Cars - Honda S2000

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	Cars - Honda S2000

The Honda S2000 is a roadster automobile hand assembled by Honda. The car continues a tradition of lightweight roadster 'S' cars such as the S600 and S800. Like previous 'S' cars, the name of the S2000 comes from its displacement of approximately 2000 cm³. The S2000 was launched in April of 1999. From its inception in 1999 to 2003, S2000s were manufactured in Honda's Tochigi plant. S2000s since then have been manufactured in the Suzuka plant.

Platform

The rear wheel drive platform surprised many in the industry, since Honda only produced one other rear wheel drive car, the flagship NSX. The remainder of Honda's consumer cars are primarily front wheel drive. The S2000 does follow the tradition of the previous 'S' cars which were all rear wheel drive.

Notable in the S2000 is the racing-technology inspired X-bone monocoque frame suspension, which provides a significant amount of rigidity to the car. This improves handling under strenuous conditions and improves dependability of the steering.

Power is delivered to the rear wheels via a torsen limited slip differential mated to a six-speed manual transmission. Special Bridgestone Potenza S-02 (ES02JZ*) for the AP1 (Model years 00-03) and RE050 (E050MZ) tires for the AP2 (Model years 04-05) were designed specifically for the car and featured a wide contact patch to improve cornering ability. Other technological features included double wishbone suspension, electronically-assisted steering, and integrated roll hoops.

Standard power amenities include an electric top that takes 6 seconds to operate, touted as the fastest opening top among all convertibles. The low maintenance costs and relatively good luggage space (by roadster standards) increase the flexibility of the S2000 and enables it to be used as a daily driver.

The 2004 model brought changes in wheels and tires, with 17" wheels and Bridgestone RE-050 tires, and a stiffer suspension which drastically tamed the car's tendency to oversteer. The suspension change brought criticism from handling experts and enthusiasts alike (see Criticism). Another big change was the inclusion of a clutch release delay valve to preserve the drivetrain, but many enthusiasts and club racers remove the delay or replace the slave cylinder with the previous 1999-2003 part to achieve crisp, immediate shifts without clutch slippage at high rpms.

Cosmetic changes were made to the exterior in 2004 with a new front and rear bumpers, revised headlight assemblies, new LED taillights, and oval-tipped exhausts.

The 2006 model introduced a drive by wire throttle, as well as a Vehicle Stability Assist system (VSA), which helps to prevent the car from dangerously spinning. This system could be switched on and off by the driver. Interior changes included revised seats that had stereo speakers integrated into them and headrest padding where previous seats had helmet depressions and screens. The exterior received a new wheel design.

The ES02JZ tyres are not the same as other Bridgestone S02.

see http://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=301506&st=0&#entry5798518

Powertrain

The first S2000s came equipped with a F20C engine block, 1997 cm³, inline-4 engine producing 240 hp (179 kW) at 8300 rpm and 153 ft·lb (208 Nm) torque at 7500 rpm, though the Japanese domestic models were quoted with additional 10 hp (at 250 PS) due to a small difference in engine compression ratio. Because of its high-revving nature (9000 rpm redline in 2000-03 or AP1 models and 8300 rpm in 2004 onwards or AP2 models), it is one of the few naturally-aspirated engines which produces over 100 hp/L (75 kW/L). Other engines include the 3.6 L V8 engine in the Ferrari 360 Modena which produces 112 hp/L (84 kW/L), the Nissan SR16VE N1 (123 HP/L), as well as the DC2 & DC5 Honda Integra Type R (108.3 and 110 hp/L respectively) and Civic Type R (115 hp/L). The compact and lightweight high-revving engine allows the S2000 to obtain an ideal front/rear weight balance and low rotational inertia for exceptional corner turn-ins and maneuvrability, while not sacrificing peak power.

One controversial feature of the S2000 (primarily in North American markets) is the requirement to keep it in VTEC (above 6,000 rpm) to maintain its powerband. Because of this requirement, the car is unable to obtain "normal" (for a 2L 4-cylinder compact) fuel efficiency during the latter third of its power band (6,000 &ndashl 9,000 rpm). Additionally, while it is required to maintain these rpm ranges to make power, it is more damaging for the motor itself. It may also be strenuous for the driver, who would be required to make frequent and rapid gear changes to keep the car in the VTEC power band.

[ Visit the complete Wikipedia entry for Honda S2000 ]

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Cars - Honda S2000

Platform

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