New York Preview: Honda debuting S2000 Club Racer prototype
Honda has issued a short but very sweet press release this afternoon (check it after the jump) informing us that a "club-racer-inspired" version of the S2000 will debut at the 2007 New York Auto Show in a few weeks. Referred to as "aggressively-tuned", the CR-spec S2000 will be an available trim level on the S2000 beginning this fall. This all begs the question, how long is the S2000 for this corporeal world? Rumors still abound a replacement is being readied by Honda that may deviate sharply from the S2000's steadfast formula of being a high-strung, two-seat sports convertible. Unfortunately Honda didn't release an image, teaser pic or even rendering of the S2000 CR-spec, so just imagine this garden variety 2007 model as "aggressively-tuned".
[Source: Honda]
PRESS RELEASE:
Club Racer-Inspired Honda S2000 CR Prototype to Debut at New York International Auto Show
03/13/2007 - TORRANCE, Calif. -
A new club racer-inspired version of the Honda S2000 will take the legendary vehicle's track-worthy performance to an entirely new level when it makes its world debut at the New York International Auto Show on April 4, American Honda Motor Co., Inc., announced today. Engineered around the expectations and needs of Honda performance enthusiasts, the S2000 CR will be available as a new trim level when the aggressively-tuned vehicle goes on sale in the fall of 2007.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Aaron 7:00PM (3/13/2007)
honda themselves consider this a failure in the mass market, so this one will be the apex of that. More expensive, narrower market with better performance.
ZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzz.
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John P. 7:36PM (3/13/2007)
I don't really care how great this car is, it looks downright econobore every time I see one on the streets. Time for a redesign Honda, please?
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ncelk 7:43PM (3/13/2007)
I guess Honda needs something to spice up it's now long in the tooth S2000.
Either redesign it or stop making it at this point.
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TrappSpeed 8:43PM (3/13/2007)
http://www.trappspeed.com/
I don't agree with the last post. Sure, the S2k needs a redesign BADLY, but a clubsport model is a good choice for enthusiasts. Remember, this car has a serious following and they're (Honda) helping out their customer base that likes to race on the weekends by giving them a headstart.
It's a good move, and one that's done by plenty of auto companies right before a major redesign. Look at Mazda, look at Porsche, both opposite ends of the racing spectrum but there are thousands of enthusiastic owners looking to race. So, you get the Miata clubsport and the Porsche GT3...it's a fantastic addition to any racing lineup.
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Reality 8:52PM (3/13/2007)
Rock on Honda...
AND don't dilute the next generation or replacement to boulevard cruiser...
Heritage is important, even if it is not a cash cow...
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Greek Boy 9:05PM (3/13/2007)
The Solstice and Skyy are worlds better in style and price.
No thanks Honda.
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Slurpeeman 9:20PM (3/13/2007)
snore.
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Barney 9:19PM (3/13/2007)
What's with people always wanting a redesign. Porche don't change the appearance of the 911 all the time. This Honda is a beautiful car. It shouldn't be changed. Get a haircut, grow a beard or shave if you have one. You look at yourself in a mirror more often then you would eyeball a S2000.
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Barney 9:21PM (3/13/2007)
What's with people always wanting a redesign. Porche don't change the appearance of the 911 all the time. This Honda is a beautiful car. It shouldn't be changed. Get a haircut, grow a beard or shave if you have one. You look at yourself in a mirror more often then you would eyeball a S2000.
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nolan 9:46PM (3/13/2007)
As most of the posts above prove - North Americans only care about style. That's why we get mostly garbage sports cars here. Solstice and Sky? Barely sports cars - VX220 yes. That's why they're cheap.
Performance is what matters in the case of the S2000. Looks are cheap. I'm excited to see what the changes are.
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Alex 10:10PM (3/13/2007)
The S2000 is amazing. I HATE every other Honda model on the US marketplace, but the S2000 is a true sports car. Feels like it came from a different company really...
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J-Rhyme 10:22PM (3/13/2007)
The s2000 is engineering at its best. More then 100hp from each litre of the 2157cc engine. The only other companys that produce engines like that are ferraris. It may not be the best roadster but certainly unique in it's class.
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Dusty 11:47PM (3/13/2007)
I agree with Alex. I've love the S2000 ever since I first heard word of it back in 1999. There are few cars that have such a clean look and the go-cart ride of the S2000. You can pick one up used with under 30k miles for about $20k too. In addition to the 9k RPM redline...they're very reliable. As my 330Ci gets a bit older, I'd love to pick one up used.
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bob 12:02AM (3/14/2007)
The only question I have for those that bash the S2000 is "HAVE YOU EVER DRIVEN THE VEHICLE?" I am going to bet that 9 outta 10 "anti Japanese redneck pro American car regardless if it's crap and unreliable" poster on here hasn't driven the car.
For what it is and for what it costs, it's one hell of a fun car to drive if you want a great sportster.
Yeah, complaints about it being long in the tooth are valid and so are ones that claim that Honda needs to do a better job in putting out more accessible sports car, but then again you have to look at Honda's success and say "they are doing something right" regardless of some of the bare spots in their lineup.
Anyways, I'll you ball scratching car experts go back to bashing Honda and anything not American.
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bob 12:03AM (3/14/2007)
The only question I have for those that bash the S2000 is "HAVE YOU EVER DRIVEN THE VEHICLE?" I am going to bet that 9 outta 10 "anti Japanese redneck pro American car regardless if it's crap and unreliable" poster on here hasn't driven the car.
For what it is and for what it costs, it's one hell of a fun car to drive if you want a great sportster.
Yeah, complaints about it being long in the tooth are valid and so are ones that claim that Honda needs to do a better job in putting out more accessible sports car, but then again you have to look at Honda's success and say "they are doing something right" regardless of some of the bare spots in their lineup.
Anyways, I'll you ball scratching car experts go back to bashing Honda and anything not American.
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daniel 8:15PM (3/14/2007)
why couldn't honda do a little more than 1 paragraph? teaser pictures? a few tech specs? This is only one month away!!!
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andalib danandeh 2:19AM (3/14/2007)
has anyone seen the pictures of a rare s2000 in japan, they are not fake, there is also a SPOON racing version. FOREAL, i hope that's going to be the club racing CR version
http:/www.youtube.com/bmwyou
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cellularcoffee 12:42PM (3/14/2007)
I have owned the Honda S2000 and I don't think it is a good car. Even when it came out, it used to get mistaken for Mazda Miata....sad.
Driving dynamics maybe good for the track (which I never went) but it is punishing from day-to-day driving. The engine is too loud, have you driven one at or above 6500rpm? It hurts your eardrums so much, you just want to ease off the pedal. The 6-speed transmission is not as smooth as the old Honda 5-speed nor the Mazda 6-speed on the RX-8.
Anyway, the only good thing about the S2000 is the heritage and it was built in the same factory as the NSX.
Don't buy new. Buy a used one with low mileage at around $16000 as a second car.
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ZAMBONO 2:52AM (3/14/2007)
I miss my s2k. I had an encounter with a light pole, lol. Now I have been waiting for the NSX replacement, but if honda continues to dissapoint I might just hve to get the gt-r. Oh, and the sky and solstice are fugly, sky full of chrome everywhere, and seats that look like a joke, and solstice just looks like a puppy of sorts.
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cheezwiz 9:36AM (3/14/2007)
"aggressively tuned?" Does this mean that Honda is going to start producing pre-2004/AP1 models again? Sweet! It's time to retake the HP/L title.
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