Honda S2000 to be reborn

10 May, 2014 7:00am Peter Lyon

Honda is set to revive the S2000 and bring us an all-new small sports roadster

Honda is set for a massive transformation from sensible to sporty, and leading the revolution are three new sports cars, which include a spiritual successor to the S2000 and an all-new NSX.

Like the original Honda S2000, this mid-engined sports car – revealed in our exclusive image - is set to be a coupe rather than a convertible and it will sit in the middle of the three cars.

The Honda S660 with its three-cylinder turbo engine will sit below it, while the the hybrid Honda NSX will be the manufacturer's flagship performance model.

A Honda insider told us about a secret in-house meeting at Honda's Tochigi R&D centre in Japan to discuss the potential for this new mid-sized sports car, which would be part of the world’s first-ever mid-engined trio of sports cars from one manufacturer. From what we’ve heard, there’s a strong chance this new Honda S2000 will get the green light.

The Honda S2000 is similar in looks to the S660 and NSX, with all three cars getting sharp lines, a bold grille and narrow headlights giving them a character unlike any of Honda’s current models.

Hybrid tech to combine performance and economy

Under the skin of the new Honda S2000, we’ve been told to expect a revised version of the 2.0-litre 350bhp turbo engine, which will power the next generation Honda Civic Type R.

Some hybrid tech - developed in conjunction with the McLaren Formula 1 team - should also feature and it's set to allow for 0-62mph in around five seconds, but with an economy of around 40mpg.

Honda is looking at adding a simplified version of the all-wheel-drive petrol-electric system used in the NSX.

The mid-size Honda S2000 replacement will be the last of Honda's three new sports cars to arrive and it's expected to go on sale in 2017 for around £35,000. The new Honda NSX is expected to arrive by the first part of 2015, making it the first of the new models to go into production.

The new Honda NSX will be powered by a V6 engine and three electric motors, which develop more than 400bhp. The front wheels get one motor each for the ultimate in torque vectoring. Honda is aiming for a price of around £100,000.

The Honda S660, meanwhile, is first expected to arrive in Japan towards the end of 2015. It'll be powered by a 600cc, 64bhp engine, although a more powerful 1.0-litre turbocharged three-cylinder is rumoured to be on the way for Europe.

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Submitted by ricardoduarte on Sat, 2014-05-10 11:55.

at the pace they develop cars these days, this should be done in 10 years:(

Submitted by DaveJ on Sat, 2014-05-10 19:46.

It's a fair point - Honda do seem to take a long time these days to cars to the market. Like what I see here though.

Submitted by Kenneth on Sat, 2014-05-10 21:14.

If Honda really wants to please the people who've abandoned them, they should forget making the S2000 - if they make it at all - a hybrid or AWD. Give us a lightweight, relatively-simple, RWD coupe. Let those obsessed with fuel economy buy a more-mundane Civic (or Fit/Jazz). Learn the lesson of the failed CR-Z!

Submitted by box on Sun, 2014-05-11 10:37.

Picture is a shopped Audi R8.

Submitted by Mr J on Mon, 2014-05-12 08:04.

If Honda makes it as elegant as the original, a new S2000 could be a winner.

Submitted by Morg on Tue, 2014-05-13 19:53.

Tbh the S660 sounds like the only interesting one there, and I LOVED the NSX and S2000.

The S2000 makes me sad. 350hp wouldn't be necessary if they got rid of the heavy 4wd, turbo and hybrid(!) technology. Why fill it with unnecessary tech and then throw power at it to compensate? It's not a SUV, it's supposed to be a sports car.

I am increasingly of the impression that the cars as machines to drive are a thing of the past. Sad.

Submitted by soldierboy001 on Tue, 2014-05-13 20:30.

The S2000 was certainly the best car of it's type at the time and certainly is still acceptable like the MX5.

Submitted by ex-honda fan on Fri, 2014-05-16 00:15.

Well said brother ....well said

Submitted by Maximania on Sun, 2014-06-01 15:23.

what? That's the s660 concept, friend. It has its own unique look. Come on, don't be that guy