More Rendered Speculation on Honda S2000's High Performance Hybrid Coupe Successor

Not sure what to think about this one....Truth to be said, we've lost track of the number of inside stories and rendered scoops concerning Honda's rumored, but never officially confirmed, S2000 successor that have made their way on the internet from various Japanese magazines the past year or so.

We've no idea if Best Car's latest story on a high-performance hybrid sports coupe that would essentially replace the S2000 is based on facts or fiction, but the Japanese magazine is once again claiming that Honda is working on what could be best described as the CR-Z's big brother.

Aside from the new rendering that has nothing in common with the magazine's previous S2000 CGI, Best Car this time says that the sports model will be a 2+2 coupe with a hybrid powertrain combining a 2.5- or 3.0-liter engine to an electric motor.

No word if power will be transferred to the rear axle or as previously claimed, to all four wheels.

Source;
http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2010/03/more-rendered-speculation-on-honda.html

7tune: Hybrid, FWD Honda S2000 Due In 2012

Hybrid, FWD Honda S2000 Due In 2012

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.

Source;

http://www.7tune.com/new-hybrid-fwd-honda-s2000-due-in-2012/

Honda FF-S2000 Rendering

To accompany the previous article (http://thehondaportal.blogspot.com/2009/05/honda-may-introduce-2-new-hybrid-sports.html) here is a pic of what they may be proposing the next gen S2000 hybrid.

Source;
http://www.autospies.com/news/Honda-Planning-Two-New-Hybrid-Sports-Cars-44291/

Honda may introduce 2 new hybrid sports cars in the near future

Above is the upcoming CRZ hybrid....

Here is a joint venture (chinese company) prototype of something that could pass as a S2000 replacement....

Following the introduction of the second generation Insight, Honda has recommitted itself to developing hybrid drive vehicles. We now have the Civic and Insight in North America and Japan will soon have a Fit hybrid as well. Honda has also confirmed that a production version of the CR-Z concept will arrive within the next year as a hybrid coupe. It's being reported that the production CR-Z may have a 2.5-liter four cylinder engine with direct injection. If true, that would be Honda's first direct injected production engine.

A second new sporty hybrid could be a successor to the soon to be discontinued S2000 roadster. If Japan's Best Car magazine is to be believed, the car they refer to as FF-S2000 will be powered by Honda's 3.5-liter V6. it will apparently also use Honda's all wheel drive system. The FF-S2000 may even use a flywheel based KERS (kinetic energy recovery system) like those developed for Formula 1 to provide a further performance boost. It's not known if KERS would be used in addition to or in lieu of Honda's IMA hybrid system. Unfortunately, we have no confirmation of any of this at this point.

Source;

http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/05/24/honda-may-introduce-2-new-hybrid-sports-cars-in-the-near-future/