The two-seater Honda S2000 roadster began to be produced in Japan in 1999; the debut of this model was timed to coincide with the fiftieth anniversary of the Honda brand. Double car had rear wheel drive and multi-link suspensions in the front and in the back. But the most remarkable thing about the Honda S2000 is the engine: a two-liter four-cylinder naturally aspirated engine with a system for variable valve timing and valve opening, it developed 240 hp. With. (in Japanese specification - 250 forces) and was capable of spinning up to almost 9000 rpm. Thus, a world record was set among production engines - 120 horsepower per liter of displacement without supercharging. All cars were equipped with six-speed manual transmissions.
Design
Externally the car looked really great and was attractive on the roads common use, and in 2003 the model was restyled and began to look even more attractive and aggressive. All production of this model was discontinued in 2009.
The appearance of this model is one of its best qualities. The roadster looks simply gorgeous; with such a car you will definitely not go unnoticed on the road. The optics have a shape similar to a petal, and inside the headlights there are lensed optics that shine just fine. The hood is smooth and does not have different reliefs, but the wings already have them. The bumper is quite massive, it has a pair of ribs along the edges, and in the middle there is a huge radiator grille.
Looking at Honda model The S2000 from the side, you notice the large arches, and the rib on the doors takes the view to a high level. The rear view mirror is mounted on a foot. The rear is also one of the most attractive parts of this car. It also has petal-shaped optics, but larger ones. The headlights also contain lensed optics. On the trunk lid there is a spoiler with a brake light repeater; it is small, so in addition to it, a second, larger one is often installed. The bumper is massive, and in its lower part there are 2 compartments in which the exhaust pipes are located.
DIMENSIONS
Despite the fact that the wheelbase remained the same (2,400 mm), the body itself became smaller by 16 mm (it used to be 4,133, and now 4,1117 mm). The height of the car has grown by 18 mm (it used to be 1,270, and now it is 1,288 mm). The width of the machine is 1,750 mm. Wheels are no longer installed with a diameter of 16 inches, but 17 with branded tires worldwide well-known company Bridgestone RE-050.
INTERIOR
If we talk about the interior of the Honda S2000, then minor changes have been made. For example, the first generation of the car had red seats, but now they are painted in combined color(red-black). A chrome insert has found its place on the centrally mounted console. Previously there was an outdated audio system, now it has been replaced with a newer, more progressive one. These changes also affected climate system. The seat headrests acquired additional speakers, which gave the sound quality improved and listening became more comfortable, even when open roof. When you find yourself behind the wheel of a Japanese Honda S2000, you feel the inherent spirit of a sports car. The cockpit only confirms this. This is also noticeable in the low seating position, high doors, central tunnel and minimalist interior of the sports car. 
When designing the interior design, the company's design staff sought to reflect the real sport style. This is noticeable in the simple, clean lines, digital instrument panel, which is installed on racing cars, control levers located near the steering wheel - all this seems to remind you of the world of competition and speed. In creating the semi-circular digital instrument panel, the engineering team was inspired by images of the prestigious Formula 1 racing. Until the ignition is turned on, the instrument panel is a dark space, but is illuminated with orange light as soon as the key is turned in the ignition. The range of the engine speed sensor is numbered up to 10,000 rpm, and the red zone is located in the range from 9,000 – 10,000. Near the steering wheel, a red “Engine Start” button has found its place, which starts the power unit of the car. The seats have a comfortable anatomical shape and well-developed support with built-in headrests that follow the shape of the contours of individual safety bars. These seats can firmly hold the passengers sitting on them even during steep maneuvers. As a choice, the buyer will have two interior colors available – red and black.
Special attention was paid to the quality of the materials used for the upholstery of panels and seats inside the car. Understanding that the interior of the car with the roof open would be exposed to the sun, finishing materials were used taking into account their resistance to ultraviolet radiation. Also appeared new department for the safety of small things between the seats and a pair of cup holders, which can be closed using a sliding lid. The well-known brand emblem is present on the steering wheel Japanese company. The updated panel also made it possible to set the clock. As a separate option, you can install a hard top, which will allow you to winter time escape from the cold. The size of the luggage compartment is not so large and equals only 152 liters of usable space, but do not forget for what reason and why they buy cars of this class. 
