Coming to a Track Near You: Club Racer-Inspired 2008 Honda S2000 CR

[94civicEX]

Prototype Makes World Debut at the New York International Auto Show NEW YORK - Apr 04 — The club racer-inspired 2008 Honda S2000 CR Prototype making its world debut at the New York International Auto Show introduces a higher level of track-worthy performance and style to the S2000 roadster, American Honda Motor Co., Inc., announced today. The S2000 CR will be available as an entirely new S2000 trim level when it goes on sale in the fall of 2007. The lighter, stiffer and more aggressive overall design is engineered to maximize the S2000's potential on a racetrack with the goal of substantially-improving track times, chassis balance and feel. The factory-tuned roadster provides highly-aggressive suspension settings, increased body and chassis rigidity, overall weight reduction and an aerodynamic body kit dialed-in for reduced lift. An aluminum hardtop replaces the convertible soft top as standard equipment. "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 full-body aerodynamic package reduces lift through large and highly-tuned front and rear spoilers. Exclusive chassis features include a quicker steering ratio, Bridgestone Potenza RE070 tires, a wider rear tire size, firmer springs and dampers, larger stabilizer bars and a new wheel design in a dark gray color. Substantial structural bracing has been added to the storage area previously occupied by the soft top, resulting in additional rigidity. The aluminum hard top replaces the soft top of the conventional S2000, resulting in an overall weight savings of approximately 90 pounds when removed (relative to the current S2000). The exclusive interior is highlighted by unique cloth seating surfaces with yellow stitching, a unique spherical aluminum shifter and carbon fiber-style trim panels. Air conditioning and an AM/FM Stereo with CD player are optional equipment. Standard features for the S2000 include 17-inch aluminum alloy wheels, ABS and Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA). While VSA serves to effectively enhance driver control during acceleration, braking, and cornering, the system can be disabled with the touch of a button when conditions warrant it. Widely considered the quintessential roadster-style sports car, the S2000 is the performance icon for the Honda brand and combines uncompromising racetrack-ready performance with everyday usability. The S2000 rewards driving enthusiasts with a potent 2.2-liter, 16-valve DOHC VTEC® 4-cylinder engine and a precise, short throw 6-speed manual transmission, along with tenacious handling and a perfect 50/50 weight balance. The renowned high-revving engine delivers 237 horsepower at 7,800 rpm and 162 lb-ft. of torque at 6,800 rpm. Perfectly complimenting the engine's output characteristics is a compact, longitudinally-mounted, close-ratio 6-speed manual transmission that features a direct linkage for precise shifting and quick throws. Combined with a front and rear double wishbone suspension, precise electric power steering, and a torque-sensing limited slip differential, the end result is a complete, no compromise, performance package for the enthusiast driver. For more information about Honda vehicles, please visit www.honda.com. For media inquiries, please go to www.hondanews.com. More...

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[Ochdx]

http://blogs.edmunds.com/Straightline/2571

Of all the people who might be expected to bolt a conspicuously large wing to the tail of an S2000, perhaps the least likely would be Honda itself. But there it sat in all its Smurf-blue glory at a small event on the eve of the New York auto show's opening day. It is the 2008 S2000 CR and its rear wing is in fact conspicuously large. Honda says that the special-edition S2000 contains no fluff — even the wing is functional. Honda says it produces a small amount of downforce at high speed. Likewise Honda says the little jowls at the lower corners of the nose reduce aerodynamic lift at speed. The company even claims some sort of aerodynamic purpose for the two new humps behind the seats' headrests. We suspect the real purpose is that Honda thinks all of this looks cool.

he CR amendment to the name stands for Club Racer and while the car make no more horsepower than a standard S2000, the company says it's faster around a racetrack. This is thanks, in part, to a weight loss of about 90 pounds. The company ditched the soft top. (A removable aluminum hard top comes standard.) Where the soft top would be stowed is a new structural element that stiffens the car's structure. The company has also retuned the suspension with stiffer springs and dampers and fatter antiroll bars. The CR carries unique 17-inch wheels with near-race-slick Bridgestone Potenza RE070 tires. Those, incidentally, are the exact same tires that the company put on the NSX Type-R. The CR carries a quicker steering ratio than the standard S2000, has grippy (and yellow) fabric-covered seats in place of leather and a shorter shifter lever with shorter throws for the standard six-speed manual transmission.

The company says it will build 2,000 CRs per year. They go on sale this fall for an unspecified price. And you don't have to get it in the crazy blue pictured here. Unfortunately, the wing is mandatory. — Daniel Pund, Senior Editor, Detroit
















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[Ochdx]

You know, my original reaction was "what a bastardized rice pos", but now its kind of growing on me - especially the white one, it look hot!

[Phantom3JT]

Honda needs to do two major things, a price this less than 30 grand if your taking out the comforts and to attract a larger base. And 2ndly they need new seats in the car have have the whole for a racing harness. Whats a club racer without the harness??

[ErichPryde]

why would they price it LESS than 30,000? the regular ol' S2000 is what, 32, 33k? I built one on the honda website with everything I wanted and it was 37,500 or something.
if it has completely performance oriented suspension, tires, etc it is going to be more. Also, that all aluminum hard top can't come cheap.

I think this car will do just fine, attention wise. at 2,000 units a year, I'm sure Honda will have no problem finding buyers. demand will be high. hell, if I had 38k to spend on a car, I'd go buy one of these. the wing is a little big, but the whole design is sexy, and growing on me.

[BONE]

The car looks nice but it needs to lose the wing its too ricey IMO

[Ochdx]

It's not gonna lose the wing, the wing is going to be sort of a signature - just like the wing on the good old ITR.