2011 Honda CR-Z

The rumor mill has been long buzzing with news of a Honda S2000 roadster successor. Latest reports suggest that Honda engineers are considering building a new roadster on the CR-Z hybrid hatch platform.

Engineers feel that despite its front-drive layout, the CR-Z’s size and weight will be advantages to a sporty roadster. Performance will be increased via a stronger engine and some other reductions in weight.

If the model is built, it will compete with the likes of a Mazda MX-5.

According to Road&Track, after the mentioned model is established, Honda may move on to create a rear-wheel-drive high-powered sports car, probably with a hybrid powerplant.

Refresher: The 2011 Honda CR-Z is powered by a 1.5L i-VTEC mated to Honda”s Integrated Motor Assist hybrid system. It produces a total of 122-hp and a maximum torque of 128 lb-ft. When mated to a 6-speed manual, the CR-Z returns an EPA-estimated 31/37/34 mpg (city/highway/combined). With the CVT transmission, the CR-Z returns 35/39/37 mpg. Prices in the United States start at $19,200.

2011 Honda CR-Z:

- By: Omar Rana

Source: Road&Track

2009 Honda S2000 Ultimate Edition

The recently killed Honda S2000 and the Honda Beat 600cc minicar of 1991 may make a comeback… mixed into one model. Sources say that Honda is working on ‘molding’ the two models together to create a sport roadster. The model will be built on a modified Honda Fit model and will get a rear mid-engined layout.

Whether the ‘mid-engine’ layout means hybrid or a full electric-vehicle is still unclear. The model is seen as a competitor to Toyota’s upcoming plans to produce a car based on the Toyota GRMN Sports Hybrid Concept. Of course, we hope that the model is a true 4-cylinder turbo, but we’ll have to wait and see.

Insiders say that the car is currently in the planning phase and may not be on the road before 2014.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: Motor Trend

A little while back Japan’s Best Car Magazine reported that Honda is working on an AWD (Honda’s Super Handling All-Wheel-Drive system) successor to the S2000 that will be powered by a powerful 4-cylinder engine mated to a hybrid system similar to the one found on the Honda Insight.

In its latest report, Best Car says that the S2000 successor will be offered with a front-wheel-drive option only and a hybrid driveline. The model will be a step above the upcoming Honda CR-Z hybrid due out next year and will feature a retractable hardtop.

Look out for the S2000 successor sometime in early 2012.

Until we have other solid details, we’re going to have to file this under rumors.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: 7Tune

Earlier this week, we heard rumors that Honda is working on a successor to the S2000. However, after reading that the model would be a 2+2 coupe, with no rear-wheel-drive (it will have AWD) and a hybrid system, the car started to sound less and less like a successor of the award-winning roadster and more like another car by itself.

What could Honda possibly come up with here that would give this new model the privilege of saying “I belong to the family of the S2000?” To help us answer that question, Lars Martensson (aka GRID) is back with a rendering of a Honda S2000 Coupe. Earlier this morning we saw Martensson’s amazing Subaru Impreza WRX STI concept and this S2000 study is nothing less than impressive.

Right away, you’ll notice the concept’s GT-R like face. Going around the side you’ll see some large air-vents and a rounded rear-end with the exhaust pipes embedded into the rear-bumper.

We have to say, Martensson is one talented artist.

Follow the jump for more pictures

GRID Honda S2000 Coupe Concept:

- By: Kap Shah

Source: 3dluvr (via CarScoop)

At the beginning of this year, Honda confirmed that the 2009 Honda S2000 would be the final model year for the award-winning coupe and roadster. The model was originally created to celebrate Honda’s 50th anniversary but was extended due to consumer demand.

According to Japan’s Best Car, Honda may now be working on a successor to the S2000. Following the launch of the CR-Z hybrid coupe in 2010, Honda is also said to be penning a more powerful coupe that is expected to become a replacement for the S2000.

Best Car says that the car will have 2+2 seating and will ditch the S2000′s rear-wheel-drive system in favor of Honda’s Super Handling All-Wheel-Drive system (SH-AWD). No word on whether the car will use the S2000′s powerful 4-cylinder engine; however, the new sports coupe from Honda will get a hybrid system similar to the one found in the Honda Insight.

With all that being said, the model sounds more like a new sports coupe rather than a replacement to the S2000. We’ll have to wait and see if this rumor is true.

- By: Kap Shah

Source: Best Car (via CarScoop)

Honda announced today that it will say goodbye to the Honda S2000 with a special-edition model of the roadster for the European market. The Honda S2000 Ultimate Edition will make its debut at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show and will go on sale in March.

The special-edition S2000 Ultimate Edition will get a unique white exterior with a red leather interior complemented by red stitching for the gear lever. Each unit will be marked with a numbered plaque on its kickplates. The special-edition S2000 will also come with graphite colored alloy wheels and black S2000 badging.

Power still comes from the 2.0L VTEC engine making a total of 240-hp.

The Honda S2000 Ultimate Edition will indeed be the last version before the global production of the roadster ceases altogether at the end of 2009. Honda says it has sold a total of 110,673 units of the model worldwide.

Honda S2000 Ultimate Edition: