The Honda S2000 is a roadster manufactured and built by Honda. It was first shown as a concept car at the Tokyo Motor Show in 1995, but was released in 1999 to 2009. It was created to celebrate Honda's 50th anniversary. The car has notably a higher specific output for naturally-aspirated 2-litre engine. Jeremy Clarkson in particular was known to be a particular fan of the S2000 which in turn won three years of the 2004 Top Gear Survey.
The car nomenclature is derivative from the engine displacement, although the AP2 version retains the model name with updated engine. The AP1 starts with an 16-inch wheels, a 2-litre DOHC VTEC engine, etc. The special edition called "Type-V comes with variable gear ratio steering that reduced steering angle and turns from 2.4 to 1.4, in-UK spec has GT model from 2002.
The AP2 was introduced in 2003 with many changes like newly 2.2-litre DOHC VTEC engine (only in North America and Japan models), tyres and wheels are also updated to 17-inch, maximum redline to 8200 rpm, revised gear ratios etc.
The production ceased in 2009 due to the impact of 2008 automotive industries crisis.
Appearances[]
- In Clarkson's Top 100 Cars, Jeremy ranks the S2000 in 22nd place for its astonishing engine soundtrack, handling, speed and ease of use, stating it to be the best modern sports car.
- In Series 1, Episode 3, grannies are challenged with donuting an S2000.
- In Series 3, Episode 2, Jeremy champions the S2000 aas the best two seater roadster on the Isle of Man against James in a Porsche Boxster and Richard in a BMW Z4. Despite his praise, it ultimately loses to the Boxster as The Stig sets a lap time of 1:37.4 in the wet around the Top Gear Test Track.
- In Clarkson: Shoot-Out, Jeremy proves modern Sports-Car reliability by drag racing a S2000 against a Triumph TR6. Despite the TR6 initially winning it breaks down, with the S2000 ultimately coming on top.
- In Series 6, Episode 11, James uses an S2000 to help compose the Top Gear Theme.
- In Series 17, Episode 3, an S2000 is highly reccommended by Jeremy for £6995.