Honda S2000

Honda
Honda S2000 (1999-2004)
S2000
Production period:	1999-2009
Class :	Sports car
Body versions :	Roadster
Engines:	Otto engine : 2.0 liters (177 kW)
Length:	4135 mm
Width:	1750 mm
Height:	1270-1285 mm
Wheelbase :	2400 mm
Empty weight :	1260-1380 kg

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 project management of chief engineer Shigeru Uehara, who was also responsible for the Honda NSX . The first model (code AP1 ) came on the market in 1999 and was hardly changed until 2009; first in the Tochigi production facility (originally built for the Honda NSX), later in Suzuka . In January 2009, Honda announced that production would cease in June of that year.

Development and introduction

Honda S2000 (2004-2009)

Rear view

S2000 with the roof closed

inner space

Cockpit view of a right-hand drive

S2000 type S

The predecessor of the S2000 was the SSM (Sports Study Model) study, which was presented for the first time on October 18, 1995 at the 31st Tokyo Motor Show . The basic concept essentially corresponded to the Honda S800 in modern form, that is, with a longitudinal engine and rear-wheel drive. Like the NSX, this prototype had a self-supporting body. The headlights were placed at the height of the radiator grille and the cockpit was built around the driver. A central spar on the cockpit side and the use of a rigid aluminum auxiliary frame increased the overall stability considerably. A 2.0 liter 4-cylinder DOHC VTEC with 147 kW (200 PS) and a new, electronically controlled sequential five-speed automatic transmission, which was derived from the F-matic system of the NSX, was installed. To emphasize the mix of traditional and new in the SSM, the instrument panel had taken the form of a multifunctional LC display. The credit card-style ignition switch was complemented by a push-button starter.

With its light gold color, the SSM was reminiscent of the first Honda Formula 1 prototype constructed in 1963 , which was kept in the same color. In 1996 the slightly revised, now red study was presented at the Geneva Motor Show and the Mondial de l'Automobile in Paris. It was only shown at the IAA in Frankfurt in 1997 and at the Detroit Motor Show in 1998 .

The S2000 was first presented at the Detroit Motor Show in January 1999. It was voted Convertible of the Year by 17 automotive journalists from ten countries at the Geneva International Motor Show that same year.

Model history

Since its market launch in Germany in 2000, the Honda S2000 has only been available with one engine, a high-revving four-cylinder naturally aspirated engine with 177 kW (241 hp) from a displacement of 1997 cc. This engine won the International Engine of the Year Award in the 1.8 to 2.0 liter class for five years in a row from 2000 to 2004 . Since the S2000 should also serve to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Honda company, a very high level of constructive effort was made. Here, too, the S2000 was reminiscent of the early rear-wheel drive Honda S600 and Honda S800 from the 1960s.

The entire construction of the engine was unusually compact because its small dimensions improved its suitability for high speeds. This also included the short-stroke design in order to achieve a short, stiff crankshaft suitable for high speeds. Very thin-walled cylinder liners made from a fiber-metal matrix material reduce the overall length of the engine.

Since the entire production of the S2000 took place in a workshop specially built for the special models NSX, S2000 and Insight, the assembly of the engine was also very costly. The engines were assembled by hand and provided with numerous hand-polished and hand-adapted components, such as the intake ducts.

The S2000 achieves its high specific output through high speeds. The rev limiter only kicks in at over 9,000 rpm, which is unusually high for a street-legal automobile. At its rated output and rated speed (177 kW / 240 PS at 8300 rpm), the engine achieves an average piston speed of 23.2 m / s. This was made possible u. a. through the use of pistons with a molybdenum disulfide coating.

Despite its high performance, the engine of the S2000 was classified as ULEV (Ultra Low Emission Vehicle) in California, the best classification possible for internal combustion engines.

In a series of tests by the magazine auto motor und sport , an S2000 was refueled one after the other with the fuel types Super Plus (98 RON), Super (95 RON) and Normal (92 RON) and the performance was measured on a test bench. It was shown that the engine output was exactly identical for all three types of fuel except for the first decimal place. This was seen as an excellent testimonial for the design and engine management.

This S2000 took 10th place in the 24-hour race on the Nürburgring in 2003 (IAA 2005)

Its body , which is unusually torsion-resistant for a roadster , also made the car interesting for racing applications. The Honda S2000 achieved several class wins in the endurance cup and a 10th place in the overall ranking of the 2003 24-hour race at the Nürburgring . Since 2005 there has been its own Honda S2000 Brands Cup as part of the Endurance Championship (VLN).

Since the 2004 model year there are specially designed for the American market a new 2.2-liter engine, which according to Honda USA 237 hp by SAE directive makes and higher torque , while lowering the maximum speed of 8,000 min ^-1 features; also via a "throttle-by-wire" system (electronically controlled throttle valve , see also drive-by-wire ) and a modified gear ratio .

