A digital render breathes new life into a classic roadster, sparking fresh interest, though its return remains confined to imagination
The return of a classic nameplate always sparks the imagination of enthusiasts, and while Honda’s Prelude revival has captured much of the spotlight, there’s another badge that fans keep hoping for: the S2000. Digital artist Theophilus Chin has envisioned how the iconic rear-wheel-drive roadster might look today, taking cues from Honda’s new hybrid coupe.
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Jumping straight to the render, the proportions stay faithful to the original formula. A long hood, low profile, fabric roof, and compact two-seat cabin capture the spirit of the early 2000s roadster. The design itself, however, feels fresh, with every body panel reworked despite being based on facelift-era S2000 images.
Blending Old Lines with New Tech
Up front, the concept borrows its headlights from the Prelude, paired with a slim grille and a larger bumper intake. The sides adopt modern surfacing, flush door handles, and aerodynamic inlets behind the front fenders. As for the 19-inch wheels, these are part of the Prelude’s “Sports Style” package that will be optionally available for the coupe in the Japanese market.
The rear swaps nostalgia for modern cues, with a full-width LED light bar and heavy black trim across the bumper. Admittedly, this part doesn’t look as elegant as the sexy tail of the original, but at least it retains the dual tailpipes in a prominent position.
What Could Power a Modern S2000?
Those exhausts show that this S2000 revival wasn’t envisioned as fully electric. With Honda scaling back EV spending in favor of hybrids, a combustion setup feels like the obvious choice.
More: Canceled Honda S2000 Facelift Proposal By Strosek Looks More Like A Second Generation
The turbocharged 2.0-liter from the Civic Type R, producing 325 hp (245 kW / 330 PS), would slot in neatly. A hybrid assist could add performance while lowering emissions, but it would also run counter to the lightweight, purist ethos that defined the original S2000.
The Platform Problem
A bigger hurdle lies beneath the surface. Honda doesn’t currently have a rear-wheel-drive platform suited for a small roadster, which makes competing with cars like the Nissan Z difficult (perhaps even impossible, if you ask the brand’s bean counters).
And while the Prelude’s simulated gear changes might satisfy some, they can’t replace the visceral joy of a true six-speed manual in a high-revving two-seater.
Despite the appetite among enthusiasts, the odds of a real S2000 comeback remains slim. Honda’s current strategy includes the launch of 13 new hybrid models by 2030, leaving little room for a low-volume roadster. Still, independent designers like Theottle will continue fueling enthusiasts’ imagination with their renderings – at least until Honda gives us something tangible to chase.
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Thanos Pappas, a product design engineer by trade, has been wading through automotive journalism for… Read full bio
