The Honda S2000 is a
front-mid engine open top sports car
A sports car is a type of automobile that is designed with an emphasis on dynamic performance, such as Automobile handling, handling, acceleration, top speed, the thrill of driving, and Auto racing, racing capability. Sports cars originated in ...
that was manufactured by Japanese automobile manufacturer
Honda
commonly known as just Honda, is a Japanese multinational corporation, multinational Conglomerate (company), conglomerate automotive manufacturer headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, Japan.
Founded in October 1946 by Soichiro Honda, Honda has bee ...
, from 1999 until 2009. First shown as a concept car called the SSM at the
Tokyo Motor Show
The , called (TMS) until 2023, is a biennial auto show held in October–November at the Tokyo Big Sight, Tokyo, Japan for cars, motorcycles and commercial vehicles. Hosted by the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA), it is a recog ...
in 1995, the production version was launched on April 15, 1999, to celebrate the company's 50th anniversary. The S2000 is named for its engine displacement of two litres, while "S" stood for "sports" carrying on in the tradition of the
S500,
S600, and
S800 roadsters of the 1960s.

Several revisions were made throughout the car's production life, including changes to the engine, gearbox, suspension, interior and exterior. Officially two variants exist: the initial launch model was given the chassis code AP1; though cosmetically similar, the facelifted version, known as the AP2 in North America and Japan, incorporated significant changes to the drivetrain and suspension. Production of the S2000 ceased on August 19, 2009.
The Honda S2000 was notable for its exceptional specific power output of about per litre, or about two horsepower per cubic inch, the highest of any mass production,
naturally aspirated engine
A naturally aspirated engine, also known as a normally aspirated engine, and abbreviated to N/A or NA, is an internal combustion engine in which air intake depends solely on atmospheric pressure and does not have forced induction through a turboc ...
d car, until 2010.
The S2000 has seen a significant appreciation in price for valued examples in good condition. The most sought-after models are special edition models such as the CR (Club Racer) in the USA market.
Concept car
Introduced at the
1995 Tokyo Motor Show,
the Honda Sport Study Model
concept car
A concept car (also known as a concept vehicle or show vehicle) is a car made to showcase new styling or new technology. Concept cars are often exhibited at motor shows to gauge customer reaction to new and radical designs which may or may not ...
was the design study for the production version of the S2000. The inspirations for the concept car were the first prototype Honda
Formula One
Formula One (F1) is the highest class of worldwide racing for open-wheel single-seater formula Auto racing, racing cars sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). The FIA Formula One World Championship has been one ...
racing car, the
Honda RA270
commonly known as just Honda, is a Japanese multinational conglomerate automotive manufacturer headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, Japan.
Founded in October 1946 by Soichiro Honda, Honda has been the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer sin ...
from 1963
and the
Caterham Seven
The Caterham 7 (or Caterham Seven) is a super-lightweight sports car produced by Caterham Cars in the United Kingdom. It is based on the Lotus Seven, a lightweight sports car sold in kit and factory-built form by Lotus Cars, from 1957 to 1972.
...
.
The SSM was a
front-mid engine rear-wheel-drive
Rear-wheel drive (RWD) is a form of engine and transmission layout used in motor vehicles, in which the engine drives the rear wheels only. Until the late 20th century, rear-wheel drive was the most common configuration for cars.
Most rear-whee ...
roadster powered by a
inline four-cylinder engine. It featured a rigid 'high X-bone frame' which Honda claimed improved the vehicle's rigidity and collision safety. The concept car was constructed with aluminum body panels and featured a 50:50 weight distribution.
The SSM was designed by Honda's own staff, should not be confused with the Argento Vivo roadster concept designed by Pininfarina, introduced same year and powered by a Honda in-line four cylinder engine as well.
The SSM appeared in many automotive shows for several years afterwards, hinting at the possibility of a production version, which Honda announced in 1999.
Development
The whole development process was carried out by Honda designers and engineers. The development team was sticking curiously to the classic Honda values, instead of marketing requirements, as former Chief Engineer
Shigeru Uehara
is a Japanese automotive engineer. He was the project leader of the Honda NSX.
Career
Shigeru Uehara began his career at Honda
commonly known as just Honda, is a Japanese multinational corporation, multinational Conglomerate (company), c ...
revealed in an interview:
''"You will be surprised to know that we had very little input from the marketing people. This was a deliberate move, as we wanted to create something to please us as an engineering team, rather than try and please everyone. If you listen to everyone, included everything they ask for, all cars end up the same. We wanted a vehicle that was more focused - more Honda."''
