Honda S2000

Group	4
Engine	Straight 4
Displacement	1997cc
Fuel feed and ignition	-
Location	Front longitudinal
Transmission	RWD 6 speed
Bore and stroke	87.0 x 84.4 mm (3.43 x 3.32 in)
Compression ratio	11.1:1
Cylinder block	Aluminium alloy, wet sump
Cylinder head	Aluminium alloy, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder with VTEC variable valve timing
Redline rpm	8800
Bhp @ rpm	237 @ 7000
lb ft @ rpm	153 @ 7500
Kerb weight/kg	1260
bhp/ton	188
bhp/litre	119
Chassis	-
Tyres	205/55 VR16 front, 225/50 VR16 rear, Bridgestone Potenza S-02
Wheels	6.5J x 16" front, 7.5J x 16" rear
Brakes	Ventilated, 300mm front and 282mm rear, ABS
Steering	Rack and pinion, hydraulic asssisted
Front suspension	Independent double wishbone, coil springs, anti-roll bar
Rear suspension	Independent double wishbone, coil springs, anti-roll bar
Cabin	2 door; 2 seat
0-60/secs	5.5
0-100/secs	14.6
Max mph	150
Fuel tank	50 litres
Year	1998-2009
Country	Japan
Price when new	-
Number produced	-

The Honda S2000 was launched in 1999 to commemorate 50 years of Honda’s sporting heritage. It is a front engine, rear-wheel drive open top race-car-inspired sports car developed with the experience of over 40 years of motor racing and six Formula one constructors’ titles.
 
Honda had a large budget and lots of resources to design a completely new sports car for the 21st Century and continue it’s tradition of previous technically advanced lightweight S-series roadsters which started with Honda’s first production car the S500 which itself had an unheard of 9500rpm redline. The S600 followed and was Honda first mass market car, shortly followed by the larger and more powerful engined S800 in 1965.
 
The race-bred longitudinally mounted 2.0litre VTEC engine for the new roadster was developed at Tochigi, Honda F1 research and development centre, by engineers who also designed Honda’s winning F1 engine. It set a new record for the specific output of a normally aspirated production car engine at 120bhp/litre. This high power is created by having an engine that can rev to 9000rpm, while Honda VTEC system acts on both intake and exhaust valves with two counter rotating overhead camshafts and three cam lobes to change the valve timing at low and high revs allowing 80% of the maximum torque to be available from just 2000rpm. The result is smooth low down performance and high end power.
 
The engine has cylinders liners made from carbon fibre reinforced alumina which is extremely tough and hard wearing (the same process is used in the NSX supercar) the increased strength allows thinner cylinder walls in the engine block yielding a lighter and smaller engine. Helping it to rev to 9000rpm are special coated pistons to reduce friction and a new smaller VTEC rocker arm allowing easy high revving in a very efficient compact engine. Throttle response is optimised by making the intake tract as straight as possible whilst optimising volume. It is an engineering masterpiece and won International Engine of the Year 5 years running from 2000.
 
Both engine and gearbox were speciality designed for the S2000 with the aim of producing a front engined car with the engine set back behind the front suspension mounts giving a perfect 50/50 weight distribution front to back. This was achieved with a small engine and narrow gearbox that could be set far back without transmission tunnel intrusion into the cabin. The compact design also features a short direct shift linkage to speed up gear changes which combine with the 6 closely spaced ratios for a race car feel. Power is delivered to the rear wheels through a lightweight prop shaft and Torsen (Torque-Sensing) mechanical limited slip-differential to maintain traction and power delivery especially when cornering.
 
The chassis is an extremely rigid monocoque X-bone frame like the ones used in Formula One cars and is crucial to good handling and safety. It has a central rigid tunnel that runs down the middle of the cockpit and serves as the backbone and main load-bearing structure. Additional strength is provided by two diagonal projecting arms to the front and rear forming the X-bone shape. This strengthens the car without a big increase in weight from reinforced sills and floorplans normally required in open top cars – the reduced weight means improved straight line performance and cornering ability. It is the X-bone structure that absorbs the wheel forces via rigid subframes and the front and rear, while suspension is provided by race proven independent double wishbones at all corners with coil-over springs and anti roll bars for exceptional handling and safety.
 
Instrumentation is digital with an F1 style rev counter displayed through the steering wheel and a red starter button as a reminder of the F1 heritage. The roadster also has the fastest electric roof which takes only 6 seconds to operate.
 
"A pure driving tool with a keen chassis, manic engine and fabulously slick gearshift" ****1/2 evo Magazine