Japanese manufacturers, residents of the BLAND unit in the trauma ward that is the modern auto industry (for the most part), put out some huge and extremely popular sports cars in the 90's.
Toyota had the twin-turbo Supra; Mitsubishi had the 3000GT VR-4; Mazda had the twin-turbo RX-7 and Nissan had the twin-turbo 300ZX and Skyline GT-Rs. And Honda? Well, they tried to pick a fight with Ferrari with their naturally-aspirated V6-powered NSX, but as for the common man? That's where the SSM concept stepped in, foreshadowing the S2000 roadster.
Debut (Concept): Honda unveiled the SSM concept, which stands for Sports Study Model, at the 1995 Tokyo Motor Show.
Debut (Prototype ; Production): Following the presentation of a pre-production prototype in September 1998, Honda launched the S2000 onto the market in April 1999 in celebration of the firm's 50th anniversary.
Lost in translation: While keeping the basic shape of the SSM, the S2000's styling was less extravagant with Honda's designers eliminating/redesigning several elements such as the large rear diffuser, low-riding headlights, geometric rollover hoops and passenger compartment divider.
But we got to keep: The same basic front-engine/rear-wheel-drive, 2-seat roadster layout, the fancy push-button starter, rigidity-enhancing x-bone monocoque frame, and that 50/50 weight distribution.
And gained: A roof as the folding soft top came as standard with an aluminum hardtop offered optionally.
Fun fact: Similar to Audi's TT (depending on who you believe), the Honda S2000's nomenclature was pulled from the company's past: the S made it a modern-day successor to Honda's small roadsters of the 60's (S500, S600, S800), while the number represents the engine's displacement (until the updated AP2 generation upped the displacement for the NA-spec model from 1,997 cc to 2,157 cc while retaining the S2000 name).
Did you know? The S2000 roadster's 240PS 2.0-litre engine 9,000 rpm VTEC four-pot (2.2-liter for the North American model from 2004 and onwards) remains one of the highest output per liter and highest revving series production engines ever made
Sales: Since its introduction in 1999 and until June 2009, Honda sold more than 110,700 units of the S2000 worldwide with more than 65,000 making their way to the United States alone.
Where is it now? After ten years in production, the S2000 reached the end of its life last year with the last ever car rolling off the line at Suzuka, Japan in June 2009. Unfortunately, there's no replacement in sight.
By Phil Alex
Phil Alex was born in Rhode Island in 1985. He graduated with degrees in Finance and German from Wofford College in 2007 and has had an obsession with cars and travel. Currently he resides near Japan's international airport in Narita.
1995 HONDA SSM CONCEPT
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1999-2009 HONDA S2000 ROADSTER - EUROPEAN, JAPANESE and NORTH AMERICAN MODELS
15 Comments:
We miss the torqueless wonder.
one of the greatest cars ever, imo. little recognition, though. i know a few owners. all love their S2000's. little gems that make one smile. honda: bring back a revised or all new "like model" ASAP!
Well, they are rebuilding their name in the sports cars section, Nissan is already there with the 370Z, GT-R, Infiniti G37 Coupe and a possible new Silvia, a new RX-7 will arrive in about 2 years and the RX-8 witch is a pretty good car, Mitsubishi has the Eclipse witch was kinda neglected due the low sales and the company's financial problems (but it may be back in full force if they make the alliance with PSA) and the legendary Evo. Subaru is making it's own version of the FT-86, has the WRX STI and rumors said that a new SVX is the works. And Toyota is only beginning to be exciting with the IS-F, LFA and the FT-86. Honda is the one who looks hopeless, they made the CR-Z witch I can't tell yet how good it is, and they said they won't make the NSX, but really now, the SuperGT car is amazing, not producing it will be like sitting on 1 million tons of oil and not extracting it. We will see how Honda can shape up in the years to come.
way to go Fill...