Specifications
4 types of engines were offered, the power of which was approximately similar, they were all gasoline and naturally aspirated:
- The first was a 2-liter unit that produced 240 Horse power. Given power allowed the car to accelerate to hundreds in 6.2 seconds, and the maximum speed was 240 km/h. It’s hardly worth talking about consumption, but we’ll talk - 13 liters in the city and 8 on the highway.
- Next we have a unit of the same volume, but its power is 10 horsepower higher. He uses 8.6 liters in a mixed cycle. Unfortunately, nothing is known about its dynamic performance.
- Now, the Honda S2000 engine has a volume of 2.2 liters and a capacity of 237 horses. This motor showed its dynamics just like the very first one, but the maximum speed was only 1 km/h higher. Nevertheless, consumption in the city also remained equal to 13 liters, but on the highway it was already 9.
- Last engine, despite the fact that its power is equal to only 242 horsepower with a volume of 2.2 liters, it showed the most best overclocking to one hundred, it's 5.7 seconds. The maximum speed was the same 240 km/h, but nothing is known in terms of consumption.
The engine was paired only with a manual gearbox, which has 6 steps.
PROS AND CONS OF HONDA S2000
The advantages are:
- Pleasant appearance of the car;
- Stylish but at the same time sporty lines;
- Application of LED lamps;
- Wide and big wheels;
- Possibility to fold and open the roof;
- Stylish and sporty interior;
- Improved quality of materials used;
- Sporty, comfortable seats with good lateral support;
- Interesting dashboard;
- Strong power units;
- Good gearbox;
- Build quality;
- High speed motor.
Disadvantages of the following plan:
- The interior is getting a little dated over time given the use modern trends V latest cars;
- Small luggage compartment volume;
- Tall people will not be very comfortable;
- Cost of the car.
Honda S2000 Club Racer
At the 2007 New York Auto Show, the premiere of a special track-oriented version of the Honda S2000 Club Racer roadster took place. The car received a stiffer suspension, new tires and an aerodynamic body kit, which included a front splitter, a modified rear bumper and a wing that increases the downforce level by up to 80% compared to the regular version. In addition, instead of a fabric folding roof, the Honda S2000 Club Racer uses a lightweight removable aluminum top, and in order to reduce weight, the designers removed it from the car spare wheel and air conditioning, which have become additional equipment. As a result, the weight of the model was reduced by 90 kg. 
Other special versions of Honda S2000
Also in 2007, it appeared Honda version S200 Type S, which is a modification of the Club Racer for the Japanese market with softer suspension settings, a fabric roof and other tires. A total of 100 of these machines were produced. At the 2009 Geneva Motor Show, the Honda S2000 Ultimate Edition was presented to mark the end of production of the model. This special version features a removable hard top, white body paint in Grand Prix White, red leather interior And alloy wheels graphite color. Under the hood is a 240-horsepower two-liter VTEC engine. A similar modification for the UK market was called GT Edition 100, where the number indicates the total circulation of the model. Today you can buy a Honda S2000 in Russia only on the secondary market. The price of a roadster varies on average from 600,000 to 1,000,000 rubles. There are not very many offers, and tuning versions of the model can cost much more
In the end, I would like to say that despite the small-scale update, Honda car The S2000 just got better. This affected primarily the exterior of the car; some sharp lines appeared, new light-amplifying equipment appeared, and both bumpers changed. The inside is also much better. This affected the quality of the materials used and the quality of the assembly itself. Dashboard it began to look more pleasant, and the seats received good lateral support and a confident shape with working headrests. The engine has now become more powerful, but consumption has not affected it much. It is also practical and does its job well. New redesigned manual transmission shifting gears, allowed for faster acceleration.
PRICE
In 2004 year Honda The S2000 has been slightly modified. The changes mainly affected the interior of the already magnificent appearance. Regarding the cost, this vehicle with low mileage (up to 50 thousand) you can buy today for 25-30 thousand US dollars.
The release of the S2000 was timed to coincide with the company's 50th anniversary. The car is based on the concept development of Honda SSM.
