2008 Honda S2000 sales brochure
News from the Tokyo Auto Salon on the blogosphere featured a Toyota T-Sport concept, a coupe that would resemble what could be the result of an illicit tryst between the S2000, Mustang and Megatron from Transformers. AutoCar UK also reports that Porsche has confirmed the development of a 4-cylinder engine that could find application in a new entry level model as well as the Boxster, Cayman and possibly in a 911. Porsche has reportedly said they expect this engine (2.5 liter) engine to deliver around 360HP in turbo form. Before one can say Doppelkupplungsgetreibe, all of us at the news team got in a tizzy about what Honda could possibly do to build another S2000, only this time to make it a more permanent product.
There is no doubt that of late several have questioned whether Honda’s mojo is lost. The CR-Z has had lackluster sales and there is nothing exciting forthcoming from Honda, other than the Civic Si concept revealed in Detroit and rumors of a turbo 200 HP CR-Z. Be that as it may, the only way Honda can truly thrill us to bits is by bringing back some RWD cars and going back to their roots. In a perfect world, Honda would have an NSX supported by an S2000 and a Kei class RWD roadster that could bear the Honda Beat badge.
Honda never really intended to have the S2000 continue to sell for as long as it did. After all, the plan was to build a car to commemorate their 50th year. As a one-off model the S2000 was built ground up with its own engine and components sharing very little in common with other cars on the Honda platform. The F20/F22 engines had no other application in other cars, nor did other components that Honda developed for the S2000. From Honda’s perspective, the cost of manufacturing this car was possibly higher as the cost of component development could not be spread across several different product lines. Neither was the S2000 designed to be a volume car. With its rev-happy engine, “manual” gearbox, and sporty handling it would appeal only to a select few.
Therefore to offer another S2000 for the enthusiasts and keep this going, Honda will have to tread the mainstream path. I can hear daggers being unsheathed at this blasphemous suggestion and pens being dipped in vitriol, but would request you to hear us out.
As I think of the competition, namely Nissan, Porsche and Mazda (BMW does not count with their bloated wares) – they have all had a version of the Z, Boxster/Cayman and the Miata for the average person that could not shift if their life depended on it and for whom the word “clutch” would not necessarily evoke that which exists between the dead pedal and the brake. It is such people that make up a large section of the auto-buying market and who drive a roadster or a sports car for the image or the false allure of virility that it may provide. Nissan, Porsche and Mazda have built their business on marketing to these customers while also ensuring the enthusiast is covered. It has allowed them (especially Mazda & Porsche) to actively promote racing and establish their brand credentials. Spec Miatas are the choice of club racers everywhere and those with money can always buy a race ready P-car. It is these customers that Honda must tailor their offerings to as well.
Next up, the usage of shared components, technology and production lines. While Honda has found uses for technology and production lines, they never built the S2000 as a car that would spawn and support other product offerings. While that has rewarded us with a pure-bred roadster, it nevertheless has left us disappointed to not see a successor. Nissan on the other hand utilizes its VQ series engine in a whole host of vehicles in addition to the Z. Porsche also does the same thing with its design trickery between the Cayman and the Boxster and Mazda too has used the MZR engine in its other cars.
Seeing how the competition has navigated through the years could very well be a template of sorts for Honda to add some much-needed zing to its product line-up. They could develop a turbo engine for the S2000 (seeing how they may go turbo with the CR-Z) and have a detuned version powering a lighter weight Kei class roadster like the Honda Beat. In keeping with their purist tradition, they could develop a dual-clutch transmission for the S2000 (or the NSX) and apply it across the board to other product offerings, instead of a CVT or an automatic. A DCT (along with a manual for the purists) would keep the enthusiast base assured that Honda has not sold out, while also reaching out to the vast commuter pool that can’t shift. Other options could include a retractable hard top along the lines of the Miata PRHT (Power Retractable Hard Top) while equipping the enthusiasts version with a cloth top like today. Also if HPD and/or HFP got involved with providing OEM racing accessories to owners (say roll bars or performance mods), that would go a long way in ensuring more Honda’s go road racing on the weekends.
Danny Bahar, the CEO of Lotus , that epitome of lightness and efficiency, has gone on record stating that Lotus intends to expand its offerings by targeting the “Porsche customer”. In other words, Lotus wants to expand beyond the enthusiast and possibly build an Elise that the average American will fit into. Likewise Honda needs to build scaled-down versions of its performance cars to reach out to groups other than enthusiasts, for the sake of the enthusiasts.
The possibilities are limitless and all it needs is Honda’s resolve to get back to running things the Soichiro Honda way. It could very well be that Honda has such plans on the anvil and may get back to its enthusiast roots once they have met global fuel economy requirements for their fleet. Until then though, our enthusiast hearts will wonder, ponder, curse and loathe, hoping the nightmare will end and the dream is realized. Lest you feel offended about dumbing down an NSX or an S2000 for the masses, let me remind you that it would any day be better than having an Odyssey or a CR-V with a manual transmission and “sporty” Mugen decals.
Hope springs eternal in our hearts for Honda, how about you? Do you think Honda must go mainstream with their performance cars if that’s what it takes to justify building a sports car?
Image courtesy of ed62slow
NOTE: S2KI welcomes the opinions of its members on the S2000 and on all topics related to the S. Should you feel the creative urge to pen a few words then by all means do so and PM Energetic, Aashish2, Onehots2k OR s2kpwned OR send us links to what you would like us to write about and we will feature you (or your community) on the S2KI Home Page.
