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Motor Authority - blog Category: S2000

  • Honda marks the end of the S2000 with new 'Ultimate Edition'

    Honda marks the end of the S2000 with new 'Ultimate Edition' January 29th, 2009 ByKenneth Hall Kenneth Hall, Author, January 29th, 2009 Kenneth Hall 4 Comments

    Honda marks the end of the S2000 with new 'Ultimate Edition' Just days ago Honda confirmed that its 2009 model-year S2000 would be the last of the line of the stylish sports cars, and today the company announced that it would mark the event with the release of a special ‘Ultimate Edition’ model. Set to make its debut at the Geneva Motor Show, the new S2000 Ultimate Edition will go on sale in Europe this March but unfortunately there are no plans to bring it Stateside.

    As the name suggests, the Honda S2000 Ultimate Edition will be the last version before global production of the model ceases altogether at the end of June. Since the introduction of the S2000 in 1999 until the end of 2008, ... Just days ago Honda confirmed that its 2009 model-year S2000 would be the last of the line of the stylish sports cars, and today the company announced that it would mark the event with the release of a special ‘Ultimate Edition’ model. Set to make its debut at the Geneva Motor Show, the new S2000 Ultimate Edition will go on sale in Europe this March but unfortunately there are no plans to bring it Stateside. As the name suggests, the Honda S2000 Ultimate Edition will be the last version before global production of the model ceases altogether at the end of June. Since the introduction of the S2000 in 1999 until the end of 2008, Honda has sold 110,673 units worldwide. The Ultimate Edition retains the standard 2.0L 9000rpm VTEC engine but comes with a unique ‘Grand Prix White’ paint scheme and graphite colored alloy wheels. This special paint was first used on Honda's 1964 F1 race car and has since been used for a number of performance models. Peak output remains at 237hp (177kW) and 153lb-ft (207Nm) of torque, with drive sent to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox. The white exterior will be matched with a red leather interior and joined by color-matched stitching on the gear lever. Ultimate Editions will also be marked by a unique numbered plaque located inside the door sills. Rumors of ongoing S2000-replacement development have persisted in the face of official denials, so at this point it's anybody's guess. The only thing certain is that 2009 marks the end of the line of the original, and still competitive, S2000.2009 Honda S2000 Ultimate Edition Read More

  • Honda officially cancels S2000

    Honda officially cancels S2000 January 26th, 2009 By Nelson Ireson Nelson Ireson, Author, January 26th, 2009 Nelson Ireson 3 Comments

    Honda officially cancels S2000 Earlier this month word of Honda's decision to cancel its Honda/Acura V8 program, the CR-Z convertible and the next-generation S2000 emerged, but today Honda has officially announced that the 2009 S2000 will be the last.

    Produced for a full decade, from 1999 (as a 2000 model year car) through 2009, the S2000 has finally reached the end of its road. Along the way it received minor suspension and appearance updates, a slightly larger engine and other refinements, but it lived that decade in largely the same form it was created.

    Honda hadn't originally intended the S2000 to extend much beyond its introduction, however. It was designed and... Earlier this month word of Honda's decision to cancel its Honda/Acura V8 program, the CR-Z convertible and the next-generation S2000 emerged, but today Honda has officially announced that the 2009 S2000 will be the last. Produced for a full decade, from 1999 (as a 2000 model year car) through 2009, the S2000 has finally reached the end of its road. Along the way it received minor suspension and appearance updates, a slightly larger engine and other refinements, but it lived that decade in largely the same form it was created. Honda hadn't originally intended the S2000 to extend much beyond its introduction, however. It was designed and built as a tribute to the company's 50th anniversary, envisioned as a limited-edition run. "The S2000 is a sports car designed by enthusiasts for enthusiasts," said John Mendel, executive vice president of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "It raised the bar for all future roadsters, and it's already considered a classic by many Honda fans." The final iteration of the car is still on sale now, in standard and CR, or Club Racer, form. Whether the cancellation of the S2000 means the vehicle is in fact dead, or is simply being replaced by another sporty roadster, is yet unknown however. Rumors of ongoing S2000-replacement development have persisted in the face of corporate indications to the contrary, so at this point it's anybody's guess. The only thing certain is that 2009 marks the end of the line of the original, and still competitive, S2000.2009 Honda S2000 CR2009 Honda S2000 Read More

  • Report: Honda cancels next-gen S2000, V8 program and CR-Z convertible

    Report: Honda cancels next-gen S2000, V8 program and CR-Z convertible January 6th, 2009 ByKenneth Hall Kenneth Hall, Author, January 6th, 2009 Kenneth Hall 8 Comments

    Report: Honda cancels next-gen S2000, V8 program and CR-Z convertible Tough times in terms of sales and profits are hitting the entire industry hard, but Honda appears to be taking it particularly badly if the latest report from Japan proves true. News of the cancellation of Honda's V8 program, its CR-Z convertible, and perhaps most lamentably, its next-gen S2000 roadster, has emerged today.

