This will never happen, but...

Between the 2004 and 2006 updates, the S2000 has become more "civilized", even if slightly by some measures. A softer rear-end, a torquier engine, electronic driver aids, better speakers, etc. have conspired to make the car more and more a good choice for an every-day driver (philosophically closer to the Boxster in some respects than the original S2000).

So here's the big idea: now is the time for Honda to introduce a "club sport" version of the S. I don't know if this would be called a "Type-R" or what, but imagine the factory offering the following (they already make all the parts):

Starting with a Honda S2000:

No A/C or cruise control, optional radio
Lightweight seats
No trunk liner
Reduced or eliminated sound deadning & carpeting
Forged aluminum wheels (a la original JDM spec)
Modulo suspension
Reduced or eliminated steering assist
Slight power increase through higher compression/boost in engine rpm

What I'm talking about here is a car that would cost about the same as (or maybe even less than?) a standard S2000, but one with more of a track bias. Lighter, sharper, faster. Along the lines of the old Club Sport 911's.

 

barely would sell think NSX. The s2k only sells 4-5k a year anyway,

 

No comment from my side!

It is logical Honda to improve the S2000 the way it is done now with the 2006 model since the competition between car manufacturers is great.

 

Although I'd love a bare-bones S2000 from the factory to call my own, I just don't see this happening as it would take a car with limited appeal to start with and just further limit that appeal to its general buyers.

 

Makes no business sense for them to make a "type-r" variant. Whether one likes it or not, the updates to the S2000 are smart moves by Honda.

 

this has been discussed at least 4 zillion times........ one person even went so far as to set up a website about the Type R S2000 back about 3 years ago.... then everyone fell for it because it looked so legit....

 

They have done this with the Evo, so I think it could work. I think they could sell enough to justify it but I dont think Honda likes risk. They seem to keep their product line (car and truck lineup) small and efficient.

 

Okay, I think many of you missed the preamble:

"This will never happen, but..."

This is a 'wishful thinking' post, not an expectation.

 

Ok, if it ever happened... Just copy the recipe my old Miata R-package followed. No power top, steering, AC, windows, doorlocks, or ABS. To this day, I still think that was the most fun to drive car I've ever driven. Less capable than my S2000 in just about every category, but an absolute blast to drive quickly.

EDIT: Forgot two more things it didn't have, leather seats and cruise control.

 

wishing