Honda S2000 (AP1/AP2): The 9,000 RPM Roadster

The Honda S2000, launched in 1999 for Honda's 50th anniversary, is one of the most unique sports cars ever produced. It was Honda's first production roadster, the first Honda with a front-mid-engine layout, and it featured the highest specific output naturally aspirated engine ever put in a production car (until the Ferrari 458 Italia). The F20C engine in the S2000 produced 240 hp from 2.0 liters — 120 hp per liter, a figure that surpassed even Formula 1 engines of the era in specific output. The car was a pure driving machine: rear-wheel drive, 6-speed manual, no turbo, no automatic, no electronic stability control. It was the last Honda sports car before the company's performance priorities shifted.

The F20C Engine Story

The F20C was developed from a clean sheet. Honda's engineers set out to build a naturally aspirated 2.0L engine with race-car output for the road. Key specifications:

• Displacement: 2.0L (1,997cc) inline-4
• Valvetrain: DOHC VTEC, 4 valves per cylinder
• Output (AP1 JDM): 250 PS at 8,300 rpm, 22.2 kg·m at 7,500 rpm
• Output (AP1 US): 240 hp at 8,300 rpm (slight detuning for US emissions)
• Redline: 9,000 rpm — the highest-revving production engine Honda ever built
• Compression ratio: 11.7:1
• Peak horsepower at 8,300 rpm: The engine's personality completely changed above 5,900 rpm when the VTEC cams switched over

The F20C used titanium connecting rods (only the second production engine after the Honda NSX), a specialized dual-stage intake manifold, and a Garrett-designed exhaust manifold that was individual-runner for each cylinder. The block was cast iron for strength.

The F22C1 (AP2) Update

In 2004, Honda introduced the AP2 S2000 with the revised F22C1 engine:

• Displacement: 2.2L (2,157cc)
• Output: 240 hp in US spec (unchanged on paper), but much improved low-end torque
• Redline: 8,000 rpm (lower, but more torque)
• Reason for change: The F20C had unfriendly low-end torque; the F22C1 addressed this with longer stroke
• Enthusiast opinion: Divided. Purists prefer the F20C for its 9,000 rpm character; daily drivers prefer the F22C1 for usability.

The F22C1 was also paired with revised chassis tuning, stickier tires, and a stiffer rear subframe mounts.

The Chassis

Honda engineered the S2000 as a high-rigidity roadster, which is difficult because roadsters typically lose torsional stiffness without a roof. The S2000 chassis:

• X-bone center tunnel: An aluminum crossmember that doubled as a transmission tunnel for chassis rigidity
• Front-mid-engine layout: The F20C sat behind the front axle for better weight distribution (51/49 split)
• Double wishbone suspension front and rear: Aluminum control arms, compact packaging
• Helical LSD: Torque-sensing rear differential (standard on all S2000s)
• Curb weight: 1,260 kg (AP1) to 1,287 kg (AP2) — reasonable for a proper sports car

Production Variants and Years

• AP1 (1999-2003 in Japan, 2000-2003 in US): F20C, early chassis tuning
• AP2 (2004-2009): F22C1 in US, F22C1 with revised tuning in Japan
• CR (Club Racer) (2008-2009, US only): Stripped interior, stiffer suspension, aero kit, upgraded tires. 700 built.
• Type S (2009, JDM only): JDM equivalent of the CR with revised suspension. 1,100 built.

Total S2000 production: approximately 110,000 units worldwide over 10 years.

Cultural Impact

The S2000 became a darling of the modding community. Its high-revving nature, reliable engine, and approachable price made it the sports car of choice for many enthusiasts. Modifications common to S2000s included:

• Turbocharging (the F20C responds well to forced induction)
• Wing kits and aero upgrades
• Suspension adjustments
• Lightweight wheels and tires

The S2000 was featured in Fast and Furious: Tokyo Drift, Need for Speed, and Gran Turismo. It's Honda's most enduringly popular sports car among enthusiasts.

Today's Market

S2000s have appreciated significantly in the last decade:

• Base AP1 US: $18,000-$35,000 depending on mileage and condition
• Clean AP1 JDM (S2000 Type S): $30,000-$55,000
• AP2 CR: $45,000-$75,000 (most desirable US variant)
• AP2 Type S (JDM): $45,000-$80,000
• Low-mileage pristine examples: $50,000-$100,000+

Legacy

The S2000 is a reminder that Honda once built cars for the love of driving, not profit margins. When Honda killed the S2000 in 2009, the company's entire sports-car lineup disappeared. The new NSX arrived in 2016 as a hybrid supercar. The Civic Type R became the Type R flagship. There would be no successor to the naturally aspirated, 9,000 rpm, front-mid-engine roadster.

For drivers who want the last truly pure Honda sports car, the S2000 is the answer. It's the F20C's farewell performance — 9,000 rpm of naturally aspirated insanity from a company that briefly believed a proper driver's car was worth building, regardless of the business case.