The appearance of this car fully corresponds to the idea of a dream car: arrow-shaped, with a huge hood and a powerful profile wheel arches, small ground clearance, huge rims. Inside, the first thing that attracts attention is the huge red Start Engine button, which starts the engine after turning the key in the ignition.
A convertible with the top up always looks impressive and attractive. The awning is controlled by a servo mechanism, which is activated only in complete static conditions and with the handbrake lever raised. True, there is one nuance, the need to take it out of the trunk and manually attach the lid covering the compartment where the roof itself is hidden.
The S2000 interior is designed in best traditions dream cars, where in their rightful places are: a small steering wheel with a leather rim, perforated pedals made in a purely sporty style, and a titanium gearshift knob.
The instrument panel features a red digital speedometer eye and a tachometer, the orange bars of which pulsate in time with the engine. The elasticity and coherence of the engine and 6-speed gearbox is so high that all this is done without difficulty in third gear.
For better control and full control The creators made every effort on the road. For example, instead of traditional hydraulic power steering, they equipped the S2000 with electric power steering. Lightening the engine as much as possible through the use of light alloys, composite materials And the latest plastics, they placed it almost at the center of the base, behind the front axle, thereby achieving 50 percent weight distribution along the axles, thereby improving stability and handling. A powerful and lightweight X-shaped frame integrated into the body with cast aluminum elements ensures body rigidity. At the same time, the S2000 uses a lightweight, progressive, lightweight and compact suspension.
The heart of the S2000 is latest achievement high technology Honda. The unit is aluminum block, magnesium head, racing aluminum pistons and three-stage VTEC system latest generation. A two-liter 240-horsepower engine provides the Honda S2000 with an ardent temperament (acceleration to 100 km/h in six seconds, top speed - 250 km/h). The Honda S2000 engine is a four-cylinder, sixteen-valve engine with variable valve timing. Despite the high power, the car complies with the 2000 environmental standards adopted in Europe and the USA.
Contrary to assumptions that such a high-speed engine would create discomfort at extremely low speeds, it behaves extremely compliantly. This is greatly facilitated by very light pedals, precision brakes and unique gear shifting with literally a millimeter stroke of the handle, reminiscent of a computer joystick.
Based on the rule that everything that is done conscientiously can be improved indefinitely, the specialists of the tuning studio Giacuzzo managed to introduce small, but quite original and creative changes to the appearance of the S2000. For example, the standard wheels were replaced with attractive and lightweight Emotion-Line wheels, the surface of which is polished by hand. Giacuzzo offers an adjustable suspension for the Honda S2000 that allows you to change the ground clearance in a range of up to 60 mm. A simpler modification option is to install new suspension springs, which lower the roadster body by 35 mm.
Giacuzzo also worked on the exhaust sound, which is an important component of the image of a sports car. On the Honda S2000, Giacuzzo experts suggest installing a stainless steel muffler with two impressive 90 mm exhaust pipes, giving the roadster a pleasant sound for connoisseurs.
The 2003 model is distinguished, first of all, by its slightly “tweaked” appearance for the sake of sportiness - the shape of the front end and headlights have changed. Thanks to the use of new front lights with three light sources, the light output has increased.
Modified form rear bumper and two oval chrome exhaust tips visually added dynamism to the roadster.
The shape of the door panels was changed, which increased the space at the elbows and shoulders of the front passengers by 20 mm.
Standard equipment on the S2000 now includes a leather shift knob, as well as brushed aluminum inserts on the sides of the headrests, audio system and center console. A new compartment for storing small items between the seats and two cup holders are closed with a sliding lid, and the steering wheel is decorated with a branded emblem. Digital displays The instruments became easier to read, and a clock appeared on the panel.
Sports layout of a two-seater roadster with rear-wheel drive, a powerful two-liter VTEC engine producing 240 hp. accelerates to “hundreds” in 6.2 seconds. and has a top speed of 241 km/h.
The use of new carbon synchronizers in all gears, which reduced wear, reduced weight and improved the quality of the gearbox as a whole. The new clutch system ensures a smoother transfer of high torque from the engine to the wheels.
To improve ride quality, the S2000 now features 17-inch wheels (up from 16-inch on the previous model) with low-profile Bridgestone Potenza tires that grip the road in extreme conditions. high speeds. At the same time, the front tires 205/55R16 were replaced with 215/45R17, and the rear tires 225/50R16 with 245/40R17.
Finally a new one ABS system It works even more effectively in situations where the degree of grip on the road surface changes instantly between different wheels.
In 2004, the S2000 also received a light update, which mostly affected the chassis. Commenting on the company's decision, Honda experts referred to customer reviews that characterized the S2000 as a difficult and unsafe car to drive. Which forced Honda to modify the chassis. For example, softer rear suspension allows the rear wheels to cling to the asphalt longer, thanks to this, the roadster now skids later and softer, its behavior has become more predictable.
And increased body rigidity helps preserve and even increase driving pleasure: several additional cross members between the side members in the engine compartment, spacers between the supports of the front springs and in the front wall of the trunk.
Honda S2000 since 2004 model year will be a different car. Safer and more predictable to drive.
In the 90s, a song was often played on the radio in which the following words were heard: “I bought myself a Honda car, Honda...”. So if you decide to take a swing at a Honda car, but not just any car, but a Honda S2000, we sincerely shake your hand - you made the right choice! Let's dive into history. The S2000 model was dedicated to the 50th anniversary of the existence of the Honda company. Represents sports car, which was produced for 10 years, from 1999 to 2009. It became a continuation (and very successful!) of the S series roadsters - models 500, 600, 800. It was restyled only once - in 2003. The entire Honda lineup.
Exterior
The external update that affected the Honda S2000 and acquired the factory name AP2 is almost no different from the previous model. The responsible designer of the company's sports department, Shigeru Uhara, was well aware that a sudden change in the appearance of the car could only harm it. But despite this, the car received brand new rear and front bumpers. Changes also affected the front and rear optical light-amplification systems, which received LED content. The shapes of the pipes have been changed exhaust system, which received an oval design and also changed the shape of the rear spoiler, which is conveniently located in the luggage compartment. Generally speaking, the 2003 car is distinguished by changes in the direction of sporting qualities. This is partly noticeable in the shape of the car's nose and headlights. By using new front lamps, in which three light sources were installed, the luminous flux was increased.
A strong low beam (HID) projector beam has found its place between the turn signal lamp and the high beam lamp. The body of the car was made entirely of steel, except for the hood, which was made of aluminum. With precise proportions, the car is elegant and muscular. The presence of chiseled and sharp lines indicates the excellent dynamism of the roadster. With the help of a short front overhang, a fairly low hood line and widely spaced wheels, the car gets an aggressive appearance. The side of the car is still impressive. The shape of the door panels was changed, with the help of which it was possible to increase them by 20 mm free place in the elbows and shoulders of passengers sitting in front. The side gives the feeling that the car is designed to cut through air currents. This is partly true, because the Honda S2000 has good aerodynamic performance.
Stampings, which are noticeable on the door and side of the car, give it more originality and playfulness. The rear view mirrors are painted to match the color of the entire car. The soft roof of the roadster adjusts and unfolds within 6 seconds using an electric drive. The hardtop will be offered only as an option. The rear of the Honda S2000 also has a reshaped rear bumper and a pair of oval-shaped exhaust pipe tips made of chrome. The new lighting is represented by the presence of LED lighting technology, which seriously improves the brightness and speed of switching on the lamps, which are covered with a transparent bulb. A little deeper, the rear fog lamp has found its place, next to which the turn signal lamp in a reflective housing is located. Along the edge there were combined parking lights signal/brake signal. Also on the edge of the car, side marker LED lamps in a reflective housing found their place on the car. All this gives the roadster more dynamism. Thanks to the small size of the car, it was possible to minimize the weight and increase the maneuverability of the roadster.
Dimensions
Despite the fact that the wheelbase remained the same (2,400 mm), the body itself became smaller by 16 mm (it used to be 4,133, and now 4,1117 mm). The height of the car has grown by 18 mm (it used to be 1,270, and now it is 1,288 mm). The width of the machine is 1,750 mm. The wheels are no longer installed with a diameter of 16 inches, but 17 with branded tires from the world famous company Bridgestone RE-050.