The development team focused on keeping the compact size and low weight of the concept car according to Uehara:
''"The reaction garnered by the SSM meant we had to keep the S2000 as close as possible to the concept car. Using a Civic CRX Del Sol-based mule, it was obvious the packaging was going to be tight, but the early prototype was tried against rival models at Suzuka, and it looked so right, we felt obliged to continue down the same development path."''
The car was tested primarily on race tracks and mountain roads of Japan and Europe, reflecting well the purpose of the roadster:
''"As the project evolved, to make sure we were on the right track, we did a lot of real world testing - first in Hokkaido, and then all over Europe, taking in an average of 450 miles (720 km) a day at high speed. We wanted a car that delivered just the right amount of tension for the driver, with direct and linear response, sharp handling and the necessary power and torque for fast progress and safe overtaking, but nothing too excessive. The final fine-tuning was done on the track to ensure the handling was right without being that sharp that the car became unruly, whatever the weather, followed by more road testing, including a fair bit around the Hakone area. Ultimately, overall driving feel and sound were considered more important than outright speed."''
AP1 (1999–2003)
The S2000 was introduced in 1999 for the 2000
model year
The model year (sometimes abbreviated as MY) is a method of describing the version of a product which has been produced over multiple years. The model year may or may not be the same as the calendar year in which the product was manufactured.
...
and was given the chassis designation of "AP1". It features a
front-mid engine rear-wheel-drive layout with power delivered by a
inline four-cylinder DOHC
An overhead camshaft (OHC) engine is a piston engine in which the camshaft is located in the cylinder head above the combustion chamber. This contrasts with earlier overhead valve engines (OHV), where the camshaft is located below the combus ...
VTEC
VTEC (described as ''Variable Valve Timing & Lift Electronic Control'', but stands for ''Valve Timing Electronically Controlled'') is a system developed by Honda to improve the volumetric efficiency of a four-stroke internal combustion engine, r ...
engine. The engine (codenamed
F20C) generates power outputs of , and of torque depending on the target market.
The engine is mated to a six-speed
manual transmission
A manual transmission (MT), also known as manual gearbox, standard transmission (in Canadian English, Canada, British English, the United Kingdom and American English, the United States), or stick shift (in the United States), is a multi-speed ...
and
Torsen
Torsen Torque-Sensing (full name Torsen traction) is a type of limited-slip differential used in automobiles.
It was invented by American Vernon Gleasman and manufactured by the Gleason Corporation. Torsen is a portmanteau of Torque-Sensing. '' ...
limited-slip differential
A limited-slip differential (LSD) is a type of differential gear train that allows its two output shafts to rotate at different speeds but limits the maximum difference between the two shafts. Limited-slip differentials are often known by the ...
. The S2000 achieved what Honda claimed as the highest specific output of a normally aspirated production automobile engine in the world. The most powerful version; the JDM F20C was rated at or per litre as a result of a higher 11.7:1 compression ratio.

Notable features include independent
double wishbone suspension
A double wishbone suspension is an independent suspension design for automobiles using two (occasionally parallel) wishbone-shaped arms to locate the wheel. Each wishbone or arm has two mounting points to the chassis and one joint at the knuckl ...
,
electrically assisted steering and integrated
roll hoops. The car had wheels with
Bridgestone
is a Japanese multinational manufacturing company founded in 1931 by Shojiro Ishibashi (18891976) in the city of Kurume, Fukuoka Prefecture, Fukuoka, Japan. The name Bridgestone comes from a calque translation and transposition of (), meaning ...
Potenza S-02 tyres equipped. The compact and lightweight engine, mounted entirely behind the front axle, allow the S2000 to achieve a 50:50 front/rear weight distribution and lower
rotational inertia
The moment of inertia, otherwise known as the mass moment of inertia, angular/rotational mass, second moment of mass, or most accurately, rotational inertia, of a rigid body is defined relatively to a rotational axis. It is the ratio between ...
