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Honda S2000
Overview
Manufacturer	Honda
Production	1999—present
Body and chassis
Class	Roadster
Body style	2-door convertible
Layout	FR layout
Chronology
Predecessor	Honda S800

The Honda S2000 is a roadster manufactured by the Japanese automaker Honda Motor Company since April 1999. The car was created to celebrate the company's 50th anniversary, and continues in the tradition of lightweight roadster "S" cars such as the S600 and S800. Like previous S cars, the name of the S2000 comes from its engine displacement of approximately 2000 cc (although Honda would later introduce a 2200 cc model only in USA, retaining the S2000 name).

Design and Construction

Continuing in the tradition of its predecessors, the S2000 is rear wheel driven, with power being delivered via a Torsen limited slip differential mated to a six-speed manual transmission.

The car is constructed using an X-bone monocoque frame which is extremely rigid, thus improving handling, road noise, and steering feel and feedback. Other features include double wishbone suspension, electronically-assisted steering, integrated roll hoops and an electrically powered canvas top that takes 6 seconds to operate, touted as the fastest opening top among all convertibles.

Models

The car was originally launched in 1999 as a 2000 model, and was sold through to 2002. It featured 16" wheels with Bridgestone Potenza S-02 tyres.

The 2001 model saw new rear spring rates and modified rear dampers. 2002 featured another revised suspension set up and the introduction of a glass rear windscreen, replacing the plastic one featured in cars built from 1999. It maintained the same looks on the outside and the same wheels.

From its inception in 1999 to 2003, S2000s were manufactured at Honda's Tochigi Takanezawa plant, alongside the Honda NSX supercar and Honda Insight hybrid.

The 2004 model introduced newly designed 17" wheels and Bridgestone RE-050 tyres along with a retuned suspension that reduced the car's tendency to oversteer. The spring rates and shock absorber damping were altered and the suspension geometry modified to improve stability, by causing toe-in under cornering loads. In addition, cosmetic changes were made to the exterior with new front and rear bumpers, revised headlight assemblies, new LED tail-lights, and oval-tipped exhausts. The 2.0 L engine was also revised, with its redline reduced to 8,200 rpm. At the same time, Honda introduced a 2.2 L variant to the North American market. Also for 2004, production moved to Honda's Suzuka plant.

The 2006 model introduced a drive by wire throttle and a Vehicle Stability Assist system. Interior changes included revised seats, additional stereo speakers integrated into the headrests, and additional headrest padding where previous seats had helmet depressions and screens. The 2.2 L engine was also introduced to the Japanese market during this time.

The 2007 model remains unchanged except for two exterior colors that have been dropped, Suzuka Blue and Sebring Silver. Grand Prix White is available with a black/red interior for 2007.

Powertrain

The first S2000s (2000 to 2003 models) came equipped with a 2.0 L (1997 cc) F20C inline 4 cylinder engine producing 240 hp (179 kW) at 8,300 rpm and 153 ft·lbf (208 Nm) of torque at 7,500 rpm, though the Japanese models were quoted with 250 PS (184 kW, 247 hp) due to a small difference in engine compression ratio.

Because of its high-revving nature (9,000 rpm redline for the 2000 to 2003 models and 8,200 rpm for the 2004 model onwards), it is one of the few naturally-aspirated engines to produce over 100 hp/L. The compact and lightweight engine, mounted entirely behind the front axle, allowed the S2000 to obtain a better front/rear weight balance and lower rotational inertia than would have been possible if the engine had not been so-mounted.

Following criticism about a lack of low-end torque, Honda introduced a variant of the F20C engine to the North American market in 2004. Designated F22C1, the stroke of the motor was lengthened, increasing the displacement to 2.2 L. As a result, the redline was reduced to 8,200 rpm (mandated by the longer travel distance of the pistons). Peak torque was increased by 6% to 162 ft·lbf at 6200 rpm, and the F22C1 was quoted by Honda as having more torque at lower rpm than the F20C, although officially the power output remains the same between the two engines. Initially, the F22C1 was intended only for the North American market, but it was also introduced to Japan in 2006 with specified power of 242 PS (178 kW, 239 hp).

At the same time as introducing the F22C1, Honda also changed the transmission gear ratios, by shortening the first four gears and lengthening the last two. Another change was the inclusion of a clutch release delay valve to improve drivetrain longevity by reducing shock loads.

Fuel economy

The official fuel economy figures for the 2006 Honda S2000 produced by the United States EPA are as follows:

• Fuel Type: Premium Unleaded
• City: 20 miles per US gallon (MPG)
• Highway: 26 MPG
• Combined: 22 MPG

Awards

• The S2000 was on Car and Driver's Ten Best list for 2000 through 2002 and 2004.
• The S2000 was the highest-ranked model in the J.D. Power and Associates Vehicle Dependability Study "Premium Sports Car" class for 2004 and 2006, and has consistently held one of the top three positions.
• The F20C engine won the International Engine of the Year award in the "1.8 to 2 litre" size category for five years from 2000 through 2004.
• The F20C was featured on Ward's 10 Best Engines list for 2000 and 2001.
• The S2000 ranked number #1 in a BBC Top Gear survey in 2004 and 2005.

Reviews and criticism

The S2000 has received much praise from critics and motoring journalists and has received favourable reviews from publications like Car and Driver, Car magazine, the Los Angeles Times and Road & Track magazine. Among the features highlighted include the high output of the engine, the 9,000 rpm redline, the balanced handling, and the smooth gearbox.

The S2000 was also criticized for its performance and handling characteristics. The original 2000 cc engine, although having a high output for its size, had a relatively steep torque curve, with only 60% of the engine's maximum 153 ft·lbf (207 Nm) available at 1000 rpm. This led to criticism of the power delivery, particularly the lack of low-rpm torque. In addition, the low gearing meant that the engine revved at relatively high rpm at motorway cruising speeds (18.3 mph per 1000 rpm). The handling and roadholding of the car was also criticised, in particular a tendency for sudden oversteer in low-traction conditions.

The 2004 model, with its 2200 cc engine, and revised gearbox and chassis configuration, largely addressed these concerns, but drew criticism from fans of the original 2000 cc model because of its reduced redline and "tamer" handling.

Sales

The largest market for S2000 worldwide is North America. The table below shows units sold by American Honda through 2005. Through July of 2006, 4,288 units were sold, compared to 4,989 sold through July in 2005. In addition, Honda sells an average of 2,500 and 1,000 S2000's annually in Europe and Japan, respectively.

References

1. "Gaining New Insight Into Aluminum Body Production". insightman.com. Retrieved 19 September. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
2. "2004 Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS)". J.D. Power. Retrieved 19 September. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
3. "2006 Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS)". J.D. Power. Retrieved 19 September. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
4. ^ "Honda S2000". Car and Driver. Retrieved 19 September. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
5. "Honda S2000". CAR Magazine. Retrieved 19 September. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
6. ^ "S2000 Press Pack". Honda UK Media. Retrieved 19 September. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
7. ^ Justin Couture. "2004 Honda S2000 Overview". Carpages. Retrieved 19 September. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
8. Richard Ricardo. "2004 Honda S2000 Roadtest". Sport Compact Car. Retrieved 19 September. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
9. "Monthly Sales Reports". Honda News. Retrieved 19 September. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)

External links

• S2000 US Official Site
• North American Honda S2000 Owners Club
• Worldwide Honda S2000 Owners Club

• Honda vehicles
• Roadsters
• Rear wheel drive vehicles
• Sports cars
• 2000s automobiles