An ignition key light is kind of a moot point now since Honda has stopped production of the car.

 

if you ever seriously race your car and need to restart your engine and get back on the track quickly after a spin out or some other mishap then you'd understand why it's like that

 

I can understand that....
not really a compaint on the start button, more about why have the key up in the tight spot to begin with if it doesn't actually start the car. Could have been out of the way on the dash somewhere possibly. Which kinda leads toward the OP.

 

Wow if you need an light for the key I hope your don't have trouble with your girl friend.

The S is a really driver centric car, everything falls to hand in terms of placement, design and distance.

 

My personal opinion is that the key on dash idea would make it look cluttered. I like that the key is hidden away. I've never had problems finding the ignition.

And I do not want a car that can start without a physical key. The only possible time I would accept a dash key would be if it was Aston Martin style with a push block that goes flush into the dash and lights up S2000. Ohhh... Or maybe a push start button that is actually a removable key... That would be a fun toy.