. The dashboard got similar design to late eighties-early nineties McLaren-Honda Formula-1 racing cars (MP4/5, MP4/6 and MP4/7), as a reference to the racing pedigree of high rev line and output Honda engines. An electrically powered
vinyl
Vinyl may refer to:
Chemistry
* Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a particular vinyl polymer
* Vinyl cation, a type of carbocation
* Vinyl group, a broad class of organic molecules in chemistry
* Vinyl polymer, a group of polymers derived from vinyl ...
top with internal cloth lining and plastic rear window was standard, with an aluminum
hardtop
A hardtop is a rigid form of automobile roof, typically metal, and integral to the vehicle's design, strength, and style. The term typically applies to a pillarless hardtop, a car body style without a B-pillar. The term "pillared hardtop" was ...
available as an optional extra (in 2001). Honda initially offered the S2000 in Berlina Black, New Formula Red, Grand Prix White, and Silverstone Metallic exterior colours in the US domestic market. On some other markets Monte Carlo Blue Pearl and Spa Yellow Pearl / Indy Yellow Pearl were also available from the beginning.
The 2001 model was largely unchanged; Honda added a digital clock to the radio display and made the rear wind blocker standard. Honda also added Spa Yellow exterior colour to the US domestic market lineup. For the 2002 model year, suspension settings were revised and the plastic rear window was replaced by a glass unit incorporating an electric defroster. Other updates included slightly revised tail lamps with chrome rings, an upgraded radio with separate tweeters, a leather-wrapped gearshift knob, leatherette console cover and a revised
engine control unit
An engine control unit (ECU), also called an engine control module (ECM), is a device that controls various subsystems of an internal combustion engine. Systems commonly controlled by an ECU include the fuel injection and ignition systems.
The ...
. Honda added Suzuka Blue Metallic and Sebring Silver Metallic exterior colours to the US domestic market lineup.
The AP1 was manufactured until 2003 at Honda's
Takanezawa plant, alongside the
NSX and
Insight
Insight is the understanding of a specific causality, cause and effect within a particular context. The term insight can have several related meanings:
*a piece of information
*the act or result of understanding the inner nature of things or of se ...
hybrid.
Type V (Japan - 2000)
Honda announced the S2000 Type V on July 7, 2000, in the Japanese domestic market. Notable changes from the standard model include variable gear ratio steering (VGS), a steering system that continuously changes steering ratio based upon vehicle speed and steering angle to provide improved handling as well as more comfortable maneuvering in tight low-speed situations such as parking. It was the first system of its kind to be incorporated into a production car. The lock-to-lock steering ratio was reduced to 1.4 turns (versus 2.4 for the base model). Honda outfitted Type V cars with revised damper units, stabilizers and limited-slip differentials to "complement the VGS". Equipped cars came with a special steering wheel and a VGS badge on the rear. The Type V was retired upon the introduction of the Type S in 2007.
20th Anniversary Prototype (Japan - 2019)
To mark the 20th anniversary of the S2000, Honda unveiled the S2000 20th Anniversary Prototype at the 2019
Tokyo Auto Salon
The is an annual auto show held in January at the Makuhari Messe, Chiba City, Japan for Performance and custom aftermarket parts and technology displays. Hosted by the Nippon Auto Parts Aftermarket Committee (NAPAC), the Tokyo Auto Salon is one ...
. Essentially a
restomod
Conservation and restoration of road vehicles is the process of restoring a vehicle back to its original working condition. Vehicles, whether partially scrapped or completely totaled, are typically restored to maintain their roadworthiness or to ...
, the prototype was based on the AP1 and featured an updated exterior, suspension and audio system. Honda later made parts for the prototype available for purchase, including the Modulo X front bumper, sport suspension system and rear diffuser, alongside other S2000 parts as an effort to help owners keep their cars on the road.
AP2 (2003–2009)
The 2004 model S2000 underwent several significant changes. Production moved to
Suzuka. The new model introduced wheels and Bridgestone RE-050 tyres along with a retuned suspension to reduce
oversteer
Understeer and oversteer are vehicle dynamics terms used to describe the sensitivity of the vehicle to changes in steering angle associated with changes in lateral acceleration. This sensitivity is defined for a level road for a given steady state ...
