Long discussed and desired, the return of Honda S2000 it has been successively promised and denied. Now, there seems to be a “light at the end of the tunnel” for all who yearn for the return of the famous Japanese roadster.
According to “Forbes” magazine, a source within the Japanese brand has revealed that Honda's marketing team will be studying the feasibility of returning the S2000, trying to understand if there is still a market for a model with its characteristics.
According to this source, if it happens, the new Honda S2000 will remain quite faithful to the basic concept of the original: the same architecture (front longitudinal engine and rear wheel drive), compact dimensions (the original was 4.1 m long and 1 .75 m wide), two seats, and a relatively low weight.
According to Forbes, a relatively low weight translates into less than 3000 lbs (pounds), that is, less than 1360 kg, a reasonable value for today, considering the required safety levels. Still, to reach that weight goal, Honda will often have to rely on aluminum and even carbon fiber for the new S2000.
Motor? Probably turbo
One of the hallmarks of the previous S2000 was its naturally aspirated four-cylinder F20C, capable of doing more than 8000 rpm — other times… A new S2000 happening, according to the Forbes source, will be the engine of the Civic Type R, the K20C — 2.0 l turbo, 320 hp and 400 Nm — the most likely candidate to equip it. It will require some adaptations, as the engine on the Civic Type R is positioned transversely to the front, while on the S2000 the engine will rotate 90° to be positioned longitudinally.320 hp is a considerable leap from the original's 240 hp, but this source indicates that the final value could even rise to 350 hp!
Is it even possible?
Interestingly, this hypothesis seems to be contrary to the philosophy that Honda is adopting, opting, for example, to electrify its range in Europe. Furthermore, as late as 2018, Honda's senior manager for product planning in Canada, Hayato Mori, stated that market research had revealed that there was not enough demand for a model like the S2000 and that it would be impossible to profit from a model with those. characteristics.
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On the part of Honda CEO Takahiro Hachigo, in 2017, the possibility of the return of the S2000 seemed less remote, but no less difficult, with the latter saying that it was not time to “resurrect” the iconic model.
At the time, Honda's CEO stated: ““All over the world more and more voices have expressed the desire to reinvent the S2000. The time is not yet. We need time to decide whether the S2000 is reinvented or not. If the marketing team investigates and sees that it's worth it, then maybe that's possible.”
That said, will Honda consider that in 2024 it's time to bring back the beloved roadster? Could this one emerge electrified as it looks like it will with the next Civic Type R? What do you think? Would you like to see it back on the road or would you prefer it to remain in the history books?
Sources: Forbes, Auto Motor und Sport, Motor1.