The Honda S2000 is a front-mid engine open-top sports car manufactured from 1999 until 2009. First shown as the SSM concept at the 1995 Tokyo Motor Show, the production car was launched on 15 April 1999 to celebrate Honda’s 50th anniversary.
Honda S2000 at a glance
| Maker | Honda |
|---|---|
| Production | 1999–2009 |
| Concept | SSM, Tokyo Motor Show 1995 |
| Launch | 15 April 1999 |
| Occasion | Honda’s 50th anniversary |
| Layout | front-mid engine, rear-wheel drive |
| Engine | 2.0-litre naturally aspirated four |
| Specific output | about 92 kW (124 hp) per litre |
| Chassis codes | AP1, and AP2 for the facelift |
| Production end | 19 August 2009 |
| Name | S for sports, 2000 for two litres |
Based on one source, the English Wikipedia article on the S2000.
History of the Honda S2000
The SSM concept
The Honda Sport Study Model concept shown at the 1995 Tokyo Motor Show was the design study for the production S2000. Its inspirations were Honda’s first Formula One prototype, the RA270 of 1963, and the Caterham Seven. The SSM was a front-mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive roadster powered by a 2.0-litre five-cylinder engine, with a rigid high X-bone frame that Honda claimed improved rigidity and crash safety, aluminium body panels and a 50:50 weight distribution. It was designed by Honda’s own staff and should not be confused with the Argento Vivo roadster concept designed by Pininfarina in the same year.
Production car
The S2000 is named for its two-litre engine displacement, while S stood for sports and continued the tradition of the S500, S600 and S800 roadsters of the 1960s. Several revisions changed the engine, gearbox, suspension, interior and exterior. Officially two variants exist: the launch model with chassis code AP1, and the facelifted AP2, sold in North America and Japan, which looked similar but had significant drivetrain and suspension changes. Production ended on 19 August 2009.
Engineering highlight
The S2000 was notable for an exceptional specific power output of about 92 kW (124 hp) per litre, roughly two horsepower per cubic inch, the highest of any mass-production naturally aspirated car until 2010.
Design and features
- High-revving engine: about 124 hp per litre from two litres.
- Front-mid layout: engine behind the front axle for balance.
- SSM-derived chassis: the concept’s rigid frame idea in production.
- AP1 and AP2: the two official variants.
Honda S2000 versions
- SSM concept (1995): the design study with a five-cylinder engine.
- AP1 (1999): the launch model.
- AP2: the facelifted car with revised drivetrain and suspension.
The S2000 follows Honda’s 1960s roadsters such as the Honda S600 and sits beside the NSX as a Honda sports car. More Hondas are in the Honda collection.
Sources
- Honda S2000, English Wikipedia: concept, production, variants, engine output
