Rumours of new 2G S2000

New 2G Honda S2000 rumours from Japan

Rumours of Honda resurrecting the legendary S2000 with a 2nd Gen S2000 is becoming very hot nowadays. From Japan, BEST CAR magazine has publishing lots of articles on this rumoured new model. TOV/TOVA contributor DanielG translated the following details from the latest BEST CAR issue :

- a midsize MR (2+2 possible) choice between the Beat (S660) and the NSX (instead of the previously rumored FR setup with a smaller engine),
- powered by the EuroCTR 2.0L Turbo, SH-AWD being a possibility not yet decided.
- priced between 4M and 4.5M JPY
- arriving in second half 2016. 

Dimensions are forecasted to be 4250mm X 1800mm X 1200 mm (LWH) with a wheelbase of 2700mm. The engine is taken from the Euro CTR as indicated above, with an estimated specs of 280ps at 6600rpm and 40.7kgm at 2500rpm. 

BEST CAR has been quite OK with predicting new models but not with their technical details so take this with a pinch of salt and hope for the best.

New Honda Brio sedan

Honda has put up a teaser page for a 'new sedan' in their HAT, Honda Automobile Thailand, website. This new sedan is recognizable as being based on the new mini-car 'Brio'. 

The only info so far for this new sedan is that it will be using a 1.2l engine, probably based on the LSeries. To watch the teaser video click the following link http://www.honda.co.th/new-sedan/. 

This follows the mid-year speech from Honda CEO Ito-san about the Brio's future here in Asia:

In Asia, in order to compete in and win in highly-competitive low-price markets and fulfill the diverse needs of customers, in addition to the all-new Fit Series, Honda will add sedan-type and utility-type models utilizing the platform of the BRIO, Honda's strategic model for Asia.

Honda future sports car model plans

In our TOV/TOVA forums, one forumer talked about the current state of sporty models development by Honda. According to him, Honda stopped all Sports car designs and development in Dec 2008. It wasn't re-started until 2011 which is why we will not see any new sports cars until 2014 (in the form of the new Honda Beat). 

During those three 'dark' years (2008 - 2010) only unofficial side projects which Honda R&D engineers dabbled in on their own time was the mid-engine NSX and Beat.

There is a further suggestion that Honda have been testing an Euro Gen9 Civic type R for a while but the chassis(torsen suspension) couldn't meet performance goals due to the use of torsion beam suspension in the rear. Thus Honda now knows a half ass Civic Type-R will not work...the people won't buy it (this has what long time hardcore Honda fanatics have been telling Honda for the past few years of course). So they have to wait for the Gen10 civic (and start all over again).

The summary of sports cars that Honda is supposed to be working on at the moment, all in the research stage, are as below:

2015 NSX $ 150,000 range

2016 Baby NSX $ 75,000 range
In 2008 Honda was working on a baby GT HSV V6 Rwd Coupe and roadster.
The design team is working on it again.

2015 CTR 1.6L I4 TURBO 280hp
for Europe

2016 American CTR(Prelude)
Using Euro drivetrain with 4ws
most likely coupe

2016 Japan CTR(CR-Z) 

Note that other than the new Beat which is supposed to come out in 2014, the earliest that a hardcore sports model is scheduled to be launched is 2015. This means that for next year (2013), the only sporty car in Honda's lineup will continue to be the CR-Z, albeit now in MMC form and with a 12hp boost in power.

New NSX rumours from Autoten

The japanese website dedicated to 'scoop' information and photos of new cars, autoten.com, has published an article citing Honda CEO Ito-san as saying that the new NSX will be arriving in 2014. Furthermore, autoten.com is reporting that their Honda sources confirmed to them that the car will have a V6 engine delivering 400hp and will use SH-AWD.

For the full autoten article, go to the link below:

http://autoten.com/2011/10/29/honda-nsx-have-confirmed-by-2014here-is-all-rendering-we-can-find/

Honda Displays at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show

November 10, 2011 - Honda Motor Co., Ltd. announced its lineup of production and concept-model automobiles, motorcycles, power products, and other highlights for its display at the 42nd Tokyo Motor Show 2011, which will take place at Tokyo Big Sight from Saturday, December 3 through Sunday, December 11, 2011.

At this motor show, with the booth concept of "What makes people feel good?" Honda will propose an exciting and thrilling mobility life of the future that it envisions as a company providing personal mobility to people all around the world. The display will include a lineup of the next-generation electromotive concept models including two-, three- and four-wheeled commuter vehicles designed for easy and fun mobility in future cities, mid-to-long distance commuters designed to enrich life and enhance the freedom and fun of mobility, and sporty models that pursue the joy of driving/riding.