. The spring rates and
shock absorber
A shock absorber or damper is a mechanical or hydraulics, hydraulic device designed to absorb and Damping ratio, damp shock (mechanics), shock impulses. It does this by converting the kinetic energy of the shock into another form of energy (typic ...
damping were altered and the suspension geometry was modified to improve stability by reducing
toe-in
In automotive engineering, toe, also known as tracking, is the symmetric angle that each wheel makes with the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, as a function of static geometry, and kinematic and compliant effects. This can be contrasted with ...
changes under cornering loads. The subframe also received a revision in design to achieve high rigidity. In the gearbox the brass
synchronizers were replaced with carbon fibre. In addition, cosmetic changes were made to the exterior with new front and rear bumpers, revised headlight assemblies, new
LED
A light-emitting diode (LED) is a semiconductor device that emits light when current flows through it. Electrons in the semiconductor recombine with electron holes, releasing energy in the form of photons. The color of the light (corresp ...
tail-lights, and oval-tipped exhaust pipes. Although all the cosmetic, suspension and most drivetrain upgrades were included on the Japanese, Australian and European models, they retained the 2.0-litre F20C engines and remained designated as AP1 (facelift) models.

For the North American market, the updates also included the introduction of a larger version of the F20C (with a designation of
F22C1); this larger engine gave the new model a chassis designation of AP2. The engine's stroke was lengthened, increasing its displacement to . At the same time, the
redline
The redline is the maximum engine speed at which an internal combustion engine or traction motor and its components are designed to operate without causing damage to the components themselves or other parts of the engine. The redline of an eng ...
and fuel cutoff were reduced from 8,800 rpm and 9,000 rpm to 8,000 rpm and 8,200 rpm respectively, mandated by the longer travel of the pistons. Peak torque increased by 6% to at 6,800 rpm while power output remained unchanged at achieved at a lower 7,800 rpm. In conjunction with the introduction of the F22C1, Honda also changed the transmission
gear ratio
A gear train or gear set is a machine element of a mechanical system formed by mounting two or more gears on a frame such that the teeth of the gears engage.
Gear teeth are designed to ensure the Pitch circle diameter (gears), pitch circles of e ...
s by shortening the first five gears and lengthening the sixth.
In 2006, the F22C1 was also introduced to the Japanese market, with a power output of and . The F20C continued in all other markets. The 2006 model introduced a
drive by wire
Drive by wire or DbW in the automotive industry is the technology that uses electronics or electro-mechanical systems in place of mechanical linkages to control driving functions. The concept is similar to fly-by-wire in the aviation industry. D ...
throttle, an
electronic stability control
Electronic stability control (ESC), also referred to as electronic stability program (ESP) or dynamic stability control (DSC), is a computerized technology that improves a car handling, vehicle's stability by detecting and reducing loss of Tract ...
system, new wheels, and one new exterior color, Laguna Blue Pearl. Interior changes included revised seats and additional stereo speakers integrated into the headrests.
Club Racer (U.S. - 2008)
The 2008 model year marked the first time the S2000 was offered in more than one
trim level in the United States.
In addition to the base model, Honda offered a more track-oriented version of the S2000, distinguished by reduced weight, fewer amenities, and an increase in performance. The S2000 Club Racer made its world debut at the
New York International Auto Show
The New York International Auto Show is an annual auto show that is held in Manhattan, New York City in late March or early April. It is held at the Jacob Javits Convention Center. It usually opens on or just before Easter weekend and closes ...
on 4 April 2007.
Changes for the CR included a lower ratio steering rack, revised exhaust system, black lug nuts, darker colored wheels, clear side markers, stiffer suspension and new
Bridgestone
is a Japanese multinational manufacturing company founded in 1931 by Shojiro Ishibashi (18891976) in the city of Kurume, Fukuoka Prefecture, Fukuoka, Japan. The name Bridgestone comes from a calque translation and transposition of (), meaning ...
Potenza RE070 tyres that were 10mm wider at the rear (
255/40R-17 vice the base model's 245/40R-17). A revised body kit, composed of a redesigned front lip, and a large
spoiler
Spoiler or Spoilers may refer to:
Arts, entertainment and media
* Spoiler (media), something that reveals significant plot elements
* The Spoiler, DC Comics superheroine Stephanie Brown
Film and television
* ''Spoiler'' (film), 1998 American ...
, were wind-tunnel tested and claimed to reduce the overall coefficient of lift by 70–80%. The power folding soft top was removed and replaced with a Berlina Black hard top (regardless of the car's body paint colour), while the space into which the soft top would normally fold when lowered was filled with additional chassis bracing and topped off with a body-color
tonneau
A tonneau ( or ) is an area of a car, truck, or boat open at the top. It can be for passengers or cargo. When applied to trucks it refers to their ''bed'' (American English) or ''tray'' (British English).
