New Honda S2000 Offers An Enhanced Driving Experience

The distinctive blend of purist sportscar layout – rear wheel drive, front-engined two seater roadster – and advanced race bred technology – high X-bone chassis frame and potent 240 PS 2.0 litre race-bred VTEC engine mated to a six-speed gearbox – have made the Honda S2000 highly desirable around the world. Now that package is about to get even better thanks to a series of chassis revisions aimed at delivering greater stability, responsiveness and ride comfort, together with a whole range of styling changes and detail refinements.

Package of improvements for even more driving fun

It is in the dynamic characteristics of the chassis that the current Honda S2000 and the new ’04 model differ most significantly. Sharper, more predictable handling for an even more enjoyable driving experience results from a number of key changes to the suspension set-up and body structure: Honda has set out to improve grip levels, while simultaneously providing greater precision and more benign chassis responses, particularly during at-the-limit driving.

Already noted for its outstanding rigidity characteristics, the Honda S2000’s bodyshell has been further stiffened to play its part in the improved chassis dynamics. Enhancements include a new performance strut between the two ends of the front frame and ahead of the radiator; together with additional bracing applied to the front suspension upper arm brackets, the rear wheel arch/bulkhead area, and the front cross member. Subtle changes to the rear suspension include strengthened upper arm bushes.

Springs and dampers are now stiffer at the front and softer in the rear suspension, while the rear anti-roll bar is reduced in diameter by 1.8mm. Bump steer characteristics in the rear suspension meanwhile have been reduced for greater stability and roadholding. This has been achieved by reducing the level of toe-in both during bump compression, and in the neutral wheel position, while the rear roll centre is now lowered by 9 mm.