fizzbitt Posted March 15, 2007 Report Share Posted March 15, 2007 Ever wondered what might result if Honda gave its S2000 the Type-R treatment? Well, you might be about to find out. The Japanese marquee has just confirmed that among the cars it will be showing at April's New York show will be a hotter version of its eight-year-old roadster; it'll be called the S2000 CR and, says Honda, will take the car's performance "to an entirely new level." Official information on the more hardcore S2000 is likely to be scarce until its unveiling on April 4. All Honda has said about it so far is that it's "club racer-inspired," "aggressively tuned," and has been "engineered around the expectations and needs of Honda performance enthusiasts." So how is Honda likely to achieve the added aggression? Given its preference of atmospheric over forced-induction engines, a turbocharger probably isn't on the cards. It's more likely that the company will apply its latest VTEC valve timing technology to the car's standard 237bhp 2.0-litre motor, which, allied to upgraded induction and exhaust systems, should boost headline power up beyond 260bhp. Added to that will be power-to-weight ratio gains achieved through weight saving. Aluminium body panels, aluminium updates to the car's 'X-Bone' body structure, the removal of the cars air conditioning and part of its audio system, and the substitution of its leather seats for lighter, manually-adjusted buckets, could save as much as 100kg from the car's 1260kg kerbweight. All that means that, while the standard S2000 has a power-to-weight ratio of 188bhp per tonne, this more track-focussed one could have 225bhp per tonne. Special circuit-biased tyres, lighter alloy wheels and a stiffer chassis are also racing certainties. The new S2000 'CR' is going on sale in the US this autumn. If it came to the UK – and there's no official word as yet that it will – it would be likely to be badged S2000 Type-R. One Honda UK spokesmen we spoke said that the car wasn't yet part of the European product plan for the next 18 months. He did confirm, however, that all S2000s are built in the same factory in Tochigi, Japan, that the car has several years of production still to run before any replacement is due, and that a Type-R version would be a great way to inject some fresh dynamism into the mix later on. www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsGallery.aspx?AR=224477&EL=-1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D1MAC Posted March 15, 2007 Report Share Posted March 15, 2007 Now that would be the business - get it up to around 270-275bhp and weight down as suggested and tweak the handling again and it would fly (well, relatively). However, I can't help thinking that it won't quite as suggested given that Honda is gently creeping away from it's prior ethos. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fizzbitt Posted March 15, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 15, 2007 well its believed that this will be an end of run special edition... hopefully to go out with a bang.. but we shall see. I love all things type-R.. NSX-R being at the top of my list. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arch Posted March 15, 2007 Report Share Posted March 15, 2007 Ooh, I like the sound of that. I'm red H through and through. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thorburn Posted March 18, 2007 Report Share Posted March 18, 2007 Now that sounds interesting. My post uni plan was to buy a 'sensible' 4 seater and run it alongside my MX-5, but talking to my dad I may just get insured on his 528i and buy a quicker 2-seater, in which case an early S2000 or an Elise would be in budget. If they make a hardcore version then in a few years I'd certainly be tempted! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fizzbitt Posted April 5, 2007 Author Report Share Posted April 5, 2007 NEW YORK, April 4, 2007 - The club racer-inspired 2008 Honda S2000 CR Prototype making its world debut at the New York International Auto Show introduces a higher level of track-worthy performance and style to the S2000 roadster, American Honda Co. Inc., announced today today. The S2000 CR will be available as an entirely new S2000 trim level when it goes on sale in the fall of 2007. The lighter, stiffer and more aggressive overall design is engineered to maximize the S2000's potential on a racetrack with the goal of substantially improving track times, chassis balance and feel. The factory-tuned roadster provides highly aggressive suspension settings, increased body and chassis rigidity, overall weight reduction and an aerodynamic body kit dialed-in for reduced lift. An aluminum hardtop replaces the convertible soft top as standard equipment. "The S2000 CR is the closest thing you can get to a Honda-built racecar with license plate holders and a horn," said John Mendel, executive vice president of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "Its features and equipment are designed to appeal to weekend club racing enthusiasts." The full-body aerodynamic package reduces lift through large and highly tuned front and rear spoilers. Exclusive chassis features include a quicker steering ratio, Bridgestone Potenza RE070 tires, a wider rear tire size, firmer springs and dampers, larger stabilizer bars and a new wheel design in a dark gray color. Substantial structural bracing has been added to the storage area previously occupied by the soft top, resulting in additional rigidity. The aluminum hard top replaces the soft top of the conventional S2000, resulting in an overall weight savings of approximately 90 pounds when removed (relative to the current S2000). The exclusive interior is highlighted by unique cloth seating surfaces with yellow stitching, a unique spherical aluminum shifter and carbon fiber style trim panels. Air conditioning and an AM/FM Stereo with CD player are optional equipment. Standard features for the S2000 include 17-inch aluminum alloy wheels, ABS and Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA). While VSA serves to effectively enhance driver control during acceleration, braking, and cornering, the system can be disabled with the touch of a button when conditions warrant it. Widely considered the quintessential roadster-style sports car, the S2000 is the performance icon for the Honda brand and combines uncompromising racetrack-ready performance with everyday usability. The S2000 rewards driving enthusiasts with a potent 2.2-liter, 16-valve DOHC VTEC® 4-cylinder engine and a precise, short throw 6-speed manual transmission, along with tenacious handling and a perfect 50/50 weight balance. The renowned high-revving engine delivers 237 horsepower at 7,800 rpm and 162 lb-ft of torque at 6,800 rpm. Perfectly complimenting the engine's output characteristics is a compact, longitudinally-mounted, close-ratio 6-speed manual transmission that features a direct linkage for precise shifting and quick throws. Combined with a front and rear double wishbone suspension, precise electric power steering, and a torque-sensing limited slip differential, the end result is a complete, no compromise, performance package for the enthusiast driver. http://www.vtec.net/news/news-item?news_item_id=671234 Love spoiler.. I think the colour is quite off putting though. Front bumper looks weird from a couple of angles... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fizzbitt Posted April 5, 2007 Author Report Share Posted April 5, 2007 more pictures here... http://www.hondanews.com/categories/904/search/videos?q=S2000+CR&s=honda&pp=48 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lottiefox Posted April 5, 2007 Report Share Posted April 5, 2007 I'm liking that.....how much will it be? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fizzbitt Posted April 5, 2007 Author Report Share Posted April 5, 2007 Well from what i can gather its a USDM inspired motor.. so not sure... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fizzbitt Posted April 5, 2007 Author Report Share Posted April 5, 2007 Personally speaking with regards to the design... Dont like the rims ... front bumper... colour... side skirts... Love the spoiler... the interior looks good... and the hard top i like as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D1MAC Posted April 5, 2007 Report Share Posted April 5, 2007 [ QUOTE ] I'm liking that.....how much will it be? [/ QUOTE ] Really? Looks like a poor example of a ricer to me and destroys the purity of the std shape. As for that spoiler - Still, each to their own Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fizzbitt Posted April 12, 2007 Author Report Share Posted April 12, 2007 [ QUOTE ] We spoke with Gary Robinson (S2000 Product Planner) last week at the special media reveal for the 2008 Honda S2000 CR. Gary filled us in on a lot of the details regarding the S2000 CR. [/ QUOTE ] http://www.vtec.net/news/news-item?news_item_id=672417 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrianFD3S Posted April 12, 2007 Report Share Posted April 12, 2007 That is truly horrible looking. Compared with this, Honda have ruined it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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