    The report indicates that Honda's drastic reshaping of its future product lineup is being done with an eye to a leaner, greener brand image, according to AutoWeek. These factors would certainly toll the death knell of a planned RWD Acura V8 - possibly a heavily redesigned RL due around 2015, just as the V10-powered NSX... Tough times in terms of sales and profits are hitting the entire industry hard, but Honda appears to be taking it particularly badly if the latest report from Japan proves true. News of the cancellation of Honda's V8 program, its CR-Z convertible, and perhaps most lamentably, its next-gen S2000 roadster, has emerged today. The report indicates that Honda's drastic reshaping of its future product lineup is being done with an eye to a leaner, greener brand image, according to AutoWeek. These factors would certainly toll the death knell of a planned RWD Acura V8 - possibly a heavily redesigned RL due around 2015, just as the V10-powered NSX has met its demise. The S2000 replacement, however, would seem to be somewhat less subject to abuse from an anti-green sentiment, with its small-displacement and efficient four-cylinder engine. Nevertheless, it, as well as a convertible variant of the future CR-Z hybrid are also thought to be dead. A car that's caught between the two, envisioned as a low-emissions drop-top sports roadster, the Honda OSM Concept, gave a taste of what we may never see. The savings in development costs alone will likely be substantial, but the cost in fans and excitement about Honda's products will be immeasurable.2008 Honda OSM Roadster conceptHonda CR-Z Concept Read More

  • Honda previews 2009 Tokyo Auto Salon concepts

    Honda previews 2009 Tokyo Auto Salon concepts January 6th, 2009 By Nelson Ireson Nelson Ireson, Author, January 6th, 2009 Nelson Ireson 2 Comments

    Honda previews 2009 Tokyo Auto Salon concepts While U.S. carmakers prepare for the 2009 Detroit Auto Show, Honda is readying a range of concepts to show off at the 2009 Tokyo Auto Salon, which celebrates Japan's modified vehicles. The headline concepts are a pair of Sports Modulo cars based on the S2000 and Fit (Jazz).

    Modulo is Honda's Japanese-market factory customization, and the Sports Modulo S2000 Concept and Sports Modulo Fit Concept are intended to show what could be in the works for future customization packages. The aggressive and flamboyant exterior styling is matched inside both cars with upgraded materials and finishes. Little in the way of details is yet known about the... While U.S. carmakers prepare for the 2009 Detroit Auto Show, Honda is readying a range of concepts to show off at the 2009 Tokyo Auto Salon, which celebrates Japan's modified vehicles. The headline concepts are a pair of Sports Modulo cars based on the S2000 and Fit (Jazz). Modulo is Honda's Japanese-market factory customization, and the Sports Modulo S2000 Concept and Sports Modulo Fit Concept are intended to show what could be in the works for future customization packages. The aggressive and flamboyant exterior styling is matched inside both cars with upgraded materials and finishes. Little in the way of details is yet known about the two cars, though Honda has released these images. Full information will come once the Tokyo Auto Salon gets underway on January 9. Several other concepts will be joining the Sports Modulo vehicles: a Racing Modulo Civic Type R competition car, a pair of Life and Crossroad Styling Study Models, and a range of cars and motorcycles featuring Honda's full range of upgrade equipment, audio and navigation systems and other accessories.Honda at the 2009 Tokyo Auto Salon Read More

  • New details on Honda’s next-generation S2000

    New details on Honda’s next-generation S2000 October 11th, 2008 ByRalph Hanson Ralph Hanson, Author, October 11th, 2008 Ralph Hanson 5 Comments

    New details on Honda’s next-generation S2000 For a company that spends hundreds of millions of dollars on its F1 program, Honda has been awfully quiet in the sports car scene. The S2000 was released nearly a decade ago and a replacement for the NSX isn’t due to arrive for another couple of years, and even then the car will be limited production model for sale in Acura-only markets.