Origin of term
A tonneau was orig ...
cover. Honda also used a CR-unique yellow-lettered spherical aluminum shift knob which rests 12.6 mm lower than the base model's cylindrical shift knob (aluminum/leather wrapped). The CR knob provided a 6 percent reduction in shift stroke, and correspondingly presented a 10 percent higher shift load effort.
CR models were only available with yellow and black Alcantara interiors. Faux carbon fiber overlays on the center console and radio door were unique to the CR trim, as was a peak power indicator light on the instrument gauge cluster, which flashes when the engine is producing its peak power output. To reduce weight and lower the
center of gravity
In physics, the center of mass of a distribution of mass in space (sometimes referred to as the barycenter or balance point) is the unique point at any given time where the weighted relative position of the distributed mass sums to zero. For ...
, the spare tire was omitted and air conditioning and stereo were offered only as options. Net weight savings without the additional hardtop came to relative to the standard model. The engine in the S2000 CR was unchanged from the standard trim.
Shigeru Uehara
is a Japanese automotive engineer. He was the project leader of the Honda NSX.
Career
Shigeru Uehara began his career at Honda
commonly known as just Honda, is a Japanese multinational corporation, multinational Conglomerate (company), c ...
, the designer of the S2000, stated that the CR was positioned between the Type S and a hypothetical Type R. However, Honda never made an official Type R S2000 variant.
Production volume of fewer than 2,000 units was expected at launch, and 668 were made for the 2008 model year, representing just over a quarter of the total U.S. production. Honda continued to offer both the standard and CR versions unchanged for the 2009 model year, but with flagging sales caused by the
2008 automotive industry crisis, the S2000 was cancelled mid-model-year.
Just 355 U.S. S2000s were manufactured for 2009, of which 31 were CR models. Thus, total CR production over the two model years was 699 units.
Type S (Japan - 2008)
The Japanese domestic market received the Type S edition for the last two years of production (2008–2009). Changes are similar to the U.S. market's CR edition, sharing the weight loss, a purpose built bodykit providing much higher downforce, bespoke wheels and interior. Although it shares the wheels with the CR edition, the Type S retains the rear tyre size of 245/40R-17 for better handling. A specific Type S suspension setup with improved geometry was designed to enhance the handling, the setup is stiffer but more compromising than the CR setup to suit it better to everyday spirited driving and the Japanese ''touge'' experience. The Type S retains its soft top folding mechanism.
The interior is a Type S specific yellow and black Alcantara material scheme (similar to the CR). Leather interior from the standard S2000 was available as a no cost option. The aluminum shift knob with reduced shift stroke is shared with the CR. While the CR is designed to be a pure track car, the Type S is designed for improved handling and retains some creature comforts. Only 1,755 units of the Type S were made and sold exclusively in Japan. (2007:168 units, 2008:827 units, 2009:737 units, 2010
an-Jun23 units)
GT (U.K. - 2002)
In the United Kingdom, from 2002, the S2000 was offered in both roadster and GT trim. The GT featured a removable hard-top and an outside temperature gauge. On-the-road prices of these trims were £27,300 and £27,850 respectively.
Ultimate Edition and GT Edition 100 (Europe - 2009)
The S2000 Ultimate Edition (continental Europe) and GT Edition 100 (UK market) were limited versions of the S2000 released to commemorate the end of production. Notable changes on both of the cars included Grand Prix White body colour, a removable hard top, graphite-colored alloy wheels with black wheel bolts, aluminium ball gear lever, black S2000 badging and red leather interior with red coloring for stitching on the gear lever gaiter.
The Ultimate Edition was unveiled at the
2009 Geneva Motor Show and went on sale in March 2009. The GT Edition 100 was a limited run of 100 units made specifically for the UK market. In addition to the Ultimate Edition's specification, it features a numbered plaque on the kick-plate indicating which vehicle in the series it is (numbers ranging from 1 to 101. Number 49 was omitted).
Specifications
Notes:
*US: United States
*CA: Canada
*EU: Europe
*JP: Japan
*F: front
*R: rear
Safety
In 2002, the Honda S2000 received a 4-star
Euro NCAP
The European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP) is a European voluntary car safety performance assessment programme (i.e. a New Car Assessment Program) based in Leuven, Belgium. Formed in 1996, the first results were released in February ...
rating.
NHTSA
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA ) is an agency of the U.S. federal government, part of the Department of Transportation, focused on automobile safety regulations.
NHTSA is charged with writing and enforcing Feder ...
crash test ratings (2006):
* Frontal Crash Test – Driver:
* Frontal Crash Test – Passenger:
* Side Impact Rating – Driver:
* Rollover Rating:
8.2%
Reviews and awards

The S2000 has received much praise from critics and motoring journalists and has received favourable reviews from such publications as ''
Car and Driver
''Car and Driver'' (''CD'' or ''C/D'') is an American automotive enthusiast magazine first published in 1955. In 2006 its total circulation was 1.23 million. It is owned by Hearst Magazines, who purchased it from its prior owner Hachette Fi ...
''. Highlighted are the high output of the engine, the high redline, the balanced handling, and the smooth gearbox. User surveys have named the S2000 as a favorite for overall customer satisfaction.
* The S2000 was the Cabrio of the Year at 1999
Geneva International Motor Show
The Geneva International Motor Show was an annual auto show held in March in the Swiss city of Geneva.
The show was hosted at the Palexpo, a convention centre located next to the Geneva Cointrin International Airport. The Salon was organised by ...
where Honda held the roadster's world premiere.
* The S2000 was awarded the "Best of What's New" title by
Popular Science
Popular science (also called pop-science or popsci) is an interpretation of science intended for a general audience. While science journalism focuses on recent scientific developments, popular science is more broad ranging. It may be written ...
.
* The design of the S2000 won the
Red Dot Design Award
The Red Dot Design Award is an international, annual design competition for product and industrial design, brand and communication design as well as design concepts, in which the Red Dot quality label is awarded to winners. The Red Dot Design A ...
in 2001 in the "Best of the Best" Category.
* The S2000 was named the "Best Performance Car" by
Motorweek
''MotorWeek'' is an American television news magazine program that focuses on the automotive industry. The program is produced by Maryland Public Television for PBS, and airs on MAVTV. As of September 2023, ''MotorWeek'' is underwritten by T ...
, when it was new.
* The S2000 was on ''
Car and Driver
''Car and Driver'' (''CD'' or ''C/D'') is an American automotive enthusiast magazine first published in 1955. In 2006 its total circulation was 1.23 million. It is owned by Hearst Magazines, who purchased it from its prior owner Hachette Fi ...
''s
10Best list for 2000,
2001,
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,
2006,
and 2008
and consistently held one of the top three positions.
* The S2000 won ''Car and Driver''
's 2003 open-top sports car comparison test against the
Nissan 350Z
:
The Nissan 350Z (known as Nissan Fairlady Z (Z33) in Japan) is a two-door, two-seater sports car that was manufactured by Nissan, Nissan Motor Corporation from 2002 until 2009 and marks the fifth generation of Nissan's Nissan Z-car, Z-car line. ...
,
Porsche Boxster
The Porsche Boxster and Cayman are mid-engine two-seater sports cars manufactured and marketed by German automobile manufacturer Porsche across four generations—as a two-door, two-seater roadster (Boxster) and a three-door, two-seater fastbac ...
,
BMW Z4
The BMW Z models are a line of roadsters manufactured by German automaker BMW. The Z stands for ''Zukunft'' (German for ''future''), and has been produced in four different series with six generations consisting of roadster, coupé, sports car, a ...
, and
Audi TT
The Audi TT is a production front-engine, 2-door, 2+2 sports coupé and roadster, manufactured and marketed by Audi from 1998 to 2023 across three generations.
For each of its three generations, the TT has been based on consecutive generations ...
.
* The S2000 was ranked number #1 in the BBC ''
Top Gear
Top Gear may refer to:
* "Top gear", the highest gear available in a vehicle's manual transmission
Television
* ''Top Gear'' (1977 TV series), a British motoring magazine programme
* ''Top Gear'' (2002 TV series), a relaunched version of the ori ...
'' survey in 2003, 2005, and 2006.
* The S2000 was voted as favourite car of
Top Gear Magazine
''Top Gear'' is a British automobile magazine, owned by BBC Worldwide, and published under contract by Immediate Media Company. It is named after the BBC's '' Top Gear'' television show. It was first published in October 1993 and is published ...
readers in 2005, 2006 and 2007.
* The S2000 was ranked as "Best Affordable Sports Car" by ''
U.S. News & World Report'' in 2008
and 2009
* The S2000 was on Edmunds Consumers' Most Wanted Vehicles list for 2004, 2005 and 2007.
* The S2000 was the most reliable car in consumer report of AutoExpress UK in 2005 and 2006.
