Honda S2000 …… farewell to a fun loving high drop top that many of us will want in our garage
The Honda S2000 is a drop top sports car that ignited the passion of driving enthusiasts worldwide and still is a very desirable car to own. So why was it retired without a successor in sight?
This Japanese drop top was designed as a rival to the Porsche Boxster and was launched in April of 1999. The recipe was simple, almost identical to the iconic Mazda MX-5 (which was launched much earlier) It had a more powerful naturally aspirated 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine pushing power to its rear wheels and It was worked with a sweet-shifting six-speed manual gearbox.
The inline 4-cylinder DOHC-VTEC engine (codenamed F20C) delivered 237 to 247 horsepower and 208 to a possible 218 Nm of torque depending on which region it was sold.
To ensure drivers had more enthusiasm behind the wheel, Honda cabin designers installed a ‘RED’ ignition button with the words ‘Engine Start’. Interestingly, this was the very first car to get this button, ever!
With its thrilling performance, engaging driving dynamics, and iconic design, the S2000 enjoyed a loyal following. However, all good things must come to an end.
One of the primary factors behind the retirement of the Honda S2000 was the increasingly stringent emission regulations implemented globally. As automotive manufacturers faced the challenge of reducing carbon emissions, Honda made the difficult decision to discontinue the S2000.
The high-revving, naturally aspirated engine of the S2000, while a delight for enthusiasts, did not align with the emissions standards of the time. Instead, Honda shifted its focus towards developing more environmentally friendly powertrain technologies to meet the demands of a changing automotive landscape.
Another crucial aspect that influenced the discontinuation of the Honda S2000 was the shifting preferences of consumers in the sports car segment. As the automotive market evolved, there was a growing demand for vehicles with enhanced comfort, advanced technology features, and broader practicality. Buyers were looking for boring commuter vehicles! The SUV and Crossover became a priority globally.
The S2000, with its focused driving experience and limited interior space, struggled to cater to these changing consumer expectations. Honda made the strategic decision to allocate resources toward developing models that would align better with the evolving needs of their target market.
Another reason for the S2000 retirement was its rather unique build. Very little of the S2000 was shared with other Honda models and this increased its manufacturing costs and it never sold in large enough numbers globally to be profitable.
While the retirement of the Honda S2000 marked the end of an era, its impact on the automotive world remains significant. The S2000 continues to be celebrated and cherished by enthusiasts, who recognize its thrilling performance, razor-sharp handling, and iconic design.
