Construction Year History

Model Year 2001

• Model year 2000 did not have a clock. Per Honda, it was intentionally left out due to the race car theme. It became standard equipment on 2001 model.
• Model year 2000 offered wind deflector as an option; it became standard with the 2001.
• Red floor mats became available.

Model Year 2002

• Public pressure was strong to replace the plastic rear window design with a glass window, equipped with a defroster, which became standard for 2002 model. The window is smaller in size and the top frame was redesigned to accommodate the glass.
• The UK Press release states “.. for 2002, there is a significant change in the suspension’s fine tuning. Spring rates have been increased, anti-roll bar stiffness reduced, and the gas-filled dampers (shocks) recalibrated. The changes have been made to improve steering feel and handling progression at the limit, while maintaining the response, grip and balance of the original S2000.” {All three changes would be for an understeer correction.}
• Anti-roll bars: Front & rear sway bars were reportedly changed. Originals were F: 28.2 mm (1.11") x 5.0 mm, R: 27.2 mm (1.07") x 5.3 mm. A new ‘02 owner says his measures: F: 26.11mm and R: 27.35mm.
• Springs: ‘ 02 rear springs have a new part number.
• Early stereo complaints were addressed in the 2002 model with an upgrade from 20 to 30 watts per channel and the addition of door mounted tweeters. The door speakers are blue-plastic, have no 'paper' cone, magnet is still small, but owner’s report the 2002 sounds vastly better.
• The solid aluminum shift **** could be cold as ice in winter or very hot in the sun, for the 2002 model it was changed to a combination leather and aluminum ****.
• The black interior color shade has changed to a dark grey or charcoal bluish black shade.
• The stereo has digital bass/treble/fade/bal controls. You push the right **** and set them as opposed to small black ***** that you would push to pop-out.
• The tonneau cover changed. There is only 1 clip on the each side to push in from underneath. The elastic bands straps on each side remain the same. Reportedly its easier to attach and doesn't appear to 'flap' up like previous design.
• The shade of wheels are a slightly darker silver with a little more metallic-flake.
• Heat and A/C fan are more powerful. The 2nd and 3rd fan speeds are noticeably more effective.
• A chrome ring has been added to the tail-lights.
• A metal ring has been added to the interior door panel pulls.
• The horn reportedly has a different tone.
• The plastic trim piece that outlines the dash, as well as the trapezoidal plastic plate in which the roof and hazard buttons sit, are made of a different color/finish plastic – a gray, grooved plastic rather than the bland black untextured plastic.
• The cupholder cover and trash hole behind it are textured plastic as opposed to the same untextured earlier ones.
• Interior leather and plastic colors have changed. For example, earlier Silver cars came with a combination of red and black interior. The 2002 model comes with a solid red interior (dash, doors, center storage, etc.).
• Radio design and color changed.
• It’s said to have improvements in the transmission to make it smoother and provide quieter shifts.
• The dead-pedal is now metal/rubber and matches the other pedals.
• A vinyl console cover replaces the carpet console cover.
• The buttons for the defroster and cruse-control on switches are a different shape.
• The new window defrost button is the cruise control on the right side of the steering wheel.
• There is a small subtle change in the trunk lid shape at the rear, near the trunk brake light. Reportedly this was to meet the Federal safety standard measurements.
• The tach indicator line is now white and the scale connected by a solid white arc line.
• The outside Honda badges are larger.
• A second post has been added to the carpeted floor mats to secure them.
• There is very limited cockpit storage in the race car tight confinements, so door panel net storage pockets were added for the 2002 model but they are too small for anything but perhaps a garage door opener.
• Paint color changes were made. In the US, Sebring Silver replaced Silverstone Metallic (the newer is a brighter silver). Suzuka Blue Metallic was added.
• Some interior colors were changed in 2002, for example, the red & black interior of the Silver car was changed to ‘all’ red.
• At mid-model year the banjo bolts in the engine lubrication system were upgraded from two-holes to four-holes each.

