Hybrid, FWD Honda S2000 Due In 2012

July 16, 2009 by Justin Karow
Filed under Japanese News, Latest Articles

It’s hybrid mania in Japan now with all manner of models starting to appear. As far as upcoming models are concerned though, the most disappointing seems to be the Honda S2000 “successor”. We’re told that come 2012, the new S2000 replacement will only have the number of doors and its name in common with the previous car.



It’s interesting to note that rumors surrounding a front wheel drive S2000 replacement have been circulating since at least late 2006, so it’s fair to say that S2000 fans shouldn’t get their hopes up for the next incarnation of Honda’s sports convertible. Gone are the days of high revving engines and rear wheel drive fun, they’ll be replaced with “low emission, high class” motoring in a package that has little in common with its predecessor. We’re told that the new S2000 will share its 2nd-generation hybrid driveline with that of the new Honda Accord and as such will be front wheel drive only. That being the case, the S2000 will be a step above the new hybrid CR-Z (or CR-ZX as some sources quote it as being) as far as outright performance goes. A retractable hardtop will add weight but now that the driving wheels will be at the front, it probably won’t be an issue for prospective buyers who we assume won’t be current S2000 owners.　The hybrid Honda S2000 is expected to go on sale in early 2012.

Words: Justin Karow
Image: Best Car

Bimmer Loyalist wrote

And I don't know what the deal is with Honda/Acura, but they refuse to use sheetmetal that's more than paper thin. The result is really cheap looking surfacing, at least in relative to modern standards.

Seriously, I hate that stamped character line on the Accord.

i dont get why acura doesnt have a coupe in it lineup. can you name any other car manufacturer that doesnt have a single coupe in their lineup?!?!?

ianbiz wrote

I have a special spot in my heart for the NSX. One of the most underpowered cars EVER built.

Mike05 wrote

Lincoln, Mercury, Buick also have no coupes....Infiniti, Cadillac,Toyota, Saturn, and Saab only have one each and till recently so did Lexus.

New Honda NSX To Become “Super Hybrid Sports”

July 21, 2009 by Justin Karow
Filed under Japanese News, Latest Articles

After rumors surfaced that the NSX project would be put on hold last December, we’re now told the new Honda flagship’s development is steaming ahead despite some big changes.



We’ve been told the new NSX has been steadily progressing since the test car’s appearance at Nürburgring last year where it pulled off some promising lap times. Where things get tricky is that the project now seems to be more like an exercise in parts sharing to create what Honda calls “Super Hybrid Sports”. It’s been hinted that rumours of Honda scrapping the new NSX project turned out to be merely a slight direction change to accommodate a more environmentally friendly approach which, according to our sources, will be a direct answer to Toyota’s FT-HS hybrid sports car.



Readers with long memories might remember the 600PS 5.5L V10 that was slated to power the new NSX. Well with the direction change comes a new powerplant which is now expected to be the next generation “valveless throttle” 3.5L V6 coupled with a hybrid system (from the next-gen Legend/Acura RL) to produce around 450PS which would put it in line with the Toyota FT-HS. Honda hopes to beat Toyota in the fuel efficiency stakes so there might still be some work to do to overcome the expected weight deficit. The added weight of course will be due to the SH-AWD system which will be bolted to an aluminum platform and feature a rear transaxle just like the R35 Nissan GT-R. We’re told that this same platform, albeit made of steel, will provide the basis for the next Honda Legend/Acura RL. For the time being our source withheld any mention of a release date or pricing, also the change in direction for the NSX has obviously pushed back the previously expected 2010 debut.

So it seems that the next NSX will be somewhat of a diluted version of the car we reported on last year, unfortunately without the potentially GT-R slaying V10. It begs the question, is it better to have an eco-friendly super hybrid sports car, or nothing at all?

Words: Justin Karow
Images: Holiday Auto

ianbiz wrote

I have a special spot in my heart for the NSX. One of the most underrated cars EVER built.

dragon1761 wrote

this is the link to the japanese honda accord 2008 or 09. Its pure stock. Let me know what you people think of how it looks. i would trade my BMW instantly for that if they had it here.


http://blog.thecar.com.my/car-collection-car-evolution/honda-accord