What We Know About the 2009 Honda S2000

Fun-seekers have always loved the S2000 for its high-revving zip and trackworthy handling. In the daily grind, however, Honda's little roadster is rather noisy, stiff-riding, cramped and tiring. It's also pricey for what it is, which explains why it sells mainly to tolerant sports-car purists with money. But that's a pretty small market, and it was mostly satisfied long ago. Meantime, the rival MX-5 keeps making money with a steady 20,000 in sales per year, way more than the Honda draws. And the new Power-Retractable Hard Top model is practically flying out of Mazda showrooms.

With all this, Honda has decided it's time the aging S2000 step aside for a more practical and affordable roadster-something like the MX-5, in fact. The replacement doesn't have an official name yet, but early 2009 is the estimated time of arrival, perhaps as a 2010 model. For now, let's call it the 2009 Honda S2000 "Mark II."

It's said to be inspired by Honda's very first car, the spartan, tiny but spirited S800 roadster of the early 1960s. It's also said to be a bit smaller than today's S2000. Less specialized too, as some underskin components will come from mass-market Honda cars to achieve a lower sticker price. The engine, for example, will be the 2.0-liter four-cylinder from the popular compact Civic, likely the top-tune Si version with around 200 horsepower. Sources say it's reworked to drive the rear wheels through a six-speed manual transmission or a Volkswagen-style twin-clutch six-speed sequential manual with automatic shift mode. Suspension reportedly retains twin A-arms in front and a multilink setup in back, but some of the components may be exchanged for off-the-shelf parts. Same for the brakes, four-wheel discs with ABS again, and steering.

For all the penny-pinching, however, the 2009 Honda S2000 will have its own chassis and body structure. Moreover, the savings achieved with shared components makes room in the budget for fairly extensive use of lightweight construction materials, such as aluminum and carbon fiber. That, sources say, will keep curb weight to around 2750 pounds, about 100 pounds lighter than the old S2000 and on par with the rival Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky. Though a comparable MX-5 weighs even less, the 2009 Honda S2000 should have a weight-to-power ratio that delivers brisk performance with good fuel economy, a traditional Honda goal.

We suspect the new S2000 will be a bit slower than the old, thanks to more "relaxed" gearing and a smaller engine with less power than the current 237-horsepower 2.2-liter unit. But many buyers may find that a fair trade in what promises to be a less frenzied and somewhat thriftier sports car with a much smoother ride and even more usable passenger space.

A Notable Feature of the 2009 Honda S2000

The rumored twin-clutch automated manual transmission, if it materializes, would be Honda's first, and could show up soon on other Honda cars. That aside, the new S2000 will look very different from the current model. One published rendering suggests a surprisingly close resemblance to the 2002-05 Ford Thunderbird, with chunky lines, a high waistline, and a top cover with twin fairings tapered from the seat headrests. Honda will definitely stick with a cloth top for the sake of simplicity and cost, but a power top may be optional rather than standard.

Buying Advice for the 2009 Honda S2000

With its lower price and more civilized nature, Honda's redesigned roadster should be a strong challenger for the Mazda MX-5, Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky, but try them all before you decide. And don't hurry. Though Honda may limit supplies to encourage early adopters, demand for sporty cars tends to peak early, then gradually declines once the novelty wears off. Transaction prices do the same. So unless you must be first on your block, don't make your move until the initial rush and price padding have subsided.

2009 Honda S2000 Release Date: Nothing's been announced yet, but it's likely to be in the fourth quarter of 2008 or the first quarter of '09.

First Test Drive: We're hoping to get acquainted with the 2009 Honda S2000 by summer of 2008 at the latest.

2009 Honda S2000 Prices: Sources say Honda intends to keep the base sticker under $30,000, more than $4000 less than an '07 S2000. That looks tough, given the dollar's continued slide against the Japanese yen, so we'll have to wait and see if Honda can hit the target.