| THE NEW HONDA S-2000 - DESCRIPTION S-2000: The Ultimate roadster
S-2000 was released to celebrate the company's' 50th anniversary and is designed to reflect the company's exemplary tradition in sportscars and its rich motospirit heritage: a thoroughbred sprortscar crammed with racing-derived technology in other words. In particular, Honda sees it as the spiritual successor to the S800 sprortscar launched in 1965; indeed the Honda S-2000 is the first front-engine, rear-wheel drive Honda since that model.
Aimed at the sports car purist, its traditional configuration is underpinned in true Honda style by innovative, race-bred technology that is guaranteed to stir the emotion of performance motoring enthusiast everywhere.
Styling is purposeful, yet elegant. With an arrow-like nose, sweeping headlamp covers and ultra-low bonnet line, the Honda S-2000 has real on-the-road presence. Taut flanks that flare our to tightly hug the front wheels signal its performance potential.
The cockpit-like interior features a mall, leather-wrapped steering wheel, supportive leather seats and Formula-1 inspired digital instrumentation designed to convey the high-tech, high-revving nature of the new Honda engine. The electronic tachometer and speedometer illuminate once the ignition key is turned, but the engine is actually fired by a push button started - a feature that will appeal to all motoring enthusiasts.
At its heart, lies an extraordinary, spine-tingling four cylinder 2.0-liter DOHC VTEC engine that spins all the way to 9,000rpm before hitting the rev limit. At 120 PS/litre, its specific output is greater than any naturally aspirated engine on the market and yet, incredibly, it conforms to some of the toughest emissions legislation in the world. It is dubbed a 'high performance eco engine' and propels the Honda S-2000 from 0 to 100 km/h in just 6.2 seconds and on to a top speed of 241 km/h. It is also remarkably flexible even at low speeds thanks to the latest generation of Honda's VTEC variable valve timing.
A light-weight six speed manual transmission with short-throw shift action, compact electric power steering, anti-lock braking with electronic brake force distribution, and torque-sensing limited slip differential as a guard against wheelspin in tight corners complete the technologically-advanced specification.
The Honda S-2000 has already picked up several awards. Only to mention that 17 of the finest motoring journalists from 10 different countries voted it "Cabrio of the Year" at the 1999 Geneva International Motor Show.
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S2000 Roadster 
