Honda To Challenge Fiat 124 And Mazda MX-5 With New S2000 - Which One Is Your Money Resting On?

Introduced in 1999, the original version of the Japanese manufacturer’s two-seat roadster garnered a reputation for its strong powertrain and lively handling, but the second edition of the car was axed in 2009.

Now a third generation is said to be under development as Honda tries to reconnect with the S2000’s dedicated fan base. Representatives from Honda’s advanced engineering department are said to have attended a recent S2000 owners’ club event in the British Isles - a sign that the firm wants to listen to enthusiasts in order to help it to position the next version of the car accurately.

valhallakey - 12/7/2015 4:52:33 PM

+7 Boost

I hope fiat differentiates the 124 with a hot Abarth version...200-250hp, great handling and nice tasteful visual upgrades. On the other hand if Honda can recreate/improve on the S2000 at a lower cost I would not bet against it.

PUGPROUD - 12/7/2015 5:06:24 PM

+1 Boost

Have owned Miatas in the past to teach my sons how to drive stick and proper car control. Great cars and hard to beat. Also owned an S2000...a
great high reving wild child. I suspect Honda will be a fantastic car but quite a different animal from an MX-5. Different strokes for different folks. Same with Abarth. Take your pick based on personal taste.

Car4life1 - 12/7/2015 5:57:30 PM

+10 Boost

S 2000 all day, I hope this signals a return to passion and performance for the Honda brand that eventually rubs off on their premium marque Acura

Dexter1 - 12/7/2015 7:44:47 PM

-4 Boost

Honda is now putting a version of the Acura Beak on their cars? It has been a huge failure for Acura. Why would the Honda brand fu*k up what could be a real winner with that god-awful appendage that everyone absolutely hates?

MDarringer - 12/7/2015 9:22:42 PM

-10 Boost

Given the crapstorm the last S2000 was...reluctantly I'll go with the Fiat.

The S2000's engine had to have the hoily hell revved out of it to make it fast when the V6 out of the Accord would have been 1000% better. The handling was middling because Honda knows nothing about tuning and refuses to learn. That's Honda's idiocy.

Mazda's idiocy is the stubborn refusal to put real power into the Miata for people who are not afraid of power. Given how rabidly invested Miata lovers are in being Captain Slow, Mazda is out.

That leaves Fiat. Throw in the Alfa 4C's engine and rake in the sales.

runninglogan1 - 12/7/2015 10:23:47 PM

+12 Boost

S2000 had middling handling? Put a big heavy V6 into a nimble roadster? Lol. I can sense a collective eye roll.

MDarringer - 12/7/2015 10:50:27 PM

-7 Boost

@runninglogan1 You clearly lack any valid knowledge. The Honda V6 of the day was hardly "big" or "heavy". The S2000 is easily out-handled. I've driven them. They are simply not rewarding compared to other machinery.

Terry989 - 12/8/2015 2:12:39 AM

+8 Boost

Matt, you certainly are living up to you well deserved reputation of being an idiot and the biggest Moron on this site. The S2000 great handling, fun to drive sports car. #BanMattTheMoron

freeagent - 12/7/2015 9:46:45 PM

+1 Boost

S2000 also needs a coupe version to get the volume required for profitability

MDarringer - 12/7/2015 10:51:00 PM

-5 Boost

It needs an engine that has gobs of torque and power.

W208 - 12/8/2015 12:34:45 PM

+1 Boost

Gobs of torque is useless if the car is not suited for it. The original CTS-V and the Cobra SVT SC were two of the worst offenders, wheel hopping like Jack Russell Terriers on launch.

The E92 M3 V8 is proof enough that low torque and high revs for small sport coupes makes sense.

cidflekken - 12/8/2015 6:52:46 PM

+3 Boost

LOL. It didn't need anything. Considering that 10-year-old S2000's with tons of mileage are selling for essentially the same list price from 10 years ago, I'd say its "middling handling" and lack of "gobs of torque" is not a problem in the least.

Runamukk - 12/7/2015 11:07:30 PM

+10 Boost

I gotta say I think the original S2000 was one of the most pure, best handling, most fun cars of all time. Also, the small displacement high revving normally aspirated four cylinder was a marvel in and of itself at the time...more please!

mini22 - 12/8/2015 10:43:06 AM

+2 Boost

It sounds like this is not happening any time soon. First there does not appear to be a suitable platform at the moment. Second the narrow profit margins on these types of vehicles make it difficult to not share production and or platform costs with another car maker. Honda should simply go back to competing with the Mercedes and BMW roadsters through the Acura brand. They just need to make it an attractive design. Honda does not have the platform nor the profitability margin to build a RWD roadster to sell in the mid to high 20's right now.

cidflekken - 12/8/2015 6:56:11 PM

+2 Boost

Honda/Acura needs to commit to this and not look back. Bring back a legit S2000 successor as an Acura, along with a baby NSX, and take on the Boxsters and Carreras. Next, bring on some CL coupes to get back in the game.
For the Honda brand, keep focusing on regaining cred with the Civic Si and Type-R. I would love to see Honda take a risk on a Jeep Wrangler challenger just to see what they come up with and how buyers would respond.

skytop - 12/8/2015 8:56:34 PM

+1 Boost

Unlike the new NSX, this S2000 is fresh and gorgeous.

mini22 - 12/10/2015 6:48:12 PM

+1 Boost

They need to share a platform with another automaker. Then it might make financial sense. Also I hope if they do it that it looks better than the Acura NSX. That car is ugly and is over technoed.