* The S2000 was voted in AutoExpress UK's Driver Power survey as the Best Performance Car 2003 and 2004, Best Gearbox 2003, Best Braking 2004 and Used Car Honours 2003 for Best Roadster. The S2000 was also the Auto Express Driver Power 2005 and 2006 overall winner across all categories.
* The S2000 was one of ''
Jalopnik
Static Media Inc., the business name of 7Hops.com Inc., is an American internet company established in 2012, incorporated in Delaware, and based in Indianapolis. It operates ZergNet, a content recommendation business that promotes paid content ...
s Best 10 Cars Of The Decade.
* The S2000 was one of ''
Road & Track
''Road & Track'' (stylized as ''R&T'') is an American automotive enthusiast magazine first published 1947. It is owned by Hearst Magazines and is published six times per year. The editorial offices are located in New York City.
History
''Road ...
s Best All-Around Sports Cars.
* The F20C engine of the S2000 was ranked as the best engine respective its size category in the competition "
International Engine of the Year
The International Engine of the Year was an annual competition for automotive industry internal combustion engines and electric motors, judged by a panel of automobile journalists from around the world. It is organised by UKi Media & Events' Autom ...
" for five consecutive years between 2000 and 2004.
* The F20C engine of the S2000 was one of
Ward's 10 Best Engines
Wards 10 Best Engines is an annual list of the ten "best" automobile engines available in the U.S. market, that are selected by '' Wards AutoWorld'' magazine. The list was started in 1994 for model year 1995, and has been drawn every year since the ...
in 2000 and 2001.
* In 2017,
Ferrari
Ferrari S.p.A. (; ) is an Italian luxury sports car manufacturer based in Maranello. Founded in 1939 by Enzo Ferrari (1898–1988), the company built Auto Avio Costruzioni 815, its first car in 1940, adopted its current name in 1945, and be ...
's chief engineer Francesco Morettini rated the S2000's engine as the non-Ferrari engine he admired the most.
* In 2023, the S2000 was voted as the third-best sports car of the previous 25 years by the
PistonHeads community.
Motorsport
The Honda S2000 has been used in various forms of motorsport. In the
Super Taikyu Series
Super Taikyu (スーパー耐久, ''Super Endurance''), formerly known as the Super N1 Taikyu Series prior to 2005 and N1 Endurance Series prior to 1995, and currently named the Eneos Super Taikyu Series Empowered by Bridgestone for sponsorship ...
, the car has won numerous championships in the ST-4 class and scored class victories at the
Tokachi 24 Hours race. It has also won its class at the
Nürburgring 24 Hours
The Nürburgring 24 Hours is a 24-hour annual touring car racing, touring car and Grand tourer, GT Endurance racing (motorsport), endurance racing event that takes place on a combination of the Nordschleife ("North Loop") and the GP-Strecke ("Gr ...
, and won at the
SCCA National Championship Runoffs
The SCCA National Championship Runoffs is the end-of-year championship race meeting for Sports Car Club of America Club Racing competitors. Divisional champions and other top drivers from the SCCA's 116 regions are invited to participate at the ...
. The S2000 is popular in
autocross
Autocross is a form of motorsport in which competitors are timed to complete a short course using automobiles on a dirt or grass surface, excepting where sealed surfaces are used in United States. Rules vary according to the governing or sanctioni ...
and
track day
A track day is an organised event in which non-members are allowed to drive or ride around established motor racing circuits, or alternatively (though far less common) on closed or disused airfields. Most race tracks around the world now provide t ...
events.
In
time attack
In many racing sports, an athlete (or occasionally a team of athletes) will compete in a time trial (TT) against the clock to secure the fastest time. The format of a time trial can vary, but usually follow a format where each athlete or team se ...
competition, an S2000 modified by Top Fuel set the lap record for rear-wheel drive cars at the
Tsukuba Circuit
is a motorsport race track located in Shimotsuma, Ibaraki, Shimotsuma, a neighboring city of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Tsukuba, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan, about north of central Tokyo. It is long, with 32 Pit stop, pit garages and a long back straig ...
in 2008, which it held for three years. With further modifications, the car produced tuning car lap records at
Fuji Speedway
is a motorsport race track standing in the foothills of Mount Fuji, in Oyama, Shizuoka, Oyama, Suntō District, Shizuoka, Suntō District, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. It was built in the early 1960s. In the 1980s, Fuji Speedway was used for the ...
