Honda · 1999–2009

Honda S2000

The Honda S2000 is a front-mid engine open top sports car that was manufactured by Japanese automobile manufacturer Honda, from 1999 until 2009. First shown as a concept car called the SSM at the Tokyo Motor Show in 1995, the production version was launched on April 15, 1999, to celebrate the company's 50th anniversary. The S2000 is named for its engine displacement of two liters, while "S" stood for "sports" carrying on in the tradition of the S500, S600, and S800 roadsters of the 1960s. Several revisions were made throughout the car's production life, including changes to the engine, gearbox, suspension, interior and exterior. Officially two variants exist: the initial launch model was given the chassis code AP1; though cosmetically similar, the facelifted version, known as the AP2 in North America and Japan, incorporated significant changes to the drivetrain and suspension. Production of the S2000 ceased on August 19, 2009. The Honda S2000 was notable for its exceptional specific power output of about 92 kW (124 hp) per liter, or about two horsepower per cubic inch, the highest of any mass production, naturally aspirated car, until 2010.

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Predecessor: Honda S800

All Honda S2000 data: UK builds, safety, recalls, model years → + Compare

Concept car

Introduced at the 1995 Tokyo Motor Show, the Honda Sport Study Model concept car was the design study for the production version of the S2000. The inspirations for the concept car were the first prototype Honda Formula One racing car, the Honda RA270 from 1963 and the Caterham Seven. The SSM was a front-mid engine rear-wheel-drive roadster powered by a 2.0 L (122 cu in) five-cylinder engine. It featured a rigid 'high X-bone frame' which Honda claimed improved the vehicle's rigidity and collision safety. The concept car was constructed with aluminum body panels and featured a 50:50 weight distribution. The SSM was designed by Honda's own staff, should not be confused with the Argento Vivo roadster concept designed by Pininfarina, introduced same year and powered by a Honda in-line four cylinder engine as well. The SSM appeared in many automotive shows for several years afterwards, hinting at the possibility of a production version, which Honda announced in 1999.

Development

The whole development process was carried out by Honda designers and engineers. The development team was sticking curiously to the classic Honda values, instead of marketing requirements, as former Chief Engineer Shigeru Uehara revealed in an interview: "You will be surprised to know that we had very little input from the marketing people. This was a deliberate move, as we wanted to create something to please us as an engineering team, rather than try and please everyone. If you listen to everyone, included everything they ask for, all cars end up the same. We wanted a vehicle that was more focused - more Honda." The development team focused on keeping the compact size and low weight of the concept car according to Uehara: "The reaction garnered by the SSM meant we had to keep the S2000 as close as possible to the concept car. Using a Civic CRX Del Sol-based mule, it was obvious the packaging was going to be tight, but the early prototype was tried against rival models at Suzuka, and it looked so right, we felt obliged to continue down the same development path." The car was tested primarily on race tracks and mountain roads of Japan and Europe, reflecting well the purpose of the roadster: "As the project evolved, to make sure we were on the right track, we did a lot of real world testing - first in Hokkaido, and then all over Europe, taking in an average of 450 miles (720 km) a day at high speed. We wanted a car that delivered just the right amount of tension for the driver, with direct and linear response, sharp handling and the necessary power and torque for fast progress and safe overtaking, but nothing too excessive. The final fine-tuning was done on the track to ensure the handling was right without being that sharp that the car became unruly, whatever the weathe

AP1 (1999–2003)

The S2000 was introduced in 1999 for the 2000 model year and was given the chassis designation of "AP1". It features a front-mid engine rear-wheel-drive layout with power delivered by a 1,997 cc (122 cu in) inline four-cylinder DOHC VTEC engine. The engine (codenamed F20C) generates power outputs of 177–184 kW (241–250 PS; 237–247 hp), and 208–218 N⋅m (153–161 lbf⋅ft) of torque depending on the target market. The engine is mated to a six-speed manual transmission and Torsen limited-slip differential. The S2000 achieved what Honda claimed as the highest specific output of a naturally aspirated production automobile engine in the world. The most powerful version; the JDM F20C was rated at 184 kW (250 PS; 247 hp) or 92 kW (125 PS; 123 hp) per liter as a result of a higher 11.7:1 compression ratio. Notable features include independent double wishbone suspension, electrically assisted steering and integrated roll hoops. The car had 16-inch wheels with Bridgestone Potenza S-02 tyres equipped. The compact and lightweight engine, mounted entirely behind the front axle, allow the S2000 to achieve a 50:50 front/rear weight distribution and lower rotational inertia. The dashboard got similar design to late eighties-early nineties McLaren-Honda Formula-1 racing cars (MP4/5, MP4/6 and MP4/7), as a reference to the racing pedigree of high rev line and output Honda engines. An electrically powered vinyl top with internal cloth lining and plastic rear window was standard, with an aluminum hardtop available as an optional extra (in 2001). Honda initially offered the S2000 in Berlina Black, New Formula Red, Grand Prix White, and Silverstone Metallic exterior colours in the US domestic market. On some other markets Monte Carlo Blue Pearl and Spa Yellow Pearl / Indy Yellow Pearl were also

