heard that the new boxster was going to be quite powerful. 280-300 is what i heard. that is the S2k's biggest competition in the roadster catergory and some of the other cars are comeing out too like the new "fairlady Z" which is suppose to be quite powerful. how do you guys think honda will counteract this if at all?

my opinion is that honda will slap "-R" after s2000 (s2000-R) and make it a bigger 4banger (2.2-2.5 liter, just like that website said) with a redline of about 9.5-10k. i cant think of the power because who would have thought 240hp out of a 2.0L 4banger? but i would say 280hp. what ever it is, if it isnt stupid i want it

 

I have a hard time thinking that Honda will come out with a new and improved S just because Porsche ups the ante.

 

but there are other cars that are threatening the S

 

What about if Porsche, BMW, and Mercedes come out with better models ? That is happening right now. The BMW now has 315 hp, the Mercedes 349 hp, and the Porsche will have 280hp. When all these cars first came out the S2000 was a match versus the best of these cars (old M Roadster, SLK320, and Porsche Boxster). It was like look I have great performance at a great price. Now it's like "Mine is still cheaper than yours, even though yours is much faster). I know these cars are much more expensive (and I actually have another car, not an S2000 but I have much love) but the performance gap is now getting larger and larger. Would you pay say an extra $6K-$8K if they would have an S3000 and drop the current, outgoing NSX engine in it ? A 3.2 with 290-300 hp would be awesome and let the S2000 line match the SLK 32 & new M Roadster.

 

The S as it is kicks a**. I don't care if they change a thing. I love it for what it is - a supurb automobile. Stock is awesome. Those who like to mod - power to you. When it comes down to it, where does it stop? When is enough enough? There is and will always be faster cars. So what. I want and have an s2000.

 

I don't think Honda has to do anything...the S2000 is a ltd. production vehicle, and it's an excellent value. They should have no problems selling every one they make for some time. I don't think a very large of S2000 owners are seriously cross-shopping it against the Boxster S, and the price differential will only grow as Porsche adds more performance.

As for the new Z and the other German competition...
Mercedes - too heavy, no manual transmission w/ AMG engine. No thanks.
BMW - great engine, but I don't like the rest of the car - my opinion may change w/ the new gen. model on the horizon
Z car - nice, but no convertible (for now), much heavier, and questionable styling.
M3 - now we're talking, I've been tempted and may buy one for my next car, when/if I
decide to part w/ my S2000.

I'd prefer to have a Boxster S, but would only be willing to pay ~$5K extra for it. Most owners are very happy w/ their S2000s now, so why should the presence of faster, much more expensive competitors change that (unless you have a fragile ego?)

As for the 2.2-2.5L engine w/ 9.5-10K redline idea, that's just dreaming. Increasing displacement adds to piston speed at any given rpm (if stroked) and reciprocating mass. Both factors tend to reduce redlines as displacement grows.

Look at sportbikes as an example:
600's can rev up to 15,500 rpm
750's up to 14K
1000's usually <12K

 

A year ago I read about a 2.5L engine (Temple of VTEC? I can't remember) with performance like our engines. That would make it around 200ft.lbs of torque and 290hp. The 2.0L engine was chosen for Honda' s 50th birthday and also the celebration of Y2K. Don't forget, back in the early 60s Honda's first roadster was released as the S500, a few years later the S600 was released. And before the close of production in 70 or 71 the S800 was released (Honda never shipped any of those cars to the U.S.). Each time the engine was increased in size and power output.

I stopped by my local Honda dealership and had a short conversation with the Sales Manager. He said the owner had just returned from a Honda Grass Roots Meeting. At this meeting Honda of America stated this will be the last year for the S2000 ! ! So maybe next year we won't see a 2003 S2000. But instead a new Honda Roadster, a S2500 or better yet the S2800. A V6 would be great ! A V6 would actually move some of the engines' weight back even farther from the front axle. A 2800 V6 could produce around 336 hp with about 250 ft.-lbs. of torque, add i-VTEC, and 9,000 RPMs. Honda would be right back in the middle of ROADSTER WARS and kicking the German's backside again. It would also slap Nissan right in the face and their new Z car too.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Chris S
[B]As for the 2.2-2.5L engine w/ 9.5-10K redline idea, that's just dreaming.

 

Even if Porsche was to releasean improved Boxster it's not going to be $30K!

 

Until the next generation NSX is out (350-400hp, I heard), I don't think Honda is going to do anything about the S2000's engine (Since NSX still has the 290hp V6 in it). It would be nice to have a NSX-like engine in an S2000.