Pedals of drilled aluminium and polished metal kickplates bearing the legend 'S2000 Honda manufactured by Honda Motor Co' in black provide added distinction to the interior.

Specific attention has been paid to the tactile quality of the car's interior surfaces to ensure they are satisfying to the touch, including the leather-trimmed steering wheel, aluminium gearshift knob and subtly-dimpled door pulls. Given that the interior could be exposed to strong sunlight for long periods while the top is down, the trim materials have been checked for susceptibility to degradation from ultra-violet light; they have also been selected for their resistance to the occasional rain shower that may be encountered before an opportunity can be found to raise the hood.

HONDA S2000 has newly developed, compact SRS airbags and seatbelt pretensioners as standard equipment, and the small, stowed size of the driver airbag allows for a sports-orientated steering wheel design with unobtrusive boss.


Digital read-out

In a reflection of the high-revving, high-tech nature of the engine, and taking inspiration from the world of Formula 1, the HONDA S2000 uses digital instrumentation in a single, semi-circular display which is black with the ignition off, but illuminates once the key is turned, providing perfect visibility through the three-spoke steering wheel.

The graphical tachometer is a semi-circular display arcing over the digital speedometer. It reads from 0 to 10,000 rpm as a curving bar, with the 0 to 9,000 rpm segment in orange and the final 9,000-10,000 rpm flashing red as the fuel cut-off intervenes to prevent over-revving. The digital speedometer features large orange numbers in the centre of the display reading up 160 mph, and either side of this are the water temperature and fuel gauges represented by a pair of yellow bars. The odometer, with tripmeter, is also a digital display, sited below the speedometer.


Controls close to hand

On either side, the facia curves towards the driver placing a number of controls close to hand. On the left hand side (right hand on RHD cars) the remote audio controls include a large, circular mode button which accesses various functions by repeated pushes, a button which allows the radio to seek or the optional CD player to access the next track, and a 'mute' button which silences the in-car entertainment system. A vertical rocker switch with a soft action increases or decreases volume.

To the right (to the left on RHD cars) are the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning controls, including individual soft-feel rotary knobs controlling air distribution and temperature selection. Fan speed is controlled by a vertical rocker with a visual check comprising seven green LEDs. There are four fascia vents: one either side of the steering wheel, one on the passenger side of the facia and another on the centre console above the audio unit. The powered mirror and window switches are located on the door armrests.

The column stalks follow established Honda practice but are notably short and carefully sculpted, with a crisp action. The short, stubby gear lever is cupped in a leather gaiter and topped by an aluminium gear knob with a satinised finish and inscribed gear pattern, adding to the HONDA S2000's air of engineering precision and mechanical solidity.

On the centre console, ahead of the gear lever is the audio system with a push open security cover.

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