Is Honda’s iconoclastic and free-revving roadster, the S2000, making a long-awaited comeback? Honda has just teased us with an image on their Twitter account, a cryptic but exciting rendering of a reworked S2K dubbed the Honda S2000 20th Anniversary Prototype set to be unveiled at the 2020 Tokyo Motor Salon. Is this the long-awaited announcement of the rebirth of this sportscar legend? Or is Honda merely reminding us of their short-lived but long-remembered marvel?
Gone but Not Forgotten
It’s hard to believe that it’s been almost 11 years since the S2000 departed the sportscar scene. In its relatively short lifespan, this taut and tactile 2-seat roadster redefined what can be accomplished by intensely focusing on one goal: to create a true road warrior without compromises. Its silky VTEC jewel of an engine would rev sky high and sound like it came from Maranello not Minato, and the oiled mechanical precision of its transcendent 6-speed manual turned every shift into a blissful moment. From its titanium connecting rods to its perfect 50/50 weight distribution, the S2000 made no compromises and took no prisoners.
Flicker of a Hope
Sportscar fanatics and automobile enthusiasts alike have been mourning the death of the S2000 and begging and pleading with Honda to bring it back, as evidenced by numerous renderings of what they envisioned a new S2000 would look like. When the new NSX was announced, hopes grew that Honda would bring back its little sibling in due time as well, but alas it’s been mostly silence on the part of Honda ... until now.
Evolution of a Legend
Honda’s teaser image and announcement of the so called “prototype” is warming the hearts of many a S2000 fan who have been out in the cold for far too long. Sporting a freshened front fascia, headlights and side sills, it looks radiant but not radically different, and that’s not a bad thing. Although far from certain to reach production status, Honda has traditionally been keen to hearken back to its glorious past, so we can take some comfort in that knowledge as we eagerly await more news about where this prototype is headed.
Source: Jalopnik