New Honda S2000 may (?) be on the way

[mmcartalk]

Honda may do something quite interesting for its 70th birthday. Check this out.

http://blog.caranddriver.com/rumor-honda-to-celebrate-its-70th-anniversary-with-new-s2000-roadster/

Talk of a new Honda sports car will not die. Although we now know that the tiny S660 roadster will not come to America, and a speculated mid-engine sports car positioned below the Acura NSX is probably not happening, the prospect of a reborn S2000 roadster is gaining steam. And it could arrive in 2018, as the company’s present to itself for its 70th anniversary.

There’s a certain symmetry to that, considering that Honda first launched the S2000 in 1998, to celebrate its 50th anniversary. For the 70th, we could be looking at both a new car and a commemorative two-wheeler, as well. “Based on the company’s MotoGP contender, the bike will be a detuned, roadgoing version of the RC213V-S,” says our source. “As for the car, expect something special. Size-wise, it’ll be similar to the Mazda MX-5 Miata, but the Honda will have a lot more power.”

Skeptics may note that Honda does not have a platform for a compact, rear-wheel-drive sports car. But our insider tells us to not overlook what the company has done with its S660 mini-coupe and the all-new NSX supercar. “Both those coupes have unique, dedicated platforms, right?” he says. Spot on.

His statement reminded us of a comment made by one Acura executive at the 2014 Detroit auto show. When asked if Honda were planning a smaller sports car to slot in under the NSX, the executive nodded and said he does want such a car, but that it would not appear before 2017.

One more snippet that points to a new sports car is Acura’s Precision concept unveiled at this year’s Detroit show. Sitting on a dedicated rear-drive platform, this look into the near future hinted at a coupe powered by a front-mounted 2.0-liter turbocharged engine with one rear-mounted motor and two front motors employing a torque-vectoring system.

The S2000 successor, which is expected to weigh less than 2900 pounds, will be powered by a slightly detuned version of the Civic Type R’s 2.0-liter turbo. That engine is made in the U.S.A.—and the car will be, too. To keep costs down, Honda has decided to build it alongside the NSX at its specialized Performance Manufacturing Center in Ohio.

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“A large complement of R&D staff from Japan are already in Ohio working on the car,” says our source, adding, “They have more time now that the NSX is finished.”

 

[oem_is300]

Until something official comes out this continues to be just speculation, but I would love to see an S2000 successor. With the reviews the ND Miata and FRS/BRZ have gotten, this could really get to be a fun segment.

 

[mmcartalk]

Until something official comes out this continues to be just speculation, but I would love to see an S2000 successor. With the reviews the ND Miata and FRS/BRZ have gotten, this could really get to be a fun segment.

Yes, I agree that at least part of it is speculation. That's why I said (may) and put an (?) in the thread title. Car and Driver magazine, though, often has references to credible sources in the corporate structure....it is not just an automotive gossip-piece.

 

[supra93]

Baby Honda NSX Reveals Its Interior In Patent Images

Word about an alleged ‘baby’ Honda NSX has been limited in the last 12 months and with no official talk about the car from Honda itself, it seemed the project may have been dead in the water.

However, a number of new patent images have been published by the European Union Intellectual Property Office and Auto Guide which highlight the interior of the upcoming sports car, allegedly dubbed the ZSX.

The images show that the car has an interior layout with obvious similarities to the current NSX, including a familiar center console design and dashboard. Perhaps what stands out the most is the Formula One-inspired steering wheel and bucket seats which appear to be fixed to the monocoque and flow seamlessly into the doors.

The exterior of the car depicted is pretty much identical to what patent images revealed in August 2016 and that’s certainly no bad thing with the car adopting styling cues from the NSX but shrinking them down into a smaller package.

If the car in question does come to fruition, it will act as the spiritual successor to the Honda S2000 and could rival the new Toyota Supra. Power would likely come from the 2.0-liter turbocharged four of the Civic Type R and be coupled with a pair of electric motors.

http://www.carscoops.com/2017/07/baby-honda-nsx-reveals-its-interior-in.html

 

[Gecko]

I am surprised Honda is going to bother considering the failure of the NSX, but props to them for building it.

 

[mikeavelli]

Cool birthday present. I'm sure it will be badged a Honda.