10x
In reality, the the S2000 will never live up to its urban legend status. It was just like the Miata/MX5; good handling, but not all that fast. In fact, I prefer the MX-5 over the S2000 by a mile. It is a much better "roadster"/vehicle over all.
Very nice info & pictures. What you failed to mention though is that this car was initially designed by Pininfarina - something not to be overlooked I think. Also, I would say it was definitely based on an earlier concept, the Pininfarina Argento, which was shown at the 1995 Geneva Auto Salon (maybe other places, too).
Check out some pictures via Google here: http://tinyurl.com/yfgrw2c
Thanks for the visit with the departed S2000, a very sweet handling sports car that unfortunately had some rather obvious flaws/issue.
As mentioned before the lack of a wide band of torque made the daily city driving a chore. With a power band so narrow, gear selection was critical in a performance mode or the car fell on it's face.
I also had issue with the instrumentation. The analog and digital combination wasn't attractive in a the sense of a classic performance car layout. I never warmed up to it and heard many a negative comment from those who usually also made mention of the Miata's classic layout in comparison.
As regards; "highest output per liter and highest revving series production engines ever made"
That should read '_For a naturally aspirated_'
3Deuce27
^_ Additionally, that would be, and should read, 'Automobile engine'.
3Deuce27
This car is disgusting from the perspective of design. Honda can make so beautiful cars, such as Accord, Legend and Civic, and on the other side so ugly, such as this one. This is not good for the brand.
For me the S2000 is a beautiful car (the outside, the interior and the technical part) that has no competitors. The roadsters from other constructors are not as 'pure' as the S2000 and for me this is one of the key factors for 'a roadster'. I agree that the Miata is a very nice and good car (with a very good value for money) but the 'S' is just a step higher. A true S2000 driver doesn't mind swapping gears because it's a BIG part of the game and the S2000 gearshift is sensational. Until the Ferrari 458 the S had indeed the most horsepower/litre, now the Ferrari took over but I don't think it's gearshift is the same. Honda's are known for there superb gearchanges 'feelings' and the S is the ultimate example. Don't forget that it's already 10 years old and for me the design and technique is timeless and unique!
A quote of Jeremy Clarkson in Top Gear: "This is the essence of sportscar motoring, pure & simple"
Reading this article, as a Honda fanatic, I do have one minor thing to add. The production of the S2000 didn't end in June. They planned to end in June 2009 but when people heard that the production would stop (initially they planned to stop production after 2 years!) they received so many orders (mainly from Japan) that they continued the production until August 2009.
I was also one of the few who was able to go to the Suzuka plant and watch the production line of this already historic vehicle in July 2009. Images of this trip to Japan to watch 'the final production of the S2000' and other S2000 related places can be found via www.vjimages.be
Anyone who says the s2000 is hard to drive around the city is lazy or has never driven the car, and everyone saying the mx-5 is a better car stock for stock is crazy and also have never driven the s2000.
Concept was way hotter than production model that suffered from dorky econo headlights and just in general less atractive looks that in conclusion influenced poor sales of this otherwise technically superior model....
I own both the original miata and the s2000 and they are entirely different animals. The miata is a fun, easy-to-drive to the limit, daily cruiser while the s2000 is a more capable sports car which requires better shifting and control to master. There's nothing like reving to nearly 9000 rpm in the s2000 and trying to master staying in the powerband with this car. Sure, it would be way easier if we had a 6 cylinder in the car but part of fun in driving it is trying to master this car.
i could not ride my motorbike (bad knees)so looking for a car to replace it i drove most of the models mentiond above thay didnt come close i decided to get the s2k about 3 seconds after the vtec kicked in if you dont like it its becouse you just dont get it stick to driving your cardboard box
I have the 260th built in June 1999 White with red leather. Now done 80000kms Intended to be a weekend car but cant stop driving it. Will never sell it It will a classic. UK Classic and Sports Car reckons its a future classic. easy to drive cheap to service no more than my CRV.
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