Related posts:
- Mojo Rising? Only if Honda can Find It During the launch of the 2012 Civic Si (9th Generation...
- A Honda S2000 with a Mind of Its Own An anti-theft system is one of the most popular accessories...
- 139 Reasons Not To Kill The S2000 – An Open Letter To Honda Upon returning from Wake the Dragon 2011, our member LittleBlueS2...
- Next Honda – To Go With Your S2000 We often like to tell others that our car revs...
on Jan 19th, 2011 at 8:21 pm
I think they need to create some kind of mainstream performance car, ONLY to fund a true sports car like the S2000 has proven to be. Similar to how Nissan has mainstreamed the 350/370Z and given rebirth to the GT-R.
If Honda could create some mid-level performance car for the greater population and give rebirth to the NSX i would be happy
on Jan 20th, 2011 at 12:33 am
I think the fact that the S2000 was unique and shared very little components / tech with other lines is a testament to what Honda achieved with the car. That was 12 years ago however and things have moved on, namely EU emission targets. N/A engines are a thing of the past for the sports car market with even Ferrari looking at FI options. Honda need to get to grips with this and develop a ‘stock’ unit that can be run in various states of tune. Most manufacturers of sports cars offer a ‘soft’ version for the mainstream (as you say with an auto box of sorts), but develop the car they really wanted for those that really want them.
The market needs another low end ‘true’ sports car, 1000-1200kg, 2 seats, FR layout, not another 1500kg ‘sports car’. I hope they can deliver as sure it will sell.
on Jan 20th, 2011 at 10:42 am
Accord Coupe… already has a manual 6 speed transmission and a V-6 engine.
Lower it, add better brakes, turn it into a rear wheel drive car, and mass produce.
Honda Civic Si… lower slightly, add turbo, better brakes, and mass produce.
S2000… Honda could supercharge a reskinned S2000(think Comptech/Vortech), add some better brakes, and mass produce.
on Jan 20th, 2011 at 5:39 pm
N/A vtec ALWAYS! No turbos, no supercharges. RWD!
If they come with another S or NSX, they better be with the old roots or just don’t botter…
on Jan 20th, 2011 at 9:27 pm
Use the platform that they originally developed for still born NSX (with the V10 & SH-AWD) & the next gen RL; modify it as they see fit (for RWD & AWD) for the following products:
1. A luxury 2-dr (2+2) sport coupe with a next gen high rpm V6 and SH-AWD for Acura.
2. If sales pick up spin this off to a more (trimmed down) model with RWD & 6spd only (for enthusiasts)
3. Extend the platform in AWD format for the next gen RL.
4. Turn the platform into RWD format only for the next gen S2000.
As for the engine the AP1/AP2 chassis can already accept a V6 (remember the 3.7 they shoehorned in it?). So they should keep the room for a (lower bhp output) V6 and mate it with a DCT for the next gen “mainstream” S2000. THEN develop the next gen NA 4 pot that pushes the rev limit, and mate it with with a 6spd (only) as an enthusiast model.
on Jan 21st, 2011 at 2:50 am
But see if Honda did us all proud with their F20 and F22 Engines and that amazing vtech ? why go changing it all i say they stick to orginal roots but somehow manage to add a few new details.
on Jan 21st, 2011 at 7:56 am
I am indeed very comfy that:
1. The S2000 line will not be continued or will not have a successor.
2. That Honda has gone soft with Hybrid & EV vehicles.
That makes our S2000 unique because it is the last, greatest and no compromise Honda ever built.
…And It will probably stay that way. Times change so our requirements have changed. Global warming and ever stricter emission regulations will kill the naturally aspirated engine and, in time, also the forced induction engines….well, all most fossil fuel engines will die out by the end of this decade.
on Jan 21st, 2011 at 8:37 pm
I agree with a lot of what every one else has said here. Head over to AutoBlog to read a great article about how Honda has lost their way http://www.autoblog.com/2011/01/20/opinion-has-honda-lost-its-footing/9#c32753803
I hope that this article and the one over at AutoBlog grabs Honda’s attention. It hurts that a company that I have loved for 15 years may lose a customer once I move on from the S (stored of course, and a grocery getter a the next daily driver).
on Jan 23rd, 2011 at 3:52 pm
What about the HSV-010, Honda have’nt forgotten completly about racing…
on Jan 24th, 2011 at 3:00 pm
They need an Acura TSX with the 3.5 v6 in rwd… This would own… Throw a supercharger FTW!
on Jan 26th, 2011 at 10:03 am
What a dissapointment! I have owned every model of honda/acura since 1990 (minus MiniVans). Honda has always led the way with power, fuel economy and design. The new vehicles they have out are such a dissapointment, they are just getting lost with other manufacturers.
I can remember when I would never even look at other cars, now instead of a Honda Accord i would rather look at a Hundai Sonata, instead of a TL i bought an Audi A4. The only car in BOTH their lineup even worth mentioning is the Civic SI and that is geared towards the 25 year old segment. The K series motor is Great but look at whats out on the market today, for the price of the SI you can get a Mazadaspeed 3 that will kill it or a VW GTI that out performs it.
I agree with Liquid6, after the my S2K i will not be buying anymore honda’s or Acuras unless they come out with true cars. If i wanted cars that just blended into the rest of the group i would just get the other cars.
Come on Honda… Step it up, this is the census from the entire communitty of loyal followers. I would hate the day when Honda changes places with hyundai for performance and power.