 

[supra93]

Honda Trademarks ZSX Nameplate, Is It For A Baby NSX?

It seems increasingly likely that a baby brother to the Honda NSX could be on the way, following confirmation that Honda trademarked ZSX with the European Union Intellectual Property Office on July 26.
sent tongues wagging.

Interestingly, Honda has trademarked the name ZSX previously, albeit in the United States. That trademark however lapsed on December 10, 2012 but conceivably, may be snapped up by the Japanese company once again.

While speaking with French publication Automoto, a reported Honda engineer says that the company will launch the ZSX in concept guise at the Detroit Motor Show 2017 in January.

Apparently the car will debut as a hybrid coupe concept, utilizing the Civic Type R's 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine coupled to two electric motors, each driving a rear wheel.

Opening Rendering Copyright Carscoops / Josh Byrnes

http://www.carscoops.com/2016/08/honda-trademarks-zsx-nameplate-is-it.html

 

[mikeavelli]

That looks dope!

 

[Ian Schmidt]

Now that's a stunner!

 

[supra93]

Spied: Is this the ZSX, Acura's "baby" NSX?

Honda has something up its sleeve.

Our spy photographers have stumbled across a mysterious new vehicle that could be our first indication that Honda is working on a smaller version of its Acura NSX sports car.

Rumors of a "baby" NSX have been flying since the hybrid supercar debuted in 2015, and we may finally have proof that Honda is developing such a vehicle. It remains unknown if the vehicle spotted today is a concept or simply a design study, but it certainly has many of the design elements of the NSX.

At this point we have far more questions than answers, but it's pretty clear that this mystery roadster uses a mid-engine/rear-drive layout. If the rumors are to be believed, this baby NSX (which could possibly be named ZSX) uses a pair of electric motors to drive its front wheels.

The conventional engine in the ZSX is likely the same turbocharged 2.0L turbo-four from the Civic Type R. On its own that engine is good for more than 300 horsepower, so this pocket rocket could potentially come with more than 400 horsepower once the electric motors are taken into account.

Previous reports have suggested this mini NSX will be built right alongside the full-size version of the sports car at Honda's Marysville, Ohio production facility. The Civic Type R's engine is also made in Ohio.

On an interesting side note, Australia's Car Advice posted pictures of what appears to be a coupe version of this mystery vehicle back in the summer of 2016. It seems unlikely that Honda would go to the trouble of making two different full-size models of a car that isn't intended for production. But then again, anything is possible.

Although this mid-engine roadster would likely be sold as an Acura in the United States, it could be marketed as a Honda is other global markets (just like the NSX). That could explain why this particular car is emblazoned with Honda logos. However, it's also possible that this car could be sold under the Honda brand as a successor to the S2000.

While we don't know exactly what Honda is up to, we sure are excited to find out. Stay tuned.

http://www.leftlanenews.com/spied-is-this-the-zsx-acuras-baby-nsx-94896.html

 

[Gecko]

LOL at the guy throwing up the finger... very classy.

With that concept spotted above, I think it seems like a clear indication that this thing is going to happen.

Supra vs. Z vs. Baby NSX... going to be a good time!

 

[mikeavelli]

Reminds me of speedracer

 

[mmcartalk]

LOL at the guy throwing up the finger... very classy.

Why an obscene gesture on his part?......the guy with the camera from Left Lane News was only doing his job. And, I don't care if those guys pushing the car were ex-Navy SEALs or Commando experts...........flipping the Bronx Salute like that to the wrong person can get one's head taken off. He (presumably) got way with doing it to the guy from Left Lane News.....but he might not be so lucky next time.

 

[Ian Schmidt]

I don't get the gesture at all given that either the Honda guys are either stunningly inept or they wanted this thing to be photographed.

Car itself looks great though, looks like we're headed into another era of great Japanese performance. Just need Subie and Mitsu to step up the STi and Evo for the occasion.

 

[ThePenguin]

As a current S2000 owner, I really hope Honda keeps the formula simple with the replacement. If they lean towards a hybrid drivetrain, don't force it on everyone like the unfortunate CRZ; make it optional like Lexus has with the ES, GS, etc. I hope they offer only a manual transmission too. This won't be a volume vehicle, so there's no need to make it appeal to everyone.