    Over the past 12 months Honda has revealed two new sports car concepts - the CR-Z from last year’s Tokyo Motor Show and the more recent OSM from July’s London Motor Show - but to this day there has been no official mention of a successor to one of the company’s most popular sports... For a company that spends hundreds of millions of dollars on its F1 program, Honda has been awfully quiet in the sports car scene. The S2000 was released nearly a decade ago and a replacement for the NSX isn’t due to arrive for another couple of years, and even then the car will be limited production model for sale in Acura-only markets. Over the past 12 months Honda has revealed two new sports car concepts - the CR-Z from last year’s Tokyo Motor Show and the more recent OSM from July’s London Motor Show - but to this day there has been no official mention of a successor to one of the company’s most popular sports cars, the S2000. While the OSM looked like it could be a preview of a possible S2000 replacement, Honda has confirmed that it isn’t. Instead, the London show car is more likely to be a preview of a convertible hybrid sports car due early next decade. A coupe version based on the CR-Z will also be built. That doesn’t mean there are no plans for an S2000 successor. Road & Track reports that an inside source at Honda confirmed the S2000 replacement is currently in development in Japan but won’t be unveiled until 2011 – a year after the launch of the NSX replacement and CR-Z. No other details were revealed but there are rumors that a V6 engine, possibly a 3.5L or 3.7L unit from the TL, could be used in what would essentially be an ‘S3000’ roadster. However, a major part of the appeal of the original is its high-strung four-cylinder engine, which owners needed to ‘master’ to get the most of. Instead, Honda will likely stick with a four-cylinder but could bump displacement up to 2.5L.2008 Honda OSM Roadster conceptHonda CR-Z Concept Read More

  • Honda reveals NSX, CR-X, S2000 plans

    Honda reveals NSX, CR-X, S2000 plans March 6th, 2008 By Viknesh Vijayenthiran Viknesh Vijayenthiran, Author, March 6th, 2008 Viknesh Vijayenthiran 6 Comments

    Honda reveals NSX, CR-X, S2000 plans Ten years ago the world was rich in Japanese sports cars. Skip forward today and the true Japanese sports car has become a rarity, with the Nissan GT-R being the most noteworthy example of late. Japanese automotive powerhouses Toyota and Honda have both been found lacking in this area, Honda having had no real sports car since the S2000, with the Integra and Civic Type-R completely lacking the caliber of Honda sports cars of the past. Honda is now planning to revive its famous nameplates from the past, going for a strategy that will cover the low, medium, and high-end sports car market.

    When it comes to Japanese supercars, no discussion can... Ten years ago the world was rich in Japanese sports cars. Skip forward today and the true Japanese sports car has become a rarity, with the Nissan GT-R being the most noteworthy example of late. Japanese automotive powerhouses Toyota and Honda have both been found lacking in this area, Honda having had no real sports car since the S2000, with the Integra and Civic Type-R completely lacking the caliber of Honda sports cars of the past. Honda is now planning to revive its famous nameplates from the past, going for a strategy that will cover the low, medium, and high-end sports car market. When it comes to Japanese supercars, no discussion can end without mention of the famous NSX. Promised to be a competitor to established Europeans like Ferrari and Porsche, the next-gen model is aiming to join the ranks of the Nissan GT-R and the upcoming Lexus LF-A in a trio of Japanese glory. While a design is still uncertain, power is aimed at being over 500hp with all-wheel-drive and four-wheel steering added for high-speed cornering abilities according to Honda chief Takeo Fukui. Expect this to hit the streets around 2010. For those who liked the CR-Z concept, a new CR-X based on this will make an appearance in late 2009. The car’s development is apparently already 90% complete and will be an exciting prospect mixing both sports and hybrid ideologies. Power figures are still yet to be decided but rumors of 250hp+ seem to be likely. Lastly, Honda’s only current sports car, the S2000, is still around but is definitely at the fag-end of its shelf life, with last-minute special-editions released to help spike sales (think S2000 Type S and S2000 CR). It seems that the company executives are still undecided on whether the replacement should be more about horsepower or agility, but expect nothing for at least 18 months. Honda CR-Z conceptHonda CR-Z Concept Read More

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