Honda's S2000 is making a comeback in 2017.
Unfortunately, by then, it will already have stiff competition from Mazda's MX-5 and Fiat's 124, but because of the release of those two vehicles, Honda has finally decided to bring back its much loved S2000.
Originally released in 1999, Honda's S2000 was coveted for what was its unique balance of power, control, and open-top styling. A decade later, the second generation S2000 was expected to be released but it never came. In that time, other carmakers took over and better appealed to enthusiasts, and the S2000 lost its place.
Nonetheless, competition does tend to bring out the best in us, and Honda intends to compete. Mazda's MX-5 is already out roaming the streets, and Fiat's 124 is coming soon. Honda really doesn't have much of a window of opportunity left to stake a spot in this class of cars. It will, however, come out with the more powerful vehicle amongst its rivals.
Loyal purists will be happy to know that Honda won't be completely changing the S2000's DNA by very much. The vehicle will still retain a front-mounted engine and rear-wheel drive. The S2000's design though will most likely receive touches of influence from Honda's street-friendly supercar, the NSX.
Under the hood, the base version of the S2000 is said to sport a four-cylinder VTEC variable valve engine that will be tweaked to produce at least 180bhp. That will be 25bhp more than the higher-end MX-5 and 22bhp more than the U.S.-market 124.
Honda will also offer a Type-R S2000 that will borrow from the new Civic Type-R's 2.0-liter turbocharged 306bhp engine. Of course, it will be detuned on the S2000, but the car will still feature much sportier specs like a carbon aero kit, Honda's damping system, a rear limited-slip differential, and a few other tricks.
Will the S2000 also offer a hybrid option just like the NSX? Probably not.
"Whether or not we develop a hybrid depends on the type of car. It is not the case that we have a fixed notion that a sports car always has to be a hybrid," says Honda President Takahiro Hachigo.
Hopefully, Honda continues in its efforts to make up for lost time and quickly bring the S2000 off production floors. Between its competition, the S2000 could come out on top as the open-top roadster to beat, should it actually become a reality.
Photo: Rick Flores | Flickr