Interior
If we talk about the interior of the Honda S2000, then minor changes have been made. For example, the first generation of the car had red seats, but now they are painted in a combined color (red and black). A chrome insert has found its place on the centrally mounted console. Previously there was an outdated audio system, now it has been replaced with a newer, more progressive one. These changes also affected the climate system. The seat headrests received additional speakers, which gave the sound quality improved and listening became more comfortable, even with the roof open. When you find yourself behind the wheel of a Japanese Honda S2000, you feel the inherent spirit of a sports car. The cockpit only confirms this. This is also noticeable in the low seating position, high doors, central tunnel and minimalist interior of the sports car.
When designing the interior design, the company's design staff sought to reflect a real sporty style. This is noticeable in the simple, clean lines, the digital instrument panel that is installed on racing cars, the control levers located near the steering wheel - all this seems to remind you of the world of competition and speed. In creating the semi-circular digital instrument panel, the engineering team was inspired by images of the prestigious Formula 1 racing. Until the ignition is turned on, the instrument panel is a dark space, but is illuminated with orange light as soon as the key is turned in the ignition. The range of the engine speed sensor is numbered up to 10,000 rpm, and the red zone is located in the range from 9,000 – 10,000. Near the steering wheel, a red “Engine Start” button has found its place, which starts the power unit of the car. The seats have a comfortable anatomical shape and well-developed support with built-in headrests that follow the shape of the contours of individual safety bars. These seats can firmly hold the passengers sitting on them even during steep maneuvers. As a choice, the buyer will have two interior colors available – red and black.
Special attention was paid to the quality of the materials used for the upholstery of panels and seats inside the car. Understanding that the interior of the car with the roof open would be exposed to the sun, finishing materials were used taking into account their resistance to ultraviolet radiation. There is also a new compartment for storing small items between the seats and a pair of cup holders, which can be closed using a sliding lid. On the steering wheel there is the well-known corporate emblem of the Japanese company. The updated panel also made it possible to set the clock. As a separate option, you can install a hard top, which will allow you to escape the cold in winter. The size of the luggage compartment is not so large and equals only 152 liters of usable space, but do not forget for what reason and why they buy cars of this class.
Specifications
Such a strong power unit consumes about 14 liters of fuel. At low tachometer values, the pickup is not surprising, but everything changes after the needle reaches values from 4,000 to 9,000 rpm. Options with automatic transmission gear shifting was not provided. Almost flawless handling is provided by the presence of widely spaced wheels, a rigid body and system operation directional stability. It is worth noting that at first you will have to get used to the lightning-fast steering, where the reaction is very fast. Thanks to the update, the 2.0-liter power unit was discontinued and replaced by an improved 2.2-liter gasoline engine. It has 237 or 242 horsepower. The old 6-speed manual gearbox was also slightly changed - its first 4 gears were made shorter, which made it possible to accelerate the car faster, and the last two were lengthened.
After the update, the rear suspension was reconfigured, adding rigidity, which improved the behavior of the car, which began to drive more predictably when turning sharply. The basis was a strong, but at the same time lightweight, X-shaped aluminum frame built into the body. There is an independent suspension in front and behind - a two-lever and multi-lever system. The steering is controlled by a built-in electric power steering with a disc brake system on all wheels (ventilated front), which are equipped with an ABS system.
Crash test Honda S2000
Price and options
In 2004, the Honda S2000 was slightly modified. The changes mainly affected the interior of the already magnificent appearance. As for the cost, this vehicle with low mileage (up to 50 thousand) can be purchased today for 25-30 thousand US dollars.
Pros and cons of the Honda S2000
The advantages are:
- Pleasant appearance of the car;
- Stylish but at the same time sporty lines;
- Application of LED lamps;
- Wide and large wheels;
- Possibility to fold and open the roof;
- Stylish and sporty interior;
- Improved quality of materials used;
- Sporty, comfortable seats with good lateral support;
- Interesting dashboard;
- Strong power units;
- Good gearbox;
- Build quality;
- High speed motor.