Furthermore, at the automobile section, N Concept, a new mini-vehicle series that emphasizes the creation of ample space, will be showcased, including introduction of the first production model in the series, N BOX. At the motorcycle section, a variety of models will be on display, including planned production models such as NC700S, INTEGRA and NC700X, which will be equipped with Honda's newly-developed global 700cc motorcycle engine. Also on display will be the planned production model of the CRF250L which offers both an ease of use in everyday life and the fun of off-road riding. Covering the largest floor area of any single brand at the show, the Honda booth will showcase a diverse lineup of products unique to Honda.

As a part of "SMART MOBILITY CITY 2011", a themed project the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association, Inc. (JAMA) will hold at the motor show venue, Honda will showcase the FCX Clarity advanced fuel cell electric vehicle, EV-neo electric scooter, EV-MONPAL electric cart, as well as the Honda Smart Home System which features several Honda-developed energy production technologies, including a gas engine cogeneration unit and a solar powered system to reduce household and mobility CO₂ emissions. The progress Honda has been making in testing program of these technologies also will be showcased.

Since the establishment of the company, Honda's goal has been to make people happy through its technologies and through the creation of products that are useful in people's daily lives. Driven by these dreams and passion, Honda has been committed to the research and development of mobility which focuses on people. With a passion to create and deliver mobility filled with fun and good feelings for people, Honda's challenge as a manufacturer of mobility products will continue into the future.

[Automobiles]

・AC-X

A next-generation plug-in hybrid vehicle which offers a more comfortable and enjoyable time in the vehicle during all driving situations, from urban to long-distance driving. With the choices of an "engine drive mode" for more aggressive driving or an "automatic drive mode" for more relaxed driving, the vehicle broadens the joy of mobility.

・MICRO COMMUTER CONCEPT

A micro-sized, futuristic, electric city commuter which will become a highly accessible form of mobility for more people. This vehicle will offer the joy of a new type of communications between people and mobility and an exterior that the owner can enjoy customizing more casually. The collaboration of Honda's motorcycle and automobile R&D centers made it possible to load the MOTOR COMPO two-wheel EV commuter in this vehicle.

・SMALL SPORTS EV CONCEPT (tentative name)

A next-generation EV sports model which maximizes the fun of driving while achieving excellent environmental performance.

[Motorcycles]

・MOTOR COMPO

A compact EV commuter which offers the casual and convenient mobility of a two-wheeler, but also strives to be useful even when it is not being ridden. This model can be loaded in the MICRO COMMUTER CONCEPT, with the battery that drives this commuter detachable and designed to be used as a power source in everyday life.

・E-CANOPY

A quiet and comfortable next-generation commuter developed by installing an EV system on Honda's unique three-wheeled scooter. In addition to personal use, this vehicle can be utilized for business use such as a delivery service by adopting a rear trunk which can be built-in.

・RC-E

An EV version of a super sports bike that pursues the joy of riding. A powerful and smooth ride unique to an EV model is achieved with the 250cc-class compact body.

[Power products]

・TOWNWALKER

Urban mobility which pursues simplicity and nimbleness that enables anyone to enjoy mobility in urban areas more casually. It can easily be loaded on a car by folding away the steering and seat.

<Overview of exhibits>
	Exhibition model    Production model    World Premiere    Japan Premiere

[Automobiles]

	Concept Models
		AC-X<>	MICRO COMMUTER CONCEPT<>
		SMALL SPORTS EV CONCEPT (tentative name)<>
		N CONCEPT<>

Planned Production Models
	N BOX<>	Fit EV<>	CR-V<>

Production Models
	FCX Clarity	Fit Hybrid / Fit Shuttle Hybrid
	Odyssey	Step WGN Spada
	Accord	Freed Hybrid / Freed Spike Hybrid
	Insight	CR-Z

[Motorcycles]

	Concept Models
		MOTOR COMPO<>	E-CANOPY<>	RC-E<>

Planned Production Models
	NC700S<>	INTEGRA<>	NC700X<>
	CRF250L<>	CBR1000RR<>

Production Models
	Goldwing	VFR1200F Dual Clutch Transmission
	CB1300 Super Bol d'Or	CB400 Super Four
	Dio110	PCX	EV-neo

Custom Concept Models
	NC700S Custom Concept<>	Integra Custom Concept<>
	NC700X Custom Concept<>	CRF250L Custom Concept<>
	CRF450R Custom Concept<>	CB1100 Custom Concept
	CBR250R Custom Concept	Benly 110 Custom Concept

Others (Models sold outside of Japan, etc.)
	Crosstourer<>	VFR800X Mugen
	CB1000R	CBR600F

Commemorative Vehicles (racing machines)
	RC212V (ridden by 2011 Road Race World Championship MotoGP Class champion Casey Stoner)
	CRF450R (ridden in IA1 Class, 2011 All Japan Motocross Championship)
	Montesa COTA 4RT (ridden by the World Trial Championship Series 2011 champion Tony Bou)
	NSF250R (newly developed racer for 2012 Moto 3 class in the Road Race World Championship and for J-GP3 class in All Japan Road Race Championship)

[Power products]

	Concept Model
		TOWNWALKER<>