine compression ratio.^{[citation needed]}

Honda introduced a variant of the F20C engine to the North American market in 2004. Designated F22C1, the stroke of the motor was lengthened, increasing the displacement to 2.2 L. As a result, the redline was reduced to 8,000 rpm with a cut-out at 8,200 rpm,^[5] mandated by the longer travel distance of the pistons. Peak torque was increased by 6% to 162 ft·lbf at 6,200 rpm, and the F22C1 was quoted by Honda as having more torque at lower rpm than the F20C, although the power output was still officially the same. Initially, the F22C1 was intended only for the North American market, but it was also introduced to Japan in 2006 with specified power of 242 PS (178 kW, 239 hp). Other markets continued with the 2.0 L version.

Because of its high-revving nature for a car engine (9,000 rpm rev limit for the 2.0 L and 8,200 rpm for the 2.2 L engines), it achieves the highest specific power per unit volume of any mass-produced naturally-aspirated automobile piston engine, producing over 123 hp/L in the Japanese F20C.^[1] The compact and lightweight engine, mounted entirely behind the front axle, allowed the S2000 to obtain a 50:50 front/rear weight distribution and lower rotational inertia than would have been possible if the engine had not been so-mounted.

At the same time as introducing the F22C1, Honda also 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 drive-train longevity by reducing shock loads.

Fuel economy

United States versions of Honda S2000 require Premium Unleaded gasoline to operate (91 AKI octane rating, roughly corresponding to 95 RON or "european" octane number).

The official fuel economy figures for the Honda S2000 produced by the United States EPA are as follows:

• Original ratings (city/combined/highway): 20/22/26 MPG (miles per US gallon)
• Revised ratings: 18/20/24 MPG

The European and Japanese versions are also tuned to run on a minimum of 95 octane Unleaded, but 98 is recommended. Fuel economy figures published by Honda UK are 20.6/28.2/35.3 miles per Imperial Gallon (urban/combined/suburban). Note that the Imperial gallon is approximately 20% larger than the US gallon.

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 Vehicle Dependability Study "Premium Sports Car" class for 2004 and 2006,^[6][7] and has consistently held one of the top three positions.
• The F20C engine won the International Engine of the Year award in the "1.8 to 2 litre" size category for five years from 2000 through 2004.
• The F20C was featured on Ward's 10 Best Engines list for 2000 and 2001.
• The S2000 ranked number #1 in a BBC Top Gear survey in 2004, 2005, and 2006.

Reviews

The S2000 has received much praise from critics and motoring journalists and has received favourable reviews from publications like Car and Driver,^[8] Car magazine,^[9] the Los Angeles Times and Road & Track magazine. Among the features highlighted include the high output of the engine, the unusually high redline, the balanced handling, and the smooth gearbox.

Sales

The largest market for S2000 worldwide is North America. In addition, considerable numbers are sold in Europe ( primarily in UK ) and in Japan.

In 2006, 6,271 new Honda S2000's were sold in United States. This can be compared with 4,850 units of Porsche Boxster (excluding Cayman), 11,520 units of BMW Z4 roadster, and 16,897 units of Mazda MX-5 sold in the same period of time.

The table below shows units sold by Honda annually in various countries through 2006.

Successor

Winding Road reported that Honda is working on a possible successor to the S2000.^[18] If approved, the car would have four seats and would be moved upmarket to compete with the SLK-Class and Z4. If produced, the successor would not come to the market any time before the 2009 model year and that it may be branded under the Acura badge for the North American market.^[19]

Another Japanese automotive publisher, Best Car magazine, claims Honda has also been considering various ideas ranging from a 4-door sports cars to a front-wheel drive sport compact. Instead of moving upscale to compete with the SLK and Z4, though, it would downscale to compete directly with the Mazda Miata and be powered by a 2.0 L engine producing around 200 hp.^[20]

Honda has not officially commented on the future of the S2000 after the 2008 model year.

References

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