Quick information
🏎️ Honda S2000 (AP1)
📍 Japan
🛠️ 4-cylinder in-line 2.0 16V 208NM 240HP
💨 6,2 seconds
🔝 240km/h
💶 No longer on sale
What is it?
Produced between 1998 and 2009, the Honda S2000 is one of the most famous and beloved Spider cars of the 21st century. The S2000 was born on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of its car manufacturer, and represented the avant-garde philosophy of the brand, thanks to a simple design and innovative technologies.
Design
Designed to be sober and light (1270kg), the S2000 is a 2-seater with a pronounced nose with a simple shape and an almost rib-free body. Its aesthetic simplicity contrasts with the sophistication of competitors such as the BMW Z3 and the Mercedes SLK. As a treat, xenon headlights are standard. The generally good structure of the machine allowed excellent performance also in terms of safety, a figure confirmed by the score of 4 stars out of 5 in the Euro NCAP crash tests. The dimensions settle on 4,13 x 1,75 meters.
Interior
The interior is not particularly opulent, but the presence of an instrument panel inspired by that of Ayrton Senna’s 1991 Formula 1 McLaren is a noteworthy detail. The finishes have an average build quality.
Mechanics
For the S2000, it was decided to adopt an engine compatible with the modern Euro 3 emissions standard, in order to underline the avant-garde idea that the Japanese brand wanted to inaugurate with the introduction of this vehicle. Honda therefore opted for a naturally aspirated 2-liter VTEC with a power of 240HP and a torque of 208NM. This engine, which is mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission, was named Engine of the Year for 5 years in a row in the naturally aspirated 2-liter category by the International Engine of the Year Awards.
Evolution
In 2002, the rear window changed material from Plexiglas to glass. In 2004, a slight aesthetic restyling was presented and mainly concerned the body. In the same year, a 2.2-liter engine was introduced exclusively for the American and Japanese market, with a power similar to that of the 2-liter (only 2HP more) but more reactivity at low revs.
Our vote: ⭐⭐⭐⭐️ (4/5)
