Ride quality
Designed to be a true sports car, the Honda S2000 is hardly the most comfortable ride in the world. While it's not quite as harsh over bumps as say, a Speed World Challenge car, the S2000 is nowhere near as comfortable as a stock Scion tC, Honda Civic or Acura RSX. But for the hardcore SCC reader, the S2000 might as well be a Lexus-there's always a little more comfort that can be traded for speed. Both were quite stable and comfortable on the freeway, but surprisingly stiff over rough roads (for factory cars). As expected of OEM systems, both suspensions exhibited zero noise from the top mounts, dampers and springs. Compared to the stock AP2, the CR was harsher over sharp bumps and picked up more of the smaller road imperfections. The CR also possessed more control over softer bumps, with less pitching and jiggling of the body. Both stock S2000s were tested using ContiSportContact 3 tires in the factory sizes.
On-Track Behavior/Lap Time
Stock S2000s are a blast on the track-really tossable. So much so that most publications criticize them for being loose or even dangerous. But with a little practice, most people learn to love them. However, compared to the company in our test, the stock S2000 feels sloppy.
It took Hope two laps to realize that the frustratingly pathetic acceleration was the result of having the traction control enabled. Then, on the unrestricted laps, the stock brake pads withered, much like Hope's passion for stock S2000s.
On Hope's out lap in the CR, the steering felt twitchy. The steering rack was tugging at the wheel with every imperfection in the road surface, almost like something was coming loose. But come the hot laps, it was awesome. The car was easy to rotate. A simple lift of the throttle would pitch the rear end around, but it wasn't scary. The amazing steering response made it easy to catch. It really settled down in the high-speed sections (seven and eight). Aerodynamically, the rear seemed to be doing more than the front. We're sure the slight high-speed understeer would be welcome in wheel-to-wheel club racing. Overall, the car felt great through every corner, just what we'd expect from one of Honda's factory-tuned track cars.
Damping Quality
The S2000 shows good body structure, with the stock second-generation car feeling better than all of its predecessors, and the CR edition possessing a noticeably stiffer chassis again, perhaps the stiffest in this entire competition. The S2000 also feels quite soft for the track, with a lot of pitching and rolling. More low- and mid-speed damping could help its floaty nature. The CR model is surprisingly aggressive and good for a factory car. There is some harshness and overdamping (which can cause tire shock) making it tricky to get the power down on exit, but the overall balance is good. Surprisingly, all the tuned S2000s felt better than the stock AP2 and all the entrants displayed good behavior on track, with faster lap times than stock. Each aftermarket S2000 was also fully capable of being tuned to the driver's particular preference or style.
Modifications
Peak Power (AP2): 213whp @ 7700rpm
Peak Torque (AP2): 141lb-ft @ 6300rpm
Weight (AP2): 2759 lbs (50.3/49.7)
Peak Power (CR): 211whp @ 7700rpm
Peak Torque (CR): 147lb-ft @ 6300rpm
Weight (CR): 2800 lbs (48.5/51.5)
Model Year: 2007 (AP2), 2008 (CR)
Engine Code: F22C
Engine Modifications: Stock
Chassis: Front subframe brace, rear body brace (CR)
Suspension (other) (AP1, AP2, CR): front anti-rollbar (mm): (26.5, 26.5, 28.6), rear anti-rollbar (mm): (27.2, 25.4, 26.5)
Brakes: Stock
Wheels (AP1, AP2, CR): front: (16x6.5, 17x7, 17x7), rear: (16x7.5, 17x8.5, 17x8.5)
Tires (AP1, AP2, CR): Continental ContiSportContact 3: front: (205/55/16, 215/45/17, 215/45/17), rear: (225/50/16, 245/40/17, 255/40/17)
Body: Front lip, rear wing, hardtop (CR)
Interior: Stock (soft top removed from CR)