Again Life in teh states isn't fair
08-13-2003, 11:32 PM
#1
i
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,277
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Again Life in teh states isn't fair
08-13-2003, 11:42 PM
#4
i
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,277
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
wtf the link doesn't work correctly
Road test
Honda - Mugen S2000
[August 01 2003]
The standard S2000 is wonderful already, but there's not much that can't be improved with a tweak. 'Mugen' is a small Japanese word for a big concept meaