The more time that goes by, the more I am starting to accept the fact that the next S will be the S2200. If this is so, don't you think that we, as the S2KI community should let Honda know that a 2.2 L 250 hp engine is not enough. I probably won't even buy the car if it's not a convertible, but that's not the point. The point is that Honda is scared of making the next S as fast as the current NSX. Honda needs to raise the bar so it can start making more powerful cars. The NSX needs to be knocking on 420 hp. That would give Honda the opportunity to use the same engine (a little detuned) in the improved RL. That would also let the CL get a power boost and let Honda up the next S to 300 hp. Which would in turn let Honda make a civic with 280 hp to contend with the Sti and Evo. I know that I'm about to get it so.... ~flame suit on~

 

I think you'll find a lot of people agree with you but, as you pointed out, Honda is unlikely to want the lower priced S to get that close to the big-bucks NSX performance numbers. A 2.2 liter stroker will not seriously address the low end torque complaints.

 

Let's say we got it to pull like an M Roadster. Why would you have to change model years? The car looks great, handles well, and if it had more grunt the marketing guys would soon run out of sales gimmicks. The idea is to sell cars, not have people keep them! On that note, check out the new uglified Miata. There was nothing wrong with the old one. More power and it would have been real competition for the S. It sort of reminds me of building code revisions for the sake of code writers' jobs.

 

So why even waste the time improving the engine if the gains are going to be so minimal? If you're going to make a change... make a change. Apparently Honda wanted to increase the power of the S, so they did, but I can get 10 hp from an exaust mod.

The Accord got a larger HP increase than the S and the Accord buyers weren't even complaing before. It's a damn family sedan for God sake! Isn't that a little backwards people? The family sedan gets 40 hp and the sports car gets 10?

What about this one. The civic get's a suped up version (si) and the S2000 doesn't.

The Accord gets 17 inch rims as an option and the S2000 has no larger tires as an option.

The civic hybrid gets a bra and the S2000 doesn't.

The CRV gets an ivtec and the S2000 gets a vtec.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by chipperman
[B]Let's say we got it to pull like an M Roadster. Why would you have to change model years? The car looks great, handles well, and if it had more grunt the marketing guys would soon run out of sales gimmicks. The idea is to sell cars, not have people keep them!

 

I don't know how people could complain about the power output of this car. The S2K has one of the best engines out there, and is a great value. If you want a convertable drag car, get a Cobra or a Vette. If you want a great handling roadster with an excellent (but low torque) engine, get the S2K.

 

And I am not complaining about the current S, just asking to improve the next one where it needs it most.

 

This car's not for everybody and most of the people on this site like it for what it is. Just because you would be happier with a boxster doesn't mean we all want a $40,000 car that's slower but has more torque.

 

I'm not buying into the horsepower wars. I understand and appreciate where some of you guys are coming from, but I'm perfectly satisfied with the car's power as it is, and I'm very happy it's a LEV.

I don't know if the car will start to look dated in a few years, nasty, but that's surely possible.

I do tend to agree that a few more horsepower seems like a waste of time.

Finally, to me, an S2000 without a ragtop is like cookies and milk without the cookies.

 

I recognize that you were likely trying to illustrate the point that Honda needs to "raise the bar" across it's product line from the Civic to the NSX. I doubt that substantial power increases as you mention will ever see a Civic's engine bay. 280 hp from a front driver? I think not. Not without some severe traction/transmission issues. And even if these concerns are resolved, who is going to pay $30,000 + ($45,000 CAD) for a "Civic"? Case in point; poor sales of the otherwise formidable Civic Si due to its pricepoint. Such alterations to the Civic line up, and Honda would miss the boat with their target market of this otherwise compact family sedan.

Cheers
Asif