Disadvantages of the following plan:
- The interior is becoming a little dated over time, given the adoption of modern trends in recent cars;
- Small luggage compartment volume;
- Tall people will not be very comfortable;
- Cost of the car.
Let's sum it up
In the end, I would like to say that despite the small-scale update, the Honda S2000 has become better. This affected primarily the exterior of the car; some sharp lines appeared, new light-amplifying equipment appeared, and both bumpers changed. The inside is also much better. This affected the quality of the materials used and the quality of the assembly itself. The dashboard has become more pleasant to look at, and the seats have good lateral support and a confident shape with working headrests. The engine has now become more powerful, but consumption has not affected it much. It is also practical and does its job well. A new redesigned manual gearbox allows for faster acceleration.
A good suspension does not cause any complaints, but steering will allow you to fully control the situation on the road. The Honda S2000 is still designed for two people and has little luggage compartment. However, we should not forget for what purpose this car was created - it is a sporty character with elegant practicality and comfort. This car takes its rightful place in the line of Japanese cars.
Honda S2000 photo
Here is another “samurai” from the mid-2000s on my test. Like , the Honda roadster fought alone (someone will remember the Toyota MR2, but this is a different league) against hordes of European competitors. For some time, the model was even available for order from Russian dealers of the brand. Our price for the S2000 in 2003 was about $55,000. Cheaper, of course, than or. On the other hand, Russians are not used to purchasing an impractical car of a “national” brand for a price, and sales of new roadsters amounted to dozens.
“Gray” imports were a little more vigorous, especially since the car was famous among the people. His appearance in several films played a significant role. It must be said that Honda looked equally good as the car of the main villain in “The Fast and the Furious” and as the four-wheeled accessory of a glamorous bitch in “Heartbreakers.”
In person, the roadster incomprehensibly combines classic proportions with a design that has never become outdated to this day. The silhouette of the body with an elongated front end and a slightly inclined windshield is another variation on the theme of classic English sports cars of the 60s, beloved by the Japanese. Narrowed optics, taillights in the Lexus IS style and a double-barreled muffler are a tribute to the fashion of the early 2000s.
Bright Blue colour, chic 18-inch “shoes”, a “leaky” hood and a trunk made of unpainted carbon fiber are attributes of tuning. Nowadays, finding a stock S2000 is not an easy task. How to find a car with neat modifications that do not distort the whole essence of the Japanese masterpiece. It seems that I succeeded. Everything together looks harmonious and relevant even now. You can’t compare it with the S2000’s contemporaries, which in any case you look at through the prism of nostalgia and respect for past achievements.
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Inside
With a minimal number of buttons and switches, the Roadster's interior doesn't look like something out of the '90s. The feeling that you find yourself in a modern car basic configuration, where the owner decided not to pay extra for a multimedia system with an analogue of iDrive. But design was secondary during development, a trivial task was being solved - “to leave only the essentials for an active drive.”1 / 4
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The Japanese decided that hard seats with integrated headrests, a small three-spoke steering wheel and a manual lever with a metal knob were enough for this. The eye catches only the red engine start button to the left of the steering wheel and the digital instrument panel. Even the radio is shyly hidden behind a metallic panel with the model index (hello Audi TT!). A number of additional tuning devices only completes the picture of racing minimalism.
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You can't fault the build quality. By the way, roadsters were not assembled conveyor method– a significant part of the operations was carried out at individual work stations. Ergonomically, everything is verified to a solid “five”. Even with a complete lack of steering wheel adjustment, finding the optimal fit is not a problem.
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Practicality was clearly not a priority, so the door pockets are only a token, but there are two lockable glove compartments between the seats. The trunk volume is only 160 liters. It’s good that things didn’t come to extreme asceticism, and the Japanese left the necessary set of electric drives, air conditioning and, most importantly, an automatically retractable roof. At one time, the S2000 mechanism was a champion in performance. The roof of the roadster folds in 6 seconds... Let it stay there, because it's time for us to go for a walk.
In move
But before you turn the ignition key and press the inviting red “Start” button, I suggest you savor specifications Japanese In this regard, the S2000 is true to the classics. Rear-wheel drive, low center of gravity and front-engine layout with the engine moved behind the front axle to achieve ideal weight distribution. It sounds great, although there is nothing new here - the recipe has been known for a long time.
But Honda is not used to building ordinary sports cars. The S2000 has an ace up its sleeve. More precisely, under the hood. Meet the F22C1 – one of the most souped-up production aspirated cars in history. Without any turbines, supercharging or electric motors, with a volume of 2.2 liters, the engine produces 243 purebred naturally-aspirated “horses”. This could not have happened, of course, without Honda’s proprietary i-VTEC system, which here regulates both the phases and the valve lift height.
Now you can go... But you won’t be able to relax. Do you want an active drive? Kindly click the passes as often as possible. The short-throw lever of the six-speed manual transmission with a cooling metal knob will help you. After all, the engine truly “comes to life” where other engines have long been in the red zone - after 7,000 the fun begins. Don’t be shy, don’t be afraid, don’t spare the engine - and then you’ll have everything: a sea of power, an avalanche of torque, and an absolutely amazing soundtrack. The owner says that the handling of the restyled model (which is exactly what we have in our hands) has been made much more of a compromise compared to the original. The steering wheel is lighter, the reactions to too sudden movements with the steering wheel are softer. Well, that’s probably all true, but after a “civilian” car, Honda feels like the most dangerous beast. It’s easy to get into a skid: I rev the throttle sharply, turn sharply, sharply let off the gas... Phew, I probably wouldn’t actively drive it without training on the track. By the way, largely due to the “heavy” nature of the chassis, it is almost impossible to find an S2000 that has not been in an accident.
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You can forget about acoustic comfort with the roof down after a speed of 60 kilometers per hour. The wind is blowing, and I'm scalding! If you want to hear what the passenger is shouting at you, stop. With the top up, interestingly, there is even more noise. For those who like to listen not only to the duet of the engine and exhaust, as well as aesthetes who do not accept the appearance of a fabric hood, a hardtop was offered for an additional fee. But with or without it, fans remembered the S2000 exactly like this - compact, nimble, overpowered and ready to fray the nerves of eminent Europeans at any moment.
Purchase history
“Our” Japanese roadster has an interesting fate. The restyled model of 2004 spent most of its life in Ufa. The then gray S2000 arrived in Bashkiria in 2008 straight from Texas with a mileage of 5 thousand kilometers and perfect condition. The first owner owned the car for 4 years. I drove a little and carefully, but once I gave my favorite toy into inexperienced hands, something terrible happened. The accident was not serious, the roadster was restored, simultaneously replacing grey colour changed to a blue color scheme, and... laid up for almost two years.
In 2012, the roadster changed its owner, but not its registration. The next owner approached the issue of ownership as responsibly as possible. Firstly, the Honda was repainted again, this time in a bright blue color, at the same time correcting the shortcomings of the previous paint job. Secondly, the technical shortcomings that are inevitable when operating a sports car in Russian conditions were eliminated, and numerous tuning features were added:
- Seibon Carbon hood and trunk
- lip front bumper from the Club Racer version
- coil suspension BC Racing
- upper struts (front/rear) Ultra Racing
- Ultra Racing six-point subframe reinforcement
- spacer instead of Invidia catalyst 70 mm
- catback Feel"s by Honda
- Veilside carbon lip spoiler
- new power steering and subwoofer in the trunk
I wanted to buy it for a long time, but something always stopped me. And so, one fine day, having killed a green toad and not listening to my wife cursing me, I decided that if not now, then never again, I got on the plane and flew after her...
Nikolay, owner
Repair
Work on the roadster began almost immediately after the car arrived on a car transporter in St. Petersburg. Besides the banal replacement of small things like steering ends, there were more interesting tasks. The first owner, in the process of recovering from an accident, installed front optics from the Japanese version of the S2000, which frankly shined in a completely different direction than our native technical regulations indicate. Everything was fixed using Hella components. It turned out even better than the standard version.
The next step was modification multimedia system. The non-original radio tape recorder completely refused to carry out commands from the control panel located to the left of the steering wheel. Having purchased the necessary electronic unit, Nikolay returned all standard capabilities to the system.