AP2 (2003–2009)

The 2004 model S2000 underwent several significant changes. Production moved to Suzuka. The new model introduced 17 in (43 cm) wheels and Bridgestone RE-050 tyres along with a retuned suspension to reduce oversteer. The spring rates and shock absorber damping were altered and the suspension geometry was modified to improve stability by reducing toe-in changes under cornering loads. The subframe also received a revision in design to achieve high rigidity. In the gearbox the brass synchronizers were replaced with carbon fibre. In addition, cosmetic changes were made to the exterior with new front and rear bumpers, revised headlight assemblies, new LED tail-lights, and oval-tipped exhaust pipes. Although all the cosmetic, suspension and most drivetrain upgrades were included on the Japanese, Australian and European models, they retained the 2.0-liter F20C engines and remained designated as AP1 (facelift) models. For the North American market, the updates also included the introduction of a larger version of the F20C (with a designation of F22C1); this larger engine gave the new model a chassis designation of AP2. The engine's stroke was lengthened, increasing its displacement to 2,157 cc (2.2 L; 131.6 cu in). At the same time, the redline and fuel cutoff were reduced from 8,800 rpm and 9,000 rpm to 8,000 rpm and 8,200 rpm respectively, mandated by the longer travel of the pistons. Peak torque increased by 6% to 220 N⋅m (162 lbf⋅ft) at 6,800 rpm while power output remained unchanged at 177 kW (237 hp) achieved at a lower 7,800 rpm. In conjunction with the introduction of the F22C1, Honda also changed the transmission gear ratios by shortening the first five gears and lengthening the sixth. In 2006, the F22C1 was also introduced to the Japanese market, with a power output

Safety

In 2002, the Honda S2000 received a 4-star Euro NCAP rating. NHTSA crash test ratings (2006): Frontal Crash Test – Driver: Frontal Crash Test – Passenger: Side Impact Rating – Driver: Rollover Rating: 8.2%

Reviews and awards

The S2000 has received much praise from critics and motoring journalists and has received favourable reviews from such publications as Car and Driver. Highlighted are the high output of the engine, the high redline, the balanced handling, and the smooth gearbox. User surveys have named the S2000 as a favorite for overall customer satisfaction. The S2000 was the Cabrio of the Year at 1999 Geneva International Motor Show where Honda held the roadster's world premiere. The S2000 was awarded the "Best of What's New" title by Popular Science. The design of the S2000 won the Red Dot Design Award in 2001 in the "Best of the Best" Category. The S2000 was named the "Best Performance Car" by Motorweek, when it was new. The S2000 was on Car and Driver's 10Best list for 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2004. The S2000 was the highest-ranked model in the J. D. Power and Associates Vehicle Dependability Study "Premium Sports Car" class for 2004, 2006, and 2008 and consistently held one of the top three positions. The S2000 won Car and Driver's 2003 open-top sports car comparison test against the Nissan 350Z, Porsche Boxster, BMW Z4, and Audi TT. The S2000 was ranked number #1 in the BBC Top Gear survey in 2003, 2005, and 2006. The S2000 was voted as favourite car of Top Gear Magazine readers in 2005, 2006 and 2007. The S2000 was ranked as "Best Affordable Sports Car" by U.S. News & World Report in 2008 and 2009 The S2000 was on Edmunds Consumers' Most Wanted Vehicles list for 2004, 2005 and 2007. The S2000 was the most reliable car in consumer report of AutoExpress UK in 2005 and 2006. The S2000 was voted in AutoExpress UK's Driver Power survey as the Best Performance Car 2003 and 2004, Best Gearbox 2003, Best Braking 2004 and Used Car Honours 2003 for Best Roadster. The S2000 was also the Auto

Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.

Specifications

name

Honda S2000

Manufacturer

Honda

Production

1999–2009 (110,673 produced)

Class

Sports car (S)

Layout

Front mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive

Body style

2-door roadster / Detachable hardtop

Designer

Shigeru Uehara (1995)

Predecessor

Honda S800

Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Measured facts from Wikidata (CC0). Check the linked sources for citations.

More photos

Sources

• Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q913796CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_S2000CC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1370274460 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:HondaS2000-002.jpgCC BY 2.5 · Photo: Rich Niewiroski Jr. · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.

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