Test Drive Honda S2000 since 1999 Convertible

Honda S2000 Type V Overview

VTEC system in steering
I got behind the wheel of the Honda S2000 Type V car on the underground parking lot, which is under the office of Honda, and began to get up. And, of course, began to turn the steering wheel. But what is it? The steering wheel stopped without making even one full turnover. And the car, however, wrapped the smallest trajectory.
So, from one extreme point of rotation of the controlled wheels to another total of 1.4 turn of the steering wheel. At the same time, the S2000 Type V steering mechanism can not be called high-speed. Simply in this mechanism provides a variable gear ratio of the steering rack (VGS system). If the speed of movement is small, the gear ratio increases. This leads to the fact that even a small movement of the steering wheel causes a sharp change in the position of the controlled wheels. And the greater the angle of rotation of the steering wheel, the more intense the rotation of the car itself. But I turn to the ride at high speed. Now everything is different - the front wheels react to the steering wheel not so zealo. Sometimes even it came out so that I was unnecessarily transferred the steering wheel, and at the same time the thought flashed inside: and not I take too?. But no, no longer happened! Everything proceeds in the most natural way: at high speed, the ramp is almost not accounted for, and even on a winding mountain road, the steering rail herself picks itself a suitable gear ratio. If you perform a protracted steep turn on the rise, the steering mechanism works more intensively, so it turns out and quickly, and pleasure! Simply put, change the speed of movement and, together with this, the intensity of the reaction of the controlled wheels is changed to the steering wheel commands. It turns out something like the principle for which the VTEC system is constructed, but only this time in relation to the steering mechanism, and not to the mechanism of the engine gas distribution.
And, by the way, about the engine. He, of course, out of competition. I would still, because by one liter of its working volume there are no 65 horsepower forces of the developed power! And also hard, like a monolith, body. And also perfectly selected suspension adjustment. By and large, for S2000 Type V, the VGS system is not so needed, it is like an unusual shape of the steering wheel, which below has a hidden shape. But it makes the control of the machine more interesting, and if so, then let it be.
Machine General
Honda S2000 first declared itself in 1999 at the Geneva Motor Show. For the first time after a 30-year break, Honda prepared a 2-seater open-top car for production. The engine has a working volume in 2 liters and develops the power of 250 hp. The gas distribution mechanism provides automatic change in the phases and the valve opening value (VTEC system). The machine drive is carried out at the expense of the rear wheels through a 6-speed gearbox with manual switching. The car is assembled there, where and NSX, that is, at the Takan ester plant in the Tooty Prefecture.
In July 2000, a novelty of Type V equipment appeared in the S2000 modification series. Its distinctive feature was equipped with the steering mechanism by the system of a variable gear ratio in the steering rail - VGS (VARIABLE Gear Ratio Steering), which establishes the dependence between the vehicle speed and the angle of rotation of the driven wheels coming One degree rotation of the steering wheel.
Evaluation from within
Interior equipment and front panel - 4 points
Pointers of the dial-type instruments, which have long been ranked for classics. Starting the engine is carried out using the starter button, which is on the right side of the driver.
Front chairs - 2 points
Chairs well support the body in turns. But the seats are flat, albeit large in size. So it will be where to accommodate even the driver is not the smallest proportions. To accommodate small items there is only a small pocket on the side of the tunnel in the middle of the cabin. Well, a typical sports approach, although it would be possible to do better.
Luggage compartment - 2 points
The maximum width of the trunk on the bottom - 140 cm, the depth of 50 cm, the height is 48 cm. And what did you expect from the two-seater convertible? In the central part of the bottom there is a deepening. A spare wheel is placed on the front wall of the trunk and partially goes under the cab.
What is the car on the go?
Engine and transmission - 5 points
The engine smoothly passes dead dots, but it requires that it constantly spat. Critical turns 9000 per minute. Pic power accounts for 8300 rpm. Gradually, you will give gas, and the traction is also growing. Feeling it should be like a bird in flight. Especially if you leake the top of the car. The work of the VTEC system is not felt immediately, the new phase occurs only after achievements of 6,500 revolutions per minute. Changing the position of the gear lever is indicated clearly, the gear ratios are selected, as it should.
Comfort and steering - 4 points
The car suspension is quite rigid, but any attempt to influence the car on the side of the road road coating is quenched on the root. A little only appears on shaking, as immediately time, and the oscillation is crushed. I would, however, did not recommend this car to those who love sports. Rather, you can say so: if you are not predisposed to the active driving manner, it is better not to sit down in it. I judge, of course, by myself, but I suppose: to bring pleasure to, you need to recover yourself. And without a driver's curaza, the car behaves smartly, as if runs on the rails.
 
Overall rating 4 points
Author: Aomori Tayino (Aomori Teino), WebCG agency
Photo: Cavano Atsuki (Kawano Atsuki)
Test results
Driver: Aomori Tayino
Test date: From August 26 to 28, 2000.
Type of car test: Advertising sample.
Year of release of a test car: 2000
Common mileage at the time of test: 5589 km
Tires: Front 205/55R16 89V, rear - 225 / 50R16 92V, All brands Bridgestone Potenza S-02.
Optional equipment: Aluminum disks BBC (200.000 yen, or about $ 1.900).
Test Purpose: Getting a general idea of \u200b\u200bthe behavior of the car on the go.
Movement schedule: urban trait high-speed highway mountain road.
Distance traveled during tests: 590.7 km
Common fuel consumption: 85.4 liters
Approximate fuel consumption: 1 liter by 6.9 km (about 14.5 liters per 100 km).
Specifications Honda S2000 Type V
Length / width / body height: 4135 mm / 1750 mm / 1285 mm.
Wheel base: 2400 mm.
Dry weight: 1260 kg.
Drive: rear.
Engine: 2-liter, 4-cylinder with inline cylinder arrangements, gas distribution mechanism Two top-location shafts with 16 valves. Power - 250 hp At 8300 rpm, the maximum torque is 22.2 kg / m at 7500 rpm.
Transmission: 6-speed MCPP
Basic price of a car: 3.560.000 yen (about $ 33.900)
The price of the car, which was performed by a test trip 3.760.000 yen (about $ 35.800).
2000

A source: webcg.