Honda to Release a Sub-NSX Sports Coupe as S2000 Successor

2009 Honda S2000 (Credit: © Honda)

Over the past few years, there has been a whole lot of chatter about two cars from Honda. One is the NSX, which is badged as an Acura in the U.S., but as a Honda in the majority of the world, and the other is the S2000’s replacement. The NSX is already on its way, as production-ready models have been caught testing on multiple occasions, but the successor to or resurrection of the S2000 has been an off-and-on issue since the model’s elimination following the 2009 model year.

According to Motoring Australia, the S2000’s successor is officially on, as Honda officials have given it the proverbial green light. Despite this model being touted as a successor to the front-engine, rear-wheel-drive S2000, it is more like a spiritual successor, as reports point to it being a mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive sports coupe with a hybrid powertrain.

According to Motoring Australia’s report, this model will take styling cues from both the U.S.-bound NSX and the unlikely-to-reach-the-U.S. S660, which means it will inherit wraparound headlights, large air intakes on the rear and flared wheel arches.

Sitting just aft of the seats, according to the report, will be a 2.0-liter, turbocharged engine sourced from the Euro-spec Honda Civic Type-R and an electric motor. Together these powerplants will team up to produce in excess of 365 horsepower, which is a huge jump relative to the 237 horses the last S2000 produced. Thanks to this advanced, turbocharged engine and electric motor, you can rest assured that the S2000’s successor will not suffer from the same lackluster 162 pound-feet of torque that the 2009 S2K did.

The hybrid drivetrain’s power will route only to the rear wheels — not all four like on the NSX — by way of a seven-speed, dual-clutch transmission. Thanks to a curb weight that Motoring claims will be around 1,300 kg (2,866 pounds), which is attributed to extensive use of carbon fiber and aluminum, this midsize sports coupe should hit 60 mph in the mid-four- to low-five-second range.

The report ends on a somber note, as it claims the new sports coupe will check in at just under $70,000, making it  unattainable for many who have waited so long for the S2000’s replacement.