2003 Honda S2000

With a corporate design culture that prides itself on pushing technology, the S2000 roadster is the perfect image leader for Honda. While other manufacturers tend to escalate engine size in the pursuit of performance, Honda's approach is more minimalistic. And it makes the rear-drive S2000 possibly the most unusual sports car available today—at any price.

Like a good racecar, the S2000 will do what you ask it to. So be careful what you ask for.

The S2000's unique nature stems partly from its compact size and light 2,809-pound curb weight; the S2000's defining feature, though, is its small 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine. Drawing on the latest and greatest of Honda's combined automotive and motorcycle production and racing technology, the S2000 engine generates a spectacular amount of power out of very little displacement. At its power peak, the S2000 makes and amazing 240 horsepower. Just for perspective, if an 8.0-liter Dodge Viper made that kind of horsepower per liter, it would develop an insane 960 horses (instead of the merely 450 horses it actually makes).


This little Honda is one hard-working engine—and it generates its copious power without the aid of turbos or supercharging. The key here is the ability to breathe freely at ultra-high rpm levels where other engines have begun to wheeze (if not explode). This all-aluminum engine features a short-stroke design and dual overhead cams that actuate VTEC valvegear, which in turn adjusts the valve opening for best performance at any given rpm. Designed from the outset to turn revs that would tear more conventional engines apart, the S2000 powerplant sounds smooth and happy (if not relaxed) during aggressive redline dashes.


With the redline set at a motorcycle-like 9,000 rpm, the S2000 thrives on revs—the more the better. The peak power hits at 8,300 rpm, and peak torque of 153 lb.-ft. (not a big number) materializes at 7,500 rpm. So if you've got the driving temperament of an attention-deficit seven-year-old running rich on Mountain Dew, you'll just love this Honda. Drop the hammer at redline from a dead stop, then pound the S2000 through the gears with quick-flick redline shifts and you'll hit 60 mph in a bit over five seconds—very quick indeed.

The cockpit layout is all-business?highly efficient and effective.

Conversely, if you've got more conventional mental wiring, you'll miss most of the fun. Shift by ear using normal sensibilities and the Honda's 0-60 mph time can easily stretch beyond 10 seconds—time enough for you to wonder what's supposed to be so great about this car. If you're into the immediate torque that only a bigger-displacement roadster can offer (Camaro, Corvette, Boxter and that ilk), the S2000 will leave you unmoved.