Tuning
The roadster was primarily built with a “ring” in mind. Corresponding list of improvements:- set of Proma front brakes (6-piston calipers TM 6.355, composite brake discs 330×32 mm, adapters, reinforced Goodridge hose)
- brake pads Ferodo Racing DS2500 "in a circle"
- engine radiator with new fans, additional oil cooler and Mishimoto hoses, anti-drip plate welded into the oil pan
- Spoon Sports reinforced clutch hose
- Ingalls Engineering engine damper
- tires Dunlop Direzza Z2 Star Spec 225/45 front, 255/40 rear
- wheels RAYS CE28N R17
- additional Defi sensors (oil pressure, fuel pressure, oil temperature, coolant temperature, exhaust temperature, intake manifold vacuum)
Exploitation
Mileage for this moment is 54 thousand kilometers. Operation around the city is naturally gentle. Nikolai tries to splash out all the adrenaline on the race track, where Honda feels like a fish in water.Expenses:
- OSAGO – 12,000 rubles
- Maintenance – with oil change every 5,000 km – 10,000 rubles. Idemitsu oil Zepro Racing 5W-40 SN
- care kit soft roof Renovo (enough for two times) – 4,000 rubles
- fuel consumption in the urban cycle – 25 l/100 km
- fuel consumption on the highway – 10 l/100 km
- fuel consumption in the combined cycle – 13 l/100 km with dynamic driving
- gasoline – AI-98
Plans
The immediate plans include replacing the front bumper, which was not very well restored after an accident, changing the location for mounting the rear license plate and replacing the elements of the rear-view mirrors with analogues from the European version.Model history
Honda decided to celebrate its half-century anniversary by releasing a new uncompromising sports car that would be a worthy companion to the flagship NSX. They began to prepare the gift ahead of time, and in 1995 the SSM (Sport Study Model) concept car was presented. The rear-wheel drive roadster with a fabric roof, equipped with a petrol two-liter “four,” caught the fancy of the public, and the model was given the green light. The serial version appeared in 1999. Roadster kept everything technical features prototype, but the exterior was redesigned by designer Shigeru Uehara. The new product received the name S2000 for a reason. Thus, the historical connection with the Honda roadsters of the 60s – S500, S600 and S800 – was emphasized. The first generation, which received the factory designation "AP1", rolled off the assembly line at the Takanezawa plant. The roadster was powered by a two-liter naturally aspirated petrol engine with a phenomenal level of boost. It was possible to extract about 125 hp from a liter of working volume without any supercharging. The power of the record-breaking engine was 237-250 hp. depending on the sales market. The sports car was equipped exclusively with a six-speed manual transmission. Acceleration to “hundreds” was 6.2 seconds.
Model description
The Honda S2000 is a sports roadster that was produced from 1999 to 2009. The first generation (AP1) was produced until 2003, and from 2003 to 2009 the AP2 version was produced, which was a regular restyling.
Competitors of the Honda S2000: BMW Z4, Mazda MX-5/Miata, Mercedes-Benz SLK, Audi TT, Porsche Boxster and a number of other similar roadsters.
A roadster that had to compete with the best in its class needed to have something special, something that could surprise buyers and make them spend their hard-earned money. It was an S2000 - F20C engine. Everyone has heard about Honda's success in the field of high output from 1 liter of displacement, but here the engineers outdid themselves and got 125 hp. from 1 liter. Since the car has two of these liters, the power reached 250 hp. Unfortunately, this engine was only available on the S2000 for the Japanese market; the rest of the world was supplied with vegetable 240-horsepower versions.
The restyling (S2000 AP2) used the same engines, but a 2.2-liter 240-horsepower F22C engine was created for the North American market. Unlike the high-revving F20C, which revved to 8,900 rpm, the F22C had a redline at 8,100 rpm.
You can learn more about these legendary engines below by selecting the S2000 model you're interested in. Here are the characteristics, problems of these engines and their causes, what kind of oil to pour and its volume. And also, engine tuning, we will tell you how to raise the already considerable power to even greater heights.
