2004 Honda S2000: First Look

Sporting one of the most powerful naturally aspirated 2.0-litre engines to ever combine petrol and oxygen for explosive effect, the original S2000 was, and still is, a real head turner.

It's pushed back cockpit, long bonnet and short front and rear overhangs gave the vehicle an almost retro sportscar look, and it's sleek aerodynamics hinted further at its performance capabilities.

The rear wheel drive Honda roadster was a high-revving banshee, operating best when the engine reached 8300rpm - peak power for the lightweight convertible - and this was as much loathed as it was loved.

Some loved the peaky nature of the highly strung, motorcycle-inspired Honda engine, where others thought it a right royal waste of time and effort.

Therefore it comes as no great surprise that one of the biggest changes for the facelifted 2004 model S2000 is a bigger engine, perhaps best described as being more user-friendly.

The new 2.2-litre Honda mill generates slightly more power and torque than the $74,590 model it replaces and, together with other minor changes, is reported to be an altogether quicker car.

The new 2157cc engine has retained the dual overhead camshaft, VTEC-equipped, inline 4-cylinder configuration, and still has a sky-high redline of 8000rpm.

But where the original S2000's power of 176kW peaked @ 8300rpm, and maximum torque of 208Nm kicked in @ 7500rpm, the new engine makes similar power and more torque at lower revs in both instances.

With aluminium-alloy engine block and cylinder heads, complete with fiber-reinforced (FRM) cylinder walls, the updated S2000 makes 179kW @ 7800rpm - which occurs a good 500rpm lower than that of the 2.0-litre engine.

Maximum torque is up by a useful 12Nm, and it peaks some 1000rpm lower in the rev range, which will improve everyday drivability and 0-100km/h times: 220Nm of torque @ 6500rpm.

Combined with a low 1285kg kerb weight, a 6-speed manual transmission and a torque-sensing LSD, the 2.2-litre S2000 should hit 250km/h without too much trouble, and may even break the magic 6.0 second 0-100km/h mark.

The larger 16-valve, 4-cylinder engine has a marginally higher compression ratio than its forebear too - 11.1:1, and together with optimal engine positioning (behind the front axle) and lower overall gear ratios, the new S2000 is expected to offer perceptible advances in performance and handling over the model it replaces.

The updated Honda S2000 has a stiffer body shell and a new strut brace at the front of the car for improved torsional rigidity, while revised springs and damper rates should improve at-the-limit handling.

The front dampers are stiffer and the rear suspension rig is slightly softer.

Other features new to the '04 S2000 include more rubber, which in theory will result in more grip.

The old car had 205 and 225 width tyres on 16-inch wheels front and rear, where the new model gets 17-inch alloy rims shod with 215/45s up front and even fatter, lower profile 245/40s at the rear.

New LED brake light clusters adorn the largely unchanged rear end, though the lower apron has been tweaked to sleekly integrate the (larger bore) twin exhaust system to the bodywork.

Deeper channels in the side-skirts (that flow to the front apron) give the car's flanks a more defined and purposeful appearance, and the 10-spoke, 17-inch alloys fill out the wheel arches well.

Up front, the S2000 gets a larger and more aggressively styled air dam, which may well improve cooling to the engine bay, and new headlight clusters with HID beams round out the new exterior features.

Inside the new Honda roadster, and things haven't changed that much, the most notable feature being a faster folding roof - the power-operated soft top with a glass rear window (with demister) opens or closes the top in about six seconds.

On top of the much-maligned digital versions of the speedo and tacho, there's also a digital odometer, two trip meters, fuel and coolant temperature gauges plus low-oil pressure indicator lights.

There's also a new centre console design and silver-faced stereo head unit, a red/black two-tone interior (with certain exterior colours), electric power-assisted steering (EPS) and more heavily bolstered seats also make the cut.

Safety features comprise dual front airbags (SRS), 3-point seat belts and ABS.

On first impression, Honda seems to have done well with the 2004 model-year S2000, and the bigger engine with a much more usable power band will please many who disliked the original's high revving character, while still giving the faithful a tasty 8000rpm redline.

The new Honda convertible could be moving into new territory if it performs even marginally better than its precursor, which was no slouch on its own virtues.

Could it be, in fact, that the S2000 has transmogrified from a capable and pleasant-looking car into an extremely focussed, sharp and attractive vehicle? On paper at least, yes, very much so.