stevenw

So I was talking to a friend of mine the other day, she was riding along in my S. She owns a NB miata, and started talking about how mazda helped in the development in the s2000. The things she said where:

1. She and I share the same suspension, from what I understand we do have the same TYPE of suspension, but not exactly the same.

2. Honda had called in the engineers of the miata for help on a roaster since the miata had been so successful in years before.

I was kind of annoyed, since I told her the things she were claiming were not true, but she was so persistent that she was right, anyone here have some clarification?

rob-2

I have no knowledge of such collaboration.

The S2000 was based on the S600 and S800 which pre-dates the Miata by decades.

What makes her story more difficult to believe is the fact it was in the 80's Honda began the project that would produce the NSX/S2000. Fact is the S2000 was the original concept, but the choice to produce a v6 car put the motor rear-center and thus the NSX.

All of the technology on both the S2000 and NSX come directly from their F1 program. Honda wouldn't call in Mazada who's never had an F1 team to consult on their 50th car.

Honda's F1 record is yet to be bested by anyone. Just smile and nod next time she opens her mouth, correct her if you have no desire to sleep with her...

s2000maniac

The only thing they probably helped out was the soft top design. We can see how that turned out...

civdaddy

Haha

F20AP1

/endthread

NDAZONE

Never heard anything like this is 13 years.
I also don't think there is any truth to it. Why would Mazda help a competitor? When competing companies collaborate they each produce a similar vehicle and release it simultaneously, i.e. BRZ and FR-S. The Miata and the S2000 are very different cars.

rob-2

Car companies collaborate all the time. Typically they work out per unit royalties. For example, most of the hybrid technology in domestic cars wasn't developed state side but is a product of Honda or Toyota's design.

Similarly, many car companies use Honda's amazing indoor crash testing facilities for a fee.

That said no evidence to suggest the Mazada folks had anything to do with the S2000.

Not Sure

There is no way Honda would enlist a rival company to develop a limited production car that's meant to be a tribute to Honda's racing heritage. I sound like a fanboi, but NO WAY.

gerry100

Mazda demonstrated that an old style sports car done right would sell, and I'm sure that Honda execs considered this when evaluating the S2000 project.

Tech contributions? Nope

jtsimaras

She was pulling your leg...hahhahaha---was she hot at least.....