Honda S2000

Technical Specs

Standard Engine 2.2L I4

Standard Transmission 6 Speed Manual

Cylinders 4Horse

power @ RPM 237@7800

Torque @ RPM 162@6800 (foot-lbs)

The S2000 is based on the Honda SSM concept car that first appeared at the 1995 Tokyo Motor Show, capturing the spirit of legendary high-performance sports cars of the past, as well as Honda's very first sports car, the S500. According to Honda, the company's racing heritage is reflected in every aspect of the S2000's design, performance and handling. For 2008 a club racer-inspired trim called the CR is added to the lineup.


The 2008 Honda S2000 receives a new wheel design, revised spring and damper tuning, revised meter design on instrument panel and a tire-pressure-monitoring system. Also, a new a club racer-inspired trim level called the CR is added to the lineup. The CR provides more aggressive track-oriented suspension settings, increased body and chassis rigidity, overall weight reduction and aerodynamic spoilers. A removable aluminum hardtop replaces the convertible soft-top. Inside, the seats have yellow stitching for a sporty appearance, an exclusive spherical aluminum shift knob that sits lower and a peak-power indicator on the instrument panel.

Think Honda racing

Everyone knows Honda for its popular, solidly built Honda Accords and long-running Civics. Some of us have enjoyed Honda motorcycles, and some have Honda lawn mowers in the garage.
But Honda has a racing heritage, too, in everything from superbikes to Formula One. The S2000, with its front-engine, rear-wheel-drive configuration, is designed to draw on and highlight that heritage. And it does so superbly.

No kids, please

But the S2000 has one glaring deficiency: No turnoff switch for the passenger frontal airbag, which means it can be dangerous for young ones to ride in this car.
Because of the threat of child injuries and fatalities caused by airbags, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration advises children age 12 and under to ride in a vehicle's back seat, away from frontal airbags. That's not possible in the S2000, obviously, and with no switch to turn off the frontal passenger bag, I was forced to ask: What's a parent to do? Pressed on this issue, a Honda spokesman said drivers shouldn't take children in this car.