Honda S2000
Honda S2000 ( 1999-2004)
The Honda S2000 is a roadster from the Japanese manufacturer Honda with rear wheel drive and front-mid engine. The Honda S2000 was developed under the overall management of the Chief Engineer Shigeru Uehara, who was responsible also for the Honda NSX. The first model (code AP1) came to market in 1999 and was built until 2009 hardly changed; first in the Tochigi assembly plant ( which had originally been built for the Honda NSX ), later in Suzuka. In January 2009, Honda announced that production would be discontinued in June of this year.
Development and presentation
The precursor of the S2000 was the study SSM (Sports Study Model), which was presented at the 31st Tokyo Motor Show October 18, 1995 for the first time. The basic concept corresponded substantially to the Honda S800 in a modern form, that is, along with horizontal engine and rear wheel drive. This prototype had, like the NSX, a self-supporting light-alloy body. The headlights were placed at the height of the grille and built the cockpit around the driver. The overall stability was significantly increased by a center rail for the cockpit side, and the use of a rigid aluminum subframe. Built-in was a 2.0 liter 4-cylinder DOHC VTEC with 147 kW (200 hp) and a new electronically controlled sequential five -speed automatic transmission, which was derived from the F -matic system of the NSX. To emphasize the mix of the traditional and the new in the SSM, the instrument panel had taken the form of a multifunctional LCD display. The ignition switch in credit card style was complemented by a push-button starter.
With its light - gold color of the SSM recalled in 1963 constructed the first Honda Formula 1 prototype, which was held in the same color. In 1996, slightly revised, now red study was presented at the Geneva Motor Show, the Mondial de l'Automobile in Paris. Only in 1997 he was then shown at the IAA in Frankfurt and in 1998 at the Detroit Motor Show.
The first presentation of the S2000 was Motor Show in January 1999 at the Detroit. He was elected to the International Motor Show in Geneva the same year by 17 automotive journalists from ten countries to the Cabrio of the Year.
Model history
The Honda S2000 is since its launch in Germany only with an engine, a high-revving four- cylinder engine with 177 kW (241 hp) from a 1997 cc engine capacity, available. This engine won five years in a row from 2000 to 2004 the International Engine of the Year Award in the category of 1.8 to 2.0 liters. With the S2000 Honda brought racing technology to the road and continued the previous rear-drive sports car in the Honda S600 and S800 Honda from the 1960s. Its high specific power reached the S2000 high speed. The rev limiter does not begin until about 9000 min - 1, which is unusually high for street-legal two-track vehicles.
His unusual torsion for a roadster body made the car for racing bets interesting. The Honda S2000 won numerous class wins in the endurance championship and a 10th place in the overall classification of the 24 -hour race at the Nürburgring 2003. Since 2005 there is a separate Honda S2000 Markencup in the long-distance championship (VLN).
Since the 2004 model year there are specially designed for the American market a new 2.2-liter engine developing according to Honda USA 237 HP SAE directive at 8,000 min-1 over a higher torque while lowering the maximum speed; also a "throttle -by-wire " system (electronically controlled throttle valve, see also drive-by -wire ), and a changed gear ratio. The stricter exhaust and noise regulations in some U.S. states ( especially in California ) rendered this necessary. Later this engine was also introduced to the Japanese market.
2004 was a subtle facelift front and rear.
In model year 2006, the German model, the " Throttle -by-wire " system, combined with the Honda version of ESP VSA ( Vehicle Stability Assist ) received. Additionally, there was from this model year changed seats, high range speaker in the roll bar, an outside temperature display and slightly modified aluminum rims.
For the model year 2007, the S2000 Type S appeared with front, rear and underbody spoiler, sportier suspension and two-tone seats ( black / gold ) on the Japanese market. 1260 kg, it was 60 kg lighter than the standard German version.
In January 2009, Honda announced that production of the S2000 will end in June with the 2009 model year, after ten years. By the end of 2008, approximately 110,000 copies had been sold, including about 65,000 in the U.S.. In Germany up to 2009 about 4,500 copies were sold. A successor is not currently planned.
Specifications
Registrations in Germany
(Source: Federal Motor Transport Authority Flensburg )