Test drive 15 unknown facts about the most attractive Honda in history

It's unlikely that Honda will ever make a car like the S2000 again. These days, high-revving naturally aspirated engines and pure sporty architecture are something the big mass-producers simply can't capitalize on. Thus, the legendary sports coupe of 1999 will become more and more used, especially if its range is ... 54 kilometers.

Such a copy is now being prepared for the auction. From the photographs, this gray S2000 is as close as possible to when it left the factory. This is not surprising, because an owner named Hedi Chirincione bought it with the idea of ​​preserving it. He already had an S2000 and was so confident in its future classics that he bought another one to leave in the garage.

From now on, it can be predicted that the car will break the record for the most expensive specimen at the auction in January. Last year, a 2000 S2009 with 152 km at auction exceeded $ 70.

It's also a good time to remember some of the most interesting facts about what is arguably the most attractive model Honda has ever made.

Design starts here

The design of the final production version is the main work of Daisuke Sawai. He is also the author of the much more original Honda SSM Concept (pictured) that begins the S2000 story. All the time Sawai works on the project together with the Italian studio Pininfarina.

Honda deliberately slows down

The initial concept was shown in Tokyo in 1995, but then the company deliberately delayed production of the production model in order to launch it in honor of its 50th anniversary in September 1998. However, in the end, due to unforeseen complications, the debut was postponed to April 1999.

This machine creates a "club of 9000 rpm"

A simple four-cylinder engine in a sports car is not like the tip of an ice cream. But there is nothing ordinary about the S2000 engine. Known as the F20C, it revs effortlessly to 9000rpm - the first time in history that this has happened in a regular road car rather than a race car. Ferrari boasted that the achievement was their 458, but forgot that the S2000 had arrived 12 years earlier. Other models capable of doing the same: Lexus LFA, Ferrari LaFerrari, Porsche 911 GT3.

Record liter capacity

This 16-valve VTEC develops 240 horsepower from a XNUMX-liter displacement. At the time of its first appearance, it was the naturally aspirated engine with the highest power-to-liter ratio. The cylinder walls are reinforced with ceramic to withstand the load.

The liter capacity is almost 123,5 horsepower. In 2010 alone, Ferrari managed to surpass that figure with a 458 Italia and a minimum output of 124,5 horsepower per liter.

Ideal weight distribution

Despite the longitudinal positioning, virtually the entire S2000 engine is located behind the front axle. This unusual arrangement allows the roadster to achieve an ideal 50:50 weight distribution between the two axles.

X-shaped frame

The S2000 is built on a highly innovative X-frame that significantly increases torsional resistance. The short double wishbone suspension provides traction and surprisingly decent roadster comfort.

There is the most ridiculous headlight wash button

In general, a very well-thought-out car has several small, but annoying flaws. The craziest one is the headlight washer button, which sits on the center console behind the gear lever - right where your elbow would normally be. If you don't want to wash your headlights every time you change gears, you need to remove the switch and connect them to the windshield pump. An alternative is to add windshield wiper fluid every two to three hours.

A strange combination in ignition

Some older cars start with the key - you put it in and turn it. Others, more modern, are highlighted by the start button. The Honda S2000 is the only model where you get both - first you insert the key and turn on the ignition, then press a separate ignition button.

The roof is blocked

Most convertibles nowadays allow the roof to be raised or lowered at speeds of up to 50 km / h. However, for safety reasons the Japanese decided to do the exact opposite, and with the S2000, the roof is automatically locked if you start work before completion. And this can be eliminated by simply cutting off the wire under the dashboard.

Otherwise, lowering and installing the roof takes only 6 seconds.

As many as three caches

Most convertibles have a stash in the center console so you don't get too tempted by leaving your phone or wallet in front of them when the roof is down. However, the S2000 has not one, but three such caches - one on the center console, one above the seats and one under the boot floor.

Specially designed tires

The original tires - Bridgestone S02 - were actually specially designed by the manufacturer for this particular model. But it is rare to see an instance whose owner has not replaced them with even lower profile ones.

New engine from 2004

In 2004, the model underwent a facelift, during which production moved from Takanezawa to Suzuka. For the American market, a new slightly larger engine was introduced - 2157 cc and a maximum power of 241 hp. However, the maximum speed is reduced to 8200 per minute.

He has won dozens of awards

The Honda S2000 has won numerous awards: was named Car & Driver's Top 10 Car of the Year four times, won the Top Gear Audience Poll as the most liked car by its owners three times, was chosen as one of Jalopnik's ten cars of the decade, and one of the top ten all-round sports cars from Road & Track. Its engine has been named "Engine of the Year" twice in the international competition "Engine of the Year" and once "Engine of the Year" by Wards Auto.

More than half of sales are in the USA

After 10 years, production finally ended in 2009. During this time, 110 cars were sold, of which 673 were in the USA and, alas, only 66 in Europe, which explains why today it is so difficult to find a good copy from overseas.

Bob Dylan drives an S2000

Several very popular motorsport enthusiasts have chosen the S2000 as their personal vehicle. Among them are NASCAR star Danica Patrick, Star Trek actor Chris Pine, former F1 champion Jenson Button, who kept his copy long after he stopped working with Honda, former Top Gear and Fifth Gear host Vicky Butler-Hender and ... Nobel, laureate in literature and living rock legend Bob Dylan.