Rumormill: Front-wheel drive, hybrid Honda S2000 "replacement" coming in 2012
The latest reports out of Japan could spell bad news for Honda S2000 enthusiasts the world over. According the Best Car, the rear-wheel drive roadster's replacement will likely ditch Honda's high-revving F20C in favor of the second-generation hybrid drivetrain slated to be fitted to the Accord, and further, the gasoline-electric mill will be driving the front wheels.
Although we've been hearing rumors about the S2000's successor for a few years, Honda hasn't provided any indication about if and where the new model is headed. Best Car contends that the new convertible – likely to be fitted with a retractable hard-top – will slot in above the all-new Honda CR-Z due to debut in production form at this year's Tokyo Motor Show. If that's the case, we suspect the next S2000 will be marketed as more of a boulevard cruiser than a back-road bomber, and that could mean that it might be sold as an Acura if it arrives in the States at all. If it does land here badged as a Honda, might we suggest calling it Del Sol instead?
[Source: Best Car via 7Tune]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)
Corey 2:31PM (7/15/2009)
There is no such thing as a "FWD" S2000 replacement.
Reply
TyWright 2:35PM (7/15/2009)
exactly.
stupid.
rwd or nuttin
geo.stewart 2:43PM (7/15/2009)
aaack.
moving parts issues not withstanding, that vehicle is horrific.
the only thing that succeeds is the solara or the SC450 conv. and a little too much peugot
Franz 2:53PM (7/15/2009)
Couldn't say it any better. I actually swore out loud when I read the headline.
adrian 2:57PM (7/15/2009)
This is what happens when marketing and accountants are calling the shots instead of engineers.
timwang2006 2:58PM (7/15/2009)
And please keep the Acura styling to Acura, or better yet, kill it off all together.
Aki 3:13PM (7/15/2009)
It better not be called Sxxxx. Call it a Del Sol or something.
That rendering isn't by Honda, it's by Best Car. I wouldn't put any weight on it, as they're never even close to the real thing.
Other Man 3:55PM (7/15/2009)
Exactly.
This is no replacement for the S2000. This just happens to be a coupe that's priced where the S2000 used to.
el-indiano 4:37PM (7/15/2009)
FAIL
dougjp 4:37PM (7/15/2009)
Another decision by the folks that brought us "the shield" grills which ushered in some of the biggest monthly comparative percentage sales drops of any Company.
Well they can call it anything they want, how about "a POS"?
J Who 5:03PM (7/15/2009)
FWD S2000 = Oxymoron
fmwso 7:33PM (7/15/2009)
I second everything you all said... this thing looks horrible.
Kiiks 7:36PM (7/15/2009)
Yeah, I think the rumor-mongers might have gotten this one wrong. Honda has better sense than to neuter the S name. They have plenty of unused FWD nameplates to resurrect for this kind of vehicle (Prelude, Integra, etc) and if it's gonna be a beak-nosed Acura they can always make one up (FSX, HAX, SUX...)
A proper successor to the awesome but undersold S2000 might not be immediately forthcoming, but this is not it.
Charger06RT 9:58PM (7/15/2009)
Yep.... I'm not an import guy, but I whole heartedly agree. Keep it RWD. Keep it simple. People like simple.
Franny 6:03PM (7/16/2009)
+1
A FWD hybrid is not an s2000 replacement
naggs 2:53AM (7/17/2009)
only reason the s2000 did not sell is because there was not a coupe version
if it was an option, it would have accounted for 60% of sales
Mike7 2:33PM (7/15/2009)
Are there no more car enthusiasts in the high ranks of mainstream car companies anymore? A FWD hybrid car being called the successor to the truly great S600 and S2000 sports cars is blasphemy!
Reply
mapoftazifosho 2:35PM (7/15/2009)
No kidding. Build it, but don't call it an S2000...
ronEbear 3:03PM (7/15/2009)
Prelude comes to mind.
Gary 4:16PM (7/15/2009)
With all their market share now, it goes to tell you that Japanese manufacturers aren't listening to their customers. :-)
/The pendulum is swinging the other way.