Since the very compact design of the engine did not allow the displacement to be increased via an enlarged bore, the increase in displacement was achieved by extending the piston stroke. In order to keep the piston speed within reasonable limits, the speed was limited compared to the original version; Nevertheless, the mean piston speed at maximum speed is over 24 m / s, which, like the smaller engine, is an extraordinarily high value for a series-production automobile. The stricter emissions and noise regulations in some US states (especially California) made this necessary. Later this engine was also introduced on the Japanese market, but not on the European market.

From 2002 the S2000 received its first small facelift. The modernized headlights and the glass rear window are the clearest features. In 2004 there was a major facelift on the front and rear as well as the interior.

In the 2006 model year, the German model also received the “Throttle-by-Wire” system, combined with the Honda ESP version VSA (Vehicle Stability Assist) . Before that, ESP was not available for an additional charge. This defused the driving behavior, which had previously always been criticized as difficult to control, with a rear that tends to break away unexpectedly. In addition, from this model year onwards there were changed seats, tweeter speakers in the roll bar, an outside temperature display and slightly modified aluminum rims.

For the 2007 model year, the S2000 Type S appeared on the Japanese market with front, rear and underbody spoilers, sportier chassis and two-tone seats (black / gold). With an empty weight of 1260 kg, it was 60 kg lighter than the German normal version.

In January 2009, Honda announced that production of the S2000 would end in June with the 2009 model year after ten years. By the end of 2008, around 110,000 copies had been sold, around 65,000 of them in the United States. Around 4,500 copies were sold in Germany up to 2009.

Technical specifications

Honda:	S2000
Motor type:	In-line four-cylinder, 16 valves via two overhead camshafts ( DOHC ), variable valve control VTEC
Displacement:	1997 cc
Power:	177 kW (241 hp) at 8300 min -1
Torque:	208 Nm at 7500 min -1
Top speed:	240 km / h (according to registration certificate Part I)
0-100 km / h:	6.2 s
Consumption per 100 km:	10.0 l Super Plus unleaded 98 RON
Weight:	1260-1380 kg

New registrations in Germany

The annual new registrations of Honda S2000 in Germany are listed according to statistics from the Federal Motor Transport Authority .

year	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010
number	159	1,478	745	686	441	286	229	211	149	94	64	8th

Web links

Commons : Honda S2000  - Collection of pictures, videos and audio files

• Concept, technology and 3D view of the S2000 (on honda.com)
• Press release about the end of production

Individual evidence

1. ↑ "Production of the Honda S2000 will be discontinued" ( sport auto online on January 26, 2009)
2. ↑ Honda S2000 gearshift rear wheel 6-speed 2-door Roadster 240 HP wheelbase 2405 mm Super Plus | Sports car. (No longer available online.) Sportauto-online.de , formerly in the original ; Retrieved August 18, 2010 .  ( Page no longer available , search in web archives )  Info: The link was automatically marked as defective. Please check the link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.    
3. ↑ ^{a b} Segmentation of passenger cars 1999/2000. (PDF) Federal Motor Transport Authority, archived from the original on November 24, 2005 ; accessed on May 13, 2015 . 
4. ↑ Segmentation of passenger cars December 2001 (PDF; 89 kB) Federal Motor Transport Authority, accessed on May 13, 2015 . 
5. ↑ New registrations of passenger cars by segment and type group as well as with diesel drive in December 2002. (PDF; 108 kB) Federal Motor Transport Authority, accessed on May 13, 2015 . 
6. ↑ New registrations of passenger cars by segment and type group as well as with diesel drive in December 2003. (PDF; 115 kB) Federal Motor Transport Authority, accessed on May 13, 2015 . 
7. ↑ New registrations of passenger cars by segment and model series in December 2004. (PDF; 108 kB) Federal Motor Transport Authority, accessed on May 13, 2015 . 
8. ↑ New registrations of passenger cars by segment and model series in December 2005. (PDF; 141 kB) Federal Motor Transport Authority, accessed on May 13, 2015 . 
9. ↑ New registrations of passenger cars by segment and model series in December 2006. (PDF; 177 kB) Federal Motor Transport Authority, accessed on May 13, 2015 . 
10. ↑ New registrations of passenger cars by segment and model series in December 2007. (PDF; 157 kB) Federal Motor Transport Authority, accessed on May 13, 2015 . 
11. ↑ New registrations of passenger cars by segment and model series in December 2008. (PDF; 280 kB) (No longer available online.) Federal Motor Transport Authority, archived from the original on May 31, 2014 ; accessed on May 13, 2015 . Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.  
12. ↑ New registrations of passenger cars by segment and model series in December 2009. (PDF; 355 kB) (No longer available online.) Federal Motor Transport Authority, archived from the original on February 14, 2015 ; accessed on May 13, 2015 . Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.  
13. ↑ New registrations of passenger cars by segment and model series in December 2010. (PDF; 2.0 MB) (No longer available online.) Federal Motor Transport Authority, archived from the original on May 31, 2014 ; accessed on May 13, 2015 . Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.