Honda Wants A New S2000 But Knows People Won't Be Able To Afford It
Just over a quarter-century ago, the S2000 arrived as a laser-focused roadster from Honda. It lasted for a decade, from 1999 through 2009, and we didn't realize just how lucky we were during that time.
Key Points
- Prelude chief engineer Tomoyuki Yamagami said he’d “like to build another S2000 someday,” describing it as a car “every Honda employee loves,” though he confirmed there are no active plans to bring it back.
- Yamagami emphasized that any future S2000 would be wholly developed by Honda, not through a joint venture like the Toyota 86/Subaru BRZ, to preserve the brand’s driving DNA.
- Honda already faces feedback that the upcoming Prelude is “too expensive.”
The S2000 became loved for its high-revving engine, rear-wheel drive layout, minimal distractions, and rewarding dynamics.
According to a report from Australia's Drive, Tomoyuki Yamagami—the chief engineer behind the new Honda Prelude—said he would “like to build another S2000 someday.” Yamagami-san described the S2000 as “a car that every Honda employee loves,” and one that, if revived, would need to maintain Honda’s DNA and Honda's DNA only.
The engineer pointed out that if Honda tried to co-develop an S2000 revival alongside another manufacturer—think Toyota Supra/BMW Z or Toyota 86/Subaru BRZ—it would likely stray too far from what Honda envisions an S2000 successor should be. Unfortunately, if Honda chooses to go at it alone, the price would climb so high that the revived roadster would be utterly unaffordable for the target audience.
In the S2000's final U.S. model year in 2009, it started at about US $35,705 (including destination). When adjusted for inflation, that works out to roughly US $56,700 today, which would place it among cars like the Nissan Z Heritage Edition, Ford Mustang GT Premium, or the Toyota GR Supra.
When it was fresh, the S2000 featured a 2.0-litre F20C inline-four engine that revved to 9,000 rpm and yielded about 237–240 hp. That was followed by the “AP2” refresh, which in many markets substituted a 2.2-litre F22C for more torque but dropped the redline by about a grand. Overall production exceeded 110,000 units globally, with more than half of those sold in the United States.
Unfortunately, just because there is an internal desire doesn't mean there is an actual plan from Honda to resurrect the S2000 nameplate, and cost is the culprit. “I think you have the right understanding that the conventional sports car is very expensive [to design, develop, and build], and the younger generation cannot afford [to buy them]," Yamagami-san was quoted as saying.
“[A] sports car, which has fewer quantity of production, that causes [high] prices.
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An experienced automotive storyteller and accomplished photographer known for engaging and insightful content. Michael also brings a wealth of technical knowledge—he was part of the Ford GT program at Multimatic, oversaw a fleet of Audi TCR race cars, ziptied Lamborghini Super Trofeo cars back together, been over the wall during the Rolex 24, and worked in the intense world of IndyCar.
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Cut costs by building the same, identical, car! Not everyone wants all the ridiculous, expensive, overload of unnecessary electronics. I'd definitely be up for a new/old S2000. My current summer ride is a 2003 Mercedes CLK320 convertible. It's my favorite car because it has virtually NO ELECTRONICS and ALMOST NO NANNIES! Build a car for drivers and not videophiles!
Just like the NSX and Prelude, Honda lost the plot when they brought them back. They packed in all kinds of tech that no true driver wants and it jacked the price way up. I had the OG versions of both the Prelude and NSX back when they were driver focused sports cars. I would love a new one of each, but that is not what Honda builds anymore.