HONDA S2000 - The driving experience

Lifting the aluminium bonnet of the HONDA S2000 provides the first insight into its unique character, revealing a powerplant pushed to the very back of the engine bay in the quest for a low centre of gravity and an optimum 50:50 weight balance.

A red and black crackle-finished cam cover bearing the legend DOHC VTEC in machined lettering hints at its engineering precision.

240 PS at 8,300 rpm, in the lightweight HONDA S2000 equates to an outstanding 0.19 PS/kg power to weight ratio, and on the road this translates into outstanding performance. Acceleration from 0 to 62 mph takes just 6.2 seconds, from standstill 400 m is reached in only 14.5 seconds, while top speed is 150 mph.

While the basic engine sound is a smooth tenor, as engine speed builds the note changes progressively to add to the core emotional appeal of the HONDA S2000, echoing Honda's decades of involvement with high-revving Formula 1 and CART ChampCar race engines.

While the HONDA S2000's high revving engine gives it its irrepressibly sporty feel and unique character, reverting to relaxed, leisurely driving is also eminently possible thanks to the latest generation VTEC system and finely tuned engine breathing.



A chassis to match

HONDA S2000's performance capability demands a competent chassis to harness and efficiently exploit that power on the road, and an immensely rigid body, advanced in-wheel double wishbone suspension, low centre of gravity and good weight balance are complemented by communicative steering, and powerful, progressive brakes.

From the outset the company worked to provide the HONDA S2000 with a low yaw moment of inertia by placing as much weight as possible close to the centre of the vehicle for quicker, more linear steering and responsive handling, in all speed ranges.

HONDA S2000's compact engine is mounted deep within the car and behind the front axle line, while comparatively lightweight components, including the aluminium radiator and plastic engine air intake ducting lie ahead of the engine. Similarly the fuel tank lies over the rear axle, with only the exhaust pipe finishers and silencers beyond the rear wheels. Compact dimensions, relatively long wheelbase and wide track enhance agility.


An optimum driving position

Even the positioning of the driver and passenger has been carefully considered in order to provide high levels of concise, accurate feedback. Occupants sit behind the car's overall centre of balance, and close to the centre of the rear axle; this pivotal positioning, combined with the 50:50 weight distribution gives the driver a feeling of being closely connected to the car.

HONDA S2000 proposition naturally includes a sports-orientated car interior: racecar-like drilled aluminium pedals, short, stubby gearlever, small leather-trimmed steering wheel, F1-influenced digital tachometer and speedometer, low seating position with high centre tunnel to create a cockpit-like ambience, highly supportive seats and, the piece de resistance, a red push-button starter mounted on the facia. Thanks to careful aerodynamic tuning of the cabin plus an optional wind deflector between the seats, turbulence is kept to a minimum during top-down motoring.

previous page | go to page 4