,
Suzuka Circuit
The , the , is a long motorsport race track located in Ino, Suzuka, Mie, Suzuka City, Mie Prefecture, Japan and operated by Honda Mobilityland, a subsidiary of Honda, Honda Motor Co, Ltd. It has a capacity of 155,000. It is most well known by i ...
,
Okayama International Circuit
Okayama International Circuit (岡山国際サーキット), formerly known as TI Circuit Aida (TIサーキット英田) before 2005, is a private motorsport race track in Mimasaka, Okayama Prefecture, Japan
Japan is an island country ...
and
Autopolis
is a international racing circuit located near Kamitsue, Ōita, Kamitsue village in Ōita Prefecture, Japan on the northeast of Kumamoto. Nippon Autopolis">F1 News - Grandprix.com > GP Encyclopedia > Circuits > Nippon Autopolis/ref>
Tsurumaki ...
in 2014 and 2015, while its laptime of 51.762 seconds at Tsukuba set in 2016 ranks among the fastest ever recorded for time attack cars.
In
drifting, the S2000 scored several podiums in
Formula D
Formula DRIFT (also known as Formula D or FD) is an American drifting series, and was co-founded by Jim Liaw and Ryan Sage in 2003 as a sister company to Slipstream Global Marketing, the same partnership that introduced D1 Grand Prix to the ...
during the mid-2000s, including a win at an invitational event at
Irwindale
}
Irwindale is a city in the San Gabriel Valley, in Los Angeles County, California. The population was 1,472 at the 2020 census, 1,422 at the 2010 census. The ZIP Codes serving the area are 91010, which is shared with Duarte, 91702, which i ...
, which featured the top 16 drivers from the series' 2004 season.
Tetsuya Hibino
(born 10 April 1974 in Aichi) is a Japanese professional drifting driver, currently competing in the D1 Grand Prix series for Shibata Racing Team.
Like many of the drivers in the D1 Grand Prix, he is the owner of his own tuning shop called Sun ...
competed with a
2JZ-powered S2000 in the
D1 Grand Prix
The , abbreviated as D1GP and subtitled ''Professional Drift'', is a production car drifting series from Japan. After several years of hosting amateur drifting contests, Daijiro Inada, founder of '' Option'' magazine and Tokyo Auto Salon, and ...
series between 2017 and 2018, taking a solo run win at the 2017 Tsukuba round.
File:Honda S2000 Cup.jpg, The 2003 Nürburgring 24 Hours class-winning Honda S2000 race car
File:Osaka Auto Messe 2016 (664) - TOPFUEL S2000 TYPE RR.jpg, Top Fuel Honda S2000 Type RR used at Tsukuba Time Attack in 2016
File:D1 GP (1457514258) (cropped).jpg, The RS-R Honda S2000 drift car
Sales and production
After several years of steady production, sales of the roadster began falling dramatically starting in 2006, and the trend accelerated during the
2008 automotive industry crisis. In 2008, only 2,538 units were sold in the U.S. - a 74% decline from the 2002 sales peak. In November of that year, for the first time since its launch, only 90 new S2000s were sold nationwide during a calendar month.
Production of the S2000 ceased in June 2009
and plans for a successor were scrapped in the aftermath of the automotive industry crisis; Honda reaffirmed their stance on plans for a successor for the S2000 after patents and trademark filings for what would be the
Honda Sports Vision Gran Turismo surfaced in 2015, following the launch of the aforementioned concept car specifically designed for the ''
Gran Turismo'' series. During the 2009 announcement of the vehicle's production end, Honda reported that worldwide sales through the end of 2008 totaled 110,673 units.
The final official production figure was 113,889 by the end of 2009.
Different sources indicate different sales numbers for Europe, presumably because Honda indicates final numbers including States entered the EU during the production run, but it should be around 19,800-20,700. On the UK market more than 70% of the originally registered cars still remain, means currently nearly 6,300 cars registered out of 8,500 sold.
*Note: No new cars were produced in 2010 and 2011; sales represent clearance of residual inventory.Figures are not directly comparable as they are obtained through different methodologies in different markets.
References
External links
* Official Honda S2000 sites for th
Japan
{{Modern Honda vehicles
S2000
Roadsters
Euro NCAP roadster sports cars
Rear-wheel-drive vehicles
2000s cars
Cars introduced in 1999
Cars discontinued in 2009
Cars powered by longitudinal 4-cylinder engines
Mid-engined vehicles
Front mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive vehicles