Enter the rumormill: Honda readying S2000 Type-R?
It's well known that the S2000 is nearing the end of its life cycle. The high revving drop top has provided enthusiasts of all stripes a perfect platform for track duty and the daily slog, but something has always been missing: a Type-R variant.
The Temple of VTEC had a copy of Best Car magazine translated from its native Japanese tongue to reveal plans that were originally developed in 2004 (and had been leaked in the past) which give details about a hardcore version of Honda's popular two-door convertible.
Follow the jump for all the details.
[Source: Temple of VTEC]
If the leaked information is to be believed, expect the Type-R to lose about 220 pounds through a strict diet that will see the removal of the air conditioning, stereo and sound deadening material, while the power-retractable roof may be nixed in favor of a carbon fiber hard top. The engine will also be beefed up through the use of lightweight, forged internals, the brakes will grow, an upgraded LSD will be added, the suspension will be dropped and stiffened, and Type-R specific wheels will likely come wrapped in some exotic compound.
The interior will also benefit from the Type-R treatment, with what we'd expect to be highly bolstered seats that dispatch the current model's leather thrones for something alcantara wrapped, along with a new steering wheel and other small, driver oriented additions. Naturally, there will be some exclusive colors; we're thinking Championship White and the eye-catching yellow that bathed past Integra and Civic Type-Rs.
If such a beast does make it to production, we'd expect it to be released sometime in early 2008, just as the S2000 is fazed out of production.
The article also details some of the changes that may be implemented on the new iteration, mainly comprised of an advanced version of the popular K20A, 2-liter engine, producing around 220 HP and designed to do battle with the Mazda MX-5. We'd encourage you to click on over to TOV for all the details than come back here and let us know if you think they're on the right path.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
SSBR 9:39AM (1/30/2007)
Whoa.. is that a yellow Ford Thunderbird mini I see in the magazine photo? Anyways... the S2000 is a great example of a compact, but fun to drive vert. Adding a S-type version is a great tribute to all the fans and to the model itself before it gets a redesign or replacement. Just don't expect it to come here, America never gets the good stuff. Just look at the last USDM 200SX... sigh...
http://www.rolesor.com
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Bill P. 6:23PM (1/30/2007)
The S2000 already has a limited-slip differential, at least in the States.
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Adam 9:56AM (1/30/2007)
I enjoy the S2000 but never found it to appealing the styling was a little drab. Add a some flair with the Type-R and they might have something, if only for a while.
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D Man 10:18AM (1/30/2007)
Too little too late.
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Jon F 10:31AM (1/30/2007)
It ain't tight if it ain't a type R.
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arcsine 12:54PM (1/30/2007)
S2000 as a daily driver? Ouch, my spine/left foot/right arm aches just thinking about it.
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Model 62 5:48PM (1/30/2007)
Nifty. Additional dosages of raw won't help North American sales much. I'd consider trading my MYO6 for one of those.
Less sanguine about the proposed replacement.
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C 2:02PM (1/30/2007)
How about some steering feel? I know it's electric power steering, but the RX-8's is too and it gives you more feedback through the wheel.
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C 2:02PM (1/30/2007)
Wait -- just make it unassisted. The NSX-R doesn't have power steering! Especially after dropping "a couple hundred pounds" that should be no problem. Even going with a slower rack is no problem if there's more feel.
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bill 11:40AM (1/31/2007)
Breaking News: The honda S-2000 type-R will have an amazing 130 HP instead of the stock 120. This comes as a great surprise to most people. They don't even make an eight cylinder.
The only reason people buy a honda is so they can have a cheap piece of junk to drive to work in everyday. The reason that Honda and Toyota make so much profit on their cars is because they pay their workers crap and offer horrible health insurance. Also no pay when they retire. They don't allow their workers to form strong unions and they get treated badly. Makes you think twice about buying an import dosen't it. At least the American companies treat their employees fairly.
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far jr 7:47PM (1/30/2007)
Boy Honda knows how to update it's aging sports cars...
S2000 is 8 years old and NSX is what, 15 years with very minimal updates?
Wow...makes me wanna buy one. Hopefully the R model get rid of all of the Oversteer the car was known for?
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Model 62 12:38AM (1/31/2007)
The oversteer is a feature not a bug. However, the 2004+ model years were set up a little differently to keep the ass-end less twitchier than earlier models (fatter rear wheels and some suspension re-dos). It's still very responsive, however.
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EricS2K 9:00AM (1/31/2007)
Why should the Type R version be *less* powerful than the stock version? 220hp is a step *down*.
The stock version already has an LSD.
The stock engine already has forged internals.
The stock wheels already come wrapped in some exotic compound. With a treadwear rating of 140, you don't get much more exotic for the street.
Please, if you're going to make up a wishlist of improvements, wish for an improvement, not a downgrade.
I suggest Damon Lavrinc goes and researches the existing S2000 before speculating on changes to it.
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Damon Lavrinc 10:37AM (1/31/2007)
EricS2K - Before making false accusations about my abilities, I'd suggest you read over the article again, beginning with power output. The last paragraph, very clearly states that the 220 HP engine is for the NEW iteration of the S2000, NOT the Type-R variant. This new model will compete at a lower price point than the current model and thus, won't be getting all 240 ponies currently found in the last gen. model.
The article states that it's an "upgraded" LSD (guessing a 1.5 way) and that the engine will make use of *lightweight* internals, in an effort to reduce weight all around.
Finally, the stock Potenza RE050s are good tires, but are hardly exotic and no where near what is offered in Japan. If an S2000 Type-R would ever come stateside, we'd expect something of the R-compound variety.
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Justin 1:30PM (1/31/2007)
Wow bill you are completely clueless. This would leave whatever garbage you drive at the line.
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bill 10:09PM (2/02/2007)
Your saying that a honda would beat a 1969 camaro. honda's are cheap economy cars not performace cars.
O BTW IT HAS A FRICKEN 4 CYLINDER ENGINE. ITS DISGRACEFUL.
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Kelly 11:08PM (2/05/2007)
yeah a 2liter engine making 240hp is disgraceful???explain that theory and honda doesnt make there cars to break records they make them to sell. The s2000 is reliable which could be used as a daily driver and gets excellent gas milage. Its also affordable and can still compete with the bigger v8s, I wouldnt call it disgracful id call it great engineering and as far as looks go your not gona get much better lookin car then the s2000. If honda wanted to make a car to beat a 69 camaro im sure with todays technology it would be a joke. Not every1 wants to go in a strait line and get 8mpg.
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