 

[supra93]

Honda Sports Vision Gran Turismo Looks Just Like Those 'Baby' NSX Patents

A couple of years ago, a set of patented images surfaced showing a mysteriously sporty Honda model that pretty much looked like a smaller NSX.

We can now see how that particular design language was applied to this, the Sports Vision Gran Turismo, part of the Vision GT program from Sony's upcoming Gran Turismo Sport video game, launching October 17th.

Compared to those patent images filed all the way back in 2015, the Sports Vision GT available in the game appears a bit sharper, with slightly more pronounced fenders. All in all, we're clearly looking at the same car.

We also have a good idea of what the interior looks like thanks to this image. The cabin appears to have a rather simple layout, while the steering wheel is shaped like something out of a Formula One car.

In the end, even though this is just a concept, we're hopeful Honda will put pen to paper soon and sign off on a production version, if they haven't already. It's been reported that such a car could wear the moniker 'ZSX' and rival the new Toyota Supra as the spiritual successor to the Honda S2000, more or less.

http://www.carscoops.com/2017/10/honda-sports-vision-gran-turismo-looks.html

 

[mikeavelli]

Pretty cool

 

[supra93]

Honda Says S2000 Revival Is A Big Maybe

Don't get your hopes up too high.
Back in June 2015, mysterious Honda sports car fueled the rumors of a revival for the legendary S2000, phased out in 2009. In 2017, a report in British media suggested the long-awaited S2000successor will debut next year, but now a new article from Autocar says this won’t happen.

Honda boss Takahiro Hachigo told the publication a new S2000 is still possible, but not in the near future. The final decision for the project depends on the market demand.

“As of today, I cannot say clearly that S2000 will be reinvented as further studies are necessary,” Hachigo told Autocar at the Tokyo Motor Show, where the automaker revealed a retro-inspired electric sports car concept. “I’ve already heard many voices expressing they’d like a next-generation S2000. Honda development engineers are quick to develop sporty cars if the requests are there.”

Simply said, Honda is discussing the idea of a new small roadster, but it needs to evaluate whether it can make a viable business case first. A possible green light could come from the research team of the automaker.

“All over the world – in Japan, North America, Europe, China – more and more voices are expressing the desire to reinvent S2000. However, it has not matured yet. It’s not time yet. We need time to decide if S2000 is reinvented or not. If the sales people investigate, look at it and they’re really enthusiastic, maybe we look at it,” Hachigo explained in Tokyo.

If the third generation S2000 receives the stamp of approval, it could make use of a 2.0-liter turbo gas engine expected to generate more than 320 horsepower (238 kilowatts). The power will be channeled to the road via a dual-clutch, eight-speed automatic transmission.

https://www.motor1.com/news/184690/honda-s2000-revival-possible/

 

[supra93]

Honda's Baby NSX Emerges As Sports Vision Gran Turismo Concept

Vision Gran Turismo concepts often take on proportions of the outlandish: Le Mans prototypes, almost, without any regulations or practical considerations to take into account. Honda, however, has taken a different approach.

The Japanese automaker today released its latest contribution to the pantheon of digital sports-car concepts in the form of the Honda Sports Vision Gran Turismo. And while it may not be quite ready for the showroom, it looks a lot closer than most of its virtual-reality stablemates.

It also looks familiar: distinctly similar, in fact, to the patent images we saw over two years ago. At that point we thought we were looking at a baby NSX. And it could manifest into just that. But for now, it's confined to the imaginary world of the Gran Turismo gaming franchise.

The concept was designed by Honda's studio in California and developed in Japan. And while it may (for the time being) exist principally in digital form, a full-scale model was built and tested in a wind-tunnel – not just in computational fluid dynamics simulators.

The brief calls for carbon-fiber-intensive construction to help keep weight down to a (theoretical) 1982 pounds. That's just over half of what today's NSX weighs, a good third less than the old S2000, and barely more than the tiny S660 roadster.

The other side of the power-to-weight ratio is a 2.0-liter DOHC-VTEC turbo four – similar, we'd imagine, to the one found in the Civic Type R, but tuned to produce over 400 horsepower and mated to an eight-speed dual clutch transmission.

It all sounds and looks great. Fantastic, even – which is exactly what this concept is... for now. Here's hoping it manages to leap off our TV screens and onto the street in the near future.