AkiraNSX is on a roll today, shortly after submitting the pics from the Tokyo Auto Salon, he dropped this little bombshell in my inbox:

Hi Jeff, The Feb 26th issue of Best Car has an article about "the final version of S2000" and its successor. I thought it's something everyone would like to know about, so I bought it, took it home, and my scanner decides to give up its ghost. Oh well, I'll summarize what I read though. The Last S2000 "Loyal readers may remember that about 4 years ago, in 2003, Best Car reported on the release of the S2000 Type R. Unfortunately it never materialized. At that time, it was not just wild guesses and Photoshop'ed art work. There was an actually S2000 Type R proposal that leaked out from Honda sources describing the S2000 Type R. The proposal was dropped at the last minute in favor of the 2.2L AP2 to satisfy the need for more torque in the American market, while Japan complained of the decision being very 'un-Honda.'" Apparently Best Car has reason to believe that Honda is revisiting this Type R proposal for the final model change for the S2000. They call it the "lightweight package" and it will follow the Type R proposal's target of 100kg weight reduction, bringing the car from 1250kg to 1150kg, changing the power to weight ratio from 5.16kg/ps to 4.75kg/ps. This should provide performance at turbo levels but with the direct feel of natural aspiration. The S2000 Type R model year 2004 proposal (official document from Honda) consisted of: -target of 100kg weight reduction -balanced engine internals (Type R treatment) -Type R exclusive interior -air conditioning becomes a factory option -SRS air bag becomes a factory option -sound deadening material deleted -front tire: 205/55R16 to 205/45R17 (implemented on AP2) -rear tire: 225/50R16 to 245/40R17 (implemented on AP2) -Type R exclusive suspension tuning -Type R exclusive uprated brakes -Type R exclusive body color(s) -spare tire deleted -mechanical LSD -power soft top deleted -lightweight carbon hard top -audio becomes factory option The S2000 is expected to be discontinued before March 2008, so the lightweight package should be sold sometime between now and then. The next S Honda has been tossing around many ideas on the next S. From 4 door sports car to FF compact sports. But it seems they have decided to stay with the FR roadster format, and are preparing a concept car in time for the discontinuation of the S2000. But instead of targeting the likes of SLK and Z4, they are going to go with a 2.0L engine and battle it out with the long-time popular Mazda Roadster (Miata in US). Engine will be the new Advanced VTEC K20A with an output of about 200-220ps. It will be a milder engine than the S2000, and the suspension tuning will also follow this route. Styling is said to be heavily based on the S500/S600/S800, Honda's first 4 wheel automotive. Dimensions will be slightly smaller than the S2000 with an overall length of 4000mm, overall width of 1730mm, height of 1250mm, and wheelbase of 2400mm. That's about the same size as the Mazda Roadster. The roof will be electric powered metal hardtop, and the car should weight in at 1250kg, which is slightly heavier than the Mazda, but the extra power in the S will more than make up for it. It is also probable that the car will be available only with a clutchless 6spd manual shift transmission. Release date is expected to be near the end of 2008, with a price of 30,000,000yen Sorry about the scanner, there are many photos in the magazine, including a scan of the actual Type R proposal. At least there is one image on the cover. akiraNSX...

TOV Commentary: I just can't bite my lip on this. First of all, regarding the news of the supposed S2000 Type R, all I can say is "It's about time." And "Where do I send my deposit?", especially after reading about the toned down successor they're apparently working on. As a proud S2000 owner since the car was launched over 7 years ago, I'm a little shocked (and saddened) to hear that Honda has allegedly decided to shift the S2000 in this direction. All I can say is thank goodness they didn't go the 4-door or FF routes! That would be AWFUL and very 'un-Honda' - just as bad and 'un-Honda' as making the NSX successor an overweight front-engined and AWD me-too car.

Last edited by JeffX on February 01, 2008 09:48