Skip advert
Advertisement

Is a new S2000 any closer to production?

Honda continues to talk up the S2000 successor but refuses to confirm production

Honda has once again dangled an S2000 replacement, caveating any production hopes with questions over potential demand. Speaking to our sister title Auto Express, Honda CEO, Takahiro Hachigō, said “Honda is quick to develop sporty cars if requests are there. I’ve already heard many voices expressing a desire for a new S2000.”

Advertisement - Article continues below

Hachigō recognised the S2000’s global following by commenting, “All over the world there are more and more voices expressing a desire to launch this. However, we need more time to evaluate,” before going on to say, “Our first priority is to have an evolution of our current performance cars for the next generation, but if the sales people can give us a commitment to sales then it [S2000] might get the green light.”

Initial reports in 2015 surrounding Honda’s adhoc efforts to revive the S2000 moniker detailed a car thought to be a scaled down NSX. The Civic Type R’s turbo-four was touted to sit amidships, although that rumour has now been refuted. With the emissions goalposts continuously narrowing, sources close to Honda suggest a turbocharged 1.5-litre, augmented by electric motors will provide power. Honda hopes this more efficient powertrain configuration will yield around 300bhp and the internal combustion engine element could be a reworked version of the 1.5-litre from the current FK8 generation Civic producing 180bhp.

> Honda S2000 buying guide

Courtesy of Honda’s previous stint atop the motorsport tree, the trickle-down effect of F1 learnt expertise and technology underpinned the original S2000. The resulting car was by no means perfect but everything was peripheral to the F1-derived V-TEC engine, which, when uncorked, screamed all the way to a 9000rpm redline.

Built on a mid-engined floorplan, like the NSX, it is likely the new S2000 would rehash design elements from the Honda flagship. Speaking to a close source at Honda in 2016, Auto Express discovered Honda is looking to price the new S2000, should it eventually arrive, at around the £50k mark.

When, and if, a new S2000 arrives it'll face some stiff opposition. The next-generation BMW Z4 – recently unveiled in concept form – is due in 2018. We expect it a be a driver’s car true to BMW dynamics, especially if the M division weaves its magic over the car. The Porsche 718 Boxster still remains the segment leader, while its group relative, the Audi TT RS, is the best it has ever been. Jaguar’s four-cylinder F-Type also sits in the same pricing range as the next S2000, too.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

The new Toyota GR Yaris costs £44,250 – too much for a hot supermini?
Toyota GR Yaris Gen 2 – front
News

The new Toyota GR Yaris costs £44,250 – too much for a hot supermini?

Our early impressions of the Gen 2 GR Yaris suggest that it’s an improvement in every area that counts, but can it be worth £18k more than an i20 N?
27 Mar 2024
The new Mercedes-AMG G63 has arrived, and it still has a V8
Mercedes-AMG G63
News

The new Mercedes-AMG G63 has arrived, and it still has a V8

Some of Affalterbach’s range-toppers are swapping eight cylinders for four, but the AMG G-class retains its V8 for 2024
26 Mar 2024
Land Rover Defender OCTA: twin-turbo V8 and McLaren-style suspension tech for hot off-roader
Land Rover Defender OCTA – front
News

Land Rover Defender OCTA: twin-turbo V8 and McLaren-style suspension tech for hot off-roader

The OCTA promises to be the fastest, toughest and most capable Defender yet when it launches later this year
26 Mar 2024