S2000 gone CRazy

The S2000 is in its eighth year on the market, so one would think that Honda would have ceased production and brought out a futuristic successor to the spectacular roadster. Not quite…the latest incarnation of the S2000 has been stripped down, tightened up less and unleashed as the S2000 CR (Club Racer).

By Kyle Kock

Many consider the Honda S2000 to be one of the purest sports cars available in its class, providing the enthusiast with a very engaging (if demanding) drive, head-turning looks, razor-sharp handling and a screamer of an engine. So why the fuss over the S2000 CR?

Well, the looks are something of an acquired taste, but the car is certainly a head-turner. The huge chin spoiler and rear wing could say more than what the S2000 CR is actually capable of but, according to Honda, these additions reduce high-speed aerodynamic lift by 70 per cent. The standard 17-inch alloy wheels are finished in a smoked-silver metallic. An aluminium hardtop replaces the conventional convertible soft-top. Dispense with the hardtop and the CR weighs 45 kg less than its stock counterpart.

The CR uses the US car’s 2,2-litre d-o-h-c VTEC four cylinder (the South African version of the S2000 is powered by a 2,0-litre unit of similar output), capable of 177 kW at a screaming 8 300 r/min and 208 N.m at 7500 r/min. According to senior chief engineer Shingeru Uehara Honda has decided not to tamper with the 2,0-litre as there is absolutely no way of extracting more power from it without adding forced induction or failing to meet drivability and emissions targets. Gear ratios for the six-speed manual gearbox and final drive remain the same as those of the stock S2000.

What really sets the CR apart from its more docile siblings, are the changes in the front and rear double wishbones suspensions. Spring rates up front are up by 38 percent and the rear setup rate increases by 17 percent. Damping rates are up 50 percent and 32 percent respectively. The CR also benefits from larger diameter antiroll bars and rear strut brace where the soft top would normally stow. The CR also has a quicker steering ratio (13.8:1) compared to the standard 14.9:1, resulting in less than three turns from lock to lock.

”The S2000 CR is the closest thing you can get to a Honda-built racecar with license plate holders and a horn,” said John Mendel, executive vice president of American Honda Motor Co. Inc. “Its features and equipment are designed to appeal to weekend club racing enthusiasts.”

The interior is stock S2000, except for unique cloth seats with a yellow mesh fabric and yellow stiching, the spherical shift knob and carbon-fibre trim panels. Air-con and radio/CD player are optional. Standard though, are ABS and VSA (Vehicle Stability Assist). VSA enhances control during acceleration, braking and cornering, but can be disabled by the touch of a button if conditions warrant it.