Model Year 2003

• Only change was to offer white cars with a tan interior.
• A Honda dealer says the clutch disc changed for 2003.

S2000 “Modulo” or “Factory Performance (FP)” In 2003 Honda announced that its division Honda Access Corporation, a Japan based operation that specializes in improving the look and performance of Honda company cars, will undertake the S2000. The FP team is led by Makoto Tamamura, the chief suspension engineer for the original NSX. To begin with the team will concentrate on only the handling traits for performance; engine tuning may come later. As of early 2003, USA availability is undetermined. R&T’s early test vehicle (March 2003 issue) had 5-way adjustable suspension system, the entire double-wishbone set recalibrated, 17" wheels with Yokohama Advan TNR 215/45ZR-17s, slotted brake rotors and special brake pads. At Willow Springs the stock S2000 lapped at 1:38.2. The Modulo did 1:37.6. The cost for picking up the extra ½ second, in Japan pricing, was $5,500. Nothing more has been heard of this since.

Model Year 2004 (AP2 - Second Generation)

Engine

To improve torque output, Honda engineers stroked the all-aluminum four-cylinder 6.7mm to deliver another 160cc of displacement and a slightly undersquare configuration. By Honda's measurement, there's still 240 hp at your command, only it arrives at 7800 rpm, some 500 rpm lower than previously delivered. This is because the increase in piston speed from the long-stroke layout would stress the internals to the breaking point at a higher rpm. It's one of those physics things.

• Redline dropped from 9000 RPMs to 8000 RPMs.
• F20C engine code changed to F22C ( 2.2 liter) in North America market; the F20C (2.0 liter) remains in production elsewhere. Reportedly Greece gets the F22C too with engine code designation F22C1.
• Through the use of a longer stroke (increased to 90.7mm from 84mm), the motor's displacement was increased from 1997cc (2.0L) to 2157 cc (2.2L).
• Basically a 500rpm shift of the horsepower curve (to the left, on the rpm scale). Thus the new motor makes the same power as the older F20C, simply 500rpms sooner at basically every point on the curve.
• Compression has been bumped up a tenth of a point to 11.1 (from 11.0:1) and the valve timing has been altered to enhance mid-range performance.
• 240hp at 7800 rpm (vs 240hp@8300 rpm) and 162 lb-ft @ 6500 rpm (vs 153 lb-ft @ 7500 rpm).
• This will improve oil consumption and reduce piston noise, Honda improved the cylinder machine honing process by bolting a dummy head to the block (a technique used in race engine building) to improve accuracy. It results in reportedly less than 25% of the deformation on a block.
• The enlarged displacement results in a 6-10% improvement in horsepower and torque from 1000 to 8000 RPMs. Honda claims at the normal operating range of 4500 RPMs the 8 ft-lb torque increase in real world driving translates to 15 ft-lbs over the prior years engine.
• Continues to use traditional VETC instead of iVTEC as on the K-series motors.
• highway gas mileage dropped 1 mpg
• Honda claims better acceleration in each gear, offset only slightly by the reduced top speed potential in each gear (in the older car, thanks to the slightly taller gearing and extra rev capacity, you're able to hold a gear a bit longer, resulting in better acceleration during that brief period where the '04 must up shift while the '00-'03 is able to remain in the lower gear).
• Throttle pedal travel was shortened and pedal effort increased. By reducing the diameter of the throttle body drum, pedal effort is increased approximately 10% at the completely shut end, and 6% at WOT. This was done partly to reduce the occurrence of accidental throttle input such as when the driver encounters a road undulation. Accelerator pedal travel was shortened by approximately 10mm.
• The '03's pistons whiz at 4906 feet per minute at 8900 rpm, whereas the '04's slugs rip along at just 4761 feet per minute at 8000 rpm.

Transmission

• A tighter secondary gear reduction ratio (1.206 vs 1.16) to provide a bit more snap off the line and to better match the characteristics of the new motor. This is also called the intermediate ratio and is the gear after the transmission and before the driveshaft. It goes like this: Crankshaft -> clutch -> transmission (gears 1-6 + R) -> intermediate ratio gear -> driveshaft -> rear diff -> axles
• 4% shorter ratios for 1st through 4th gears while the 5th ratio is effectively 1% shorter and 6th is effectively 2% longer, for a slightly more relaxed cruise speed. 5th gear ratio changed from 0.971 to 0.942. 6th gear ratio changed from 0.811 to 0.763.
• Carbon fiber synchromesh replace the solid brass ones for all gears except reverse. The new design features a brass ring with a carbon fiber element bonded on the inner surface, resulting in simplified mechanical components, increased synchronizer capacity, improved abrasion resistance, and reduced weight. The weight reduction and increased capacity translates to a smoother and quicker shifting feel. Further enhancing shift feel quality is a reduction in the load acting on the disc spring. Per Honda, this tweak results in reduced shift **** operational load and reduced harshness.
• transmission case rigidity improved

Clutch

• Redesigned clutch and clutch case.
• To reduce the "impact torque" of a high rpm clutch dump, the new clutch has an additional orifice at the sleeve cylinder, which reduces the torque reaction acting on the drivetrain, in effect a clutch delay system.
• The clutch case has incorporated additional rib reinforcements to reduce vibrations and noises generated by the drivetrain. The additional ribs have improved clutch case rigidity by approximately 10%.

Differential

• Redesigned differential; it has been beefed up.
• By moving to an FCD material (from FC), the case rigidity was improved by 40% while the overall case strength was increased 20%.
• Gear fatigue resistance improved by 5% through a change in the shot peening method for the drive pinion gear.

Suspension & Steering

• Front spring rates increased by nearly 7%
• Rear spring rates were softened by roughly 10%.
• Shock damper rates have been adjusted accordingly.
• Front stabilizer bar is unchanged.
• Rear stabilizer bar was reduced in diameter by 1.8mm to 25.4 mm to improve bump steer & cornering.
• To enhance steering feel and accuracy, the suspension geometry was altered slightly, lowering the steering knuckles by 1.5mm.

One owner’s research found the front suspension received a new front upper arm (left side only); some owner’s speculate that was to correct difficulties in setting the camber on that side. There’s a new part number for the self lock cam nut and bolt at the lower arm’s adjustment point. There’s a new part number for the front lower arm but no apparent geometry change; it’s thought to be a test spec. There are no apparent changes to the front sub frame. The rear suspension received a new knuckle and they moved the mounting point for the control arm. The bushing for the upper arm now has a separate part number; previously it bundled with the part. The tabs for the rear upper arm in rear sub frame have a new part number; it could be durability or geometry change. Front and rear hubs remain the same.

• The EPS (Electrical Power Steering) system features an optimized steer response gain, while the software was updated to improve steering linearity and agility. The steering gear ratio was also changed to match the new suspension and tire characteristics. Increased rigidity of the steering gearbox supporting mounts results in improved steering precision as well.
• One of the "features" of the outgoing S2000's rear suspension was its tendency to exhibit bump steer at the limits. Honda's engineers have attacked this issue from several angles. Rear toe in was reduced from -0deg 19' to -0deg 10'. At a 50mm bump deflection, toe-in has been reduced from -0.19 degrees to -0.05 degrees. Secondly, the rear roll center was lowered from 101mm to 92mm. Honda claims improved roadholding under full suspension compression or during severe body roll situations.
• Honda claims improvements in overall stability, steering accuracy/effort/feel, bump steer characteristics, wet performance/hydroplaning, high-speed stability, smooth ride comfort, choppy ride comfort, and at the limit controllability.
• steering wheel lock-to-lock increased from 2.4 to 2.6 wheel turns.
• steering ratio lowered from 13.8:1 to 14.9:1

Chassis

• Chassis code AP1 = MY00-MY03 chassis changed to AP2 with the re-designed bumpers and new headlights / tail lights.
• A new cross brace at the very front of the frame (positioned horizontally, in front of the radiator),
• Reinforcements at key crossmember joints
• Additional fixing points to existing braces
• Reinforcements to the rear wheel arch bulkhead
• Front suspension upper arm brackets were strengthened, further benefiting handling.
• overall weight increase of 25 pounds, from 2810 to 2835 pounds

Wheels & Tires

• New 17" wheels, wider in front and rear (by 0.5" and 1.0" respectively), wrapped in wider tires.
• In the front, 205/55R16s were replaced by 215/45R17 tires.
• In the rear, 245/40R17s bumped the incumbent 225/50R16s.
• Honda says both changes are key contributors to extended cornering limits.
• The tires are now Bridgestone Potenza RE050s, replacing the former model's Bridgestone Potenza S-02s.
• The new tires feature a completely different tread pattern, intended to improve the balance in performance between dry and wet conditions.

Brakes

• To improve fade resistance and stopping power at and near the limit, the brake pad material has been changed from a non-metallic compound to a new metallic compound. The new pad material (Jurid632) provides greater frictional stability in high-temperature operating ranges.
• Master cylinder ratio has been changed from 6.5 to 6.0, resulting in an increased feel of rigidity and "build-up" quality (Honda's term for more stopping power in the latter stage of brake application under constant application). Honda claims less pedal travel is required than previously.
• The ABS system has been improved through the use of split-regulation yaw-control logic for improved stability on split-¼¼ surfaces when the ABS is triggered. Furthermore, though more powerful than before, the system (consisting of the CPU and modulator) has been downsized for both precious space and weight savings.

Exterior

• new nose job, with wider air intake and new headlights above it
• fake brake opening reshaped and moved inward
• new HID headlights using projector beams
• new LED taillights
• lower appearing rear bumper
• reshaped exhaust pipes, now oval
• spiral double horn unit replaces the current flat double horn.
• new color - Rio Yellow Pearl
• Spa Yellow dropped

Interior

• new combination red and black colored seats
• more sculpted door panel inserts; shoulder room increased by 0.5"
• wave ignition key to make copying it more difficult
• reshaped steering wheel
• new tweeter and mid range speaker housings
• metallic-look trim
• new center console with two beverage holders
• dash changes including a new gauge cluster, reshaped roll where the start button and radio controls are located
• restyled aluminum finish.

Comparison AP1 vs AP2

Sport Compact Car magazine did a road test of the 2004 S2000. They report the 2.2 liter made 210 hp at 8000 rpm at the rear wheels, compared to 203 hp at 8500 rpm that the old 2 liter delivered, and 146 lb-ft of torque at 6400 rpm, compared to 136 lb-ft at 6300 rpm. They go on to say, “Sure, peak power remains the name of the game here, but there's obviously more power than Honda is telling us, and the improved midrange is nice to have around town”. They also did some handling tests and reported the 04 understeered on the skid pad; it registered .89 compared to .92 for the 2 liter car. In the slalom the 04 improved by 1.2 mph to 71.0 mph. They also did some acceleration runs but fried the clutch. 50 to 70 acceleration was faster by .18 seconds, and 0 to 100 is faster by just .2 seconds.

Model Year 2005

Per 9/1/04 Honda press release “There are no changes to the 2005 Honda S2000.”

• On 2/15/05 the MSRP went from $32,950 to $33,150. Shipping is another $515.

Model Year 2006

The 39th Tokyo Motor Show, held from October 22 to November 6, 2005, at Makuhari Messe in Chiba, Japan, had dozens of cars and motorcycles on display, but it is the new S2000, equipped with even more advanced features than ever before, that shared the Motor Sports Zone stage with a rare close-up look at Honda’s F1 and IndyCar Series racers.

• MSRP increased to $34,050 and shipping to $550 for a total of $34,600.
• Drive-By-Wire Throttle System. Use a computer sensor to input throttle as opposed to pulling on the throttle cable
• Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) with traction control. A combination of computer controlled throttle and individual wheel braking to control sudden changes in vehicle behavior. VSA has a turn-off switch where the defrost button (moved) used to be.
• 20 lbs heavier
• Redesigned road wheels
• Redesigned steering wheel
• New color, Laguna Blue
• Daytime running lights (DRL)
• Brake Assist, which helps drivers apply full braking pressure in an accident avoidance situation via the ABS actuator. Braking pressure is maintained momentarily after the driver's initial braking action to help the driver stop promptly. It deactivates when the driver releases pressure on the brake pedal
• Basic warranty is 3 year/36,000 but the power train was extended to 5 years/60,000 mile
• Exterior temperature gauge
• New seats; they no longer have seat back pocket and headrest speaker system is gone
• 4 of the 8 speaker audio system are integrated roll bar speakers
• Sebring silver and white only come with a black interior
• CARB emissions rating is now LEV-2
• Passenger-side airbag cutoff
• IAC Valve has been eliminated, along with the cruise control hardware; it is all controlled by the ECU for the DBW system. A gas pedal cable runs into the engine compartment to an actuator. From there it's electronic.
• New intake manifold, intake support bracket, and injector cover
• Only one cam sensor
• New style map sensor
• IAT sensor has moved to the rubber intake tract
• Differential now has a breather box mounted behind it
• Fuel line at engine is now a quick-release type
• Air pump, associated lines and control valve, have been eliminated
• Weight/and or/position sensors mounted in the seats
• Fan switch in the radiator has been replaced with a second CTS, in turn the fans are now computer controlled
• HO2S in the header is now referred to as an Air fuel ratio sensor
• If you leave the gas cap loose, you'll get a "CHECK GAS CAP" warning, displayed in the outside temp display
• NOT SURE ON THIS: In Europe they are advertising a new three-part speedster cover. The cover fits over the folded hood and features a pair of raised domes that sweep back from the two headrests/rollover bars to provide a distinctive look reminiscent of many classic sports cars.
• HP is now stated at 237 - due to the auto industry wide change in how HP is calculated**
• New Horsepower Ratings to Level the Field in Performance

The Society of Automotive Engineers has standardized a horsepower measuring system, requiring several automakers to take a critical look at their more subjective output assertions. Toyota and Honda, in particular, have had to downgrade the horsepower ratings of some of their vehicles from the 2005 to 2006 model years as a result of this new system. Even though it features the same 3.0-liter V6 engine, the Toyota Camry has seen its output rating reduced in one model year from 210 to 190 horsepower. As the Detroit News notes, though, the new SAE horsepower standards have worked in favor of some companies — such as GM, which was able to boost the horsepower rating of the Northstar V8 in the Cadillac STS-V from 440 to 469 horsepower. All automakers are expected to eventually comply with these ratings, and American manufacturers, such as Ford and DaimlerChrysler, already have plans to incorporate the SAE standards into tests of vehicles scheduled to receive new powertrains. What this means to you: More accurate horsepower ratings mean more accurate comparisons between cars from all part of the world. The new rating is done with the accessories at load. Honda probably knew this in MY2004 and just under-rated the 2004 so it would not go down by much in 2006. That said, the S2000 loses less under the new rating compared to some other Hondas as it has a smaller AC compressor, has EPS, and a smaller alternator than most other Hondas to draw on the engine under load.

Model Year 2007

Early reports from Honda UNOFFICIAL sources claim: Grand Prix White get's All Black or Red & Black Interior Suzuka Blue Metallic and Sebring Silver Metallic goes bye-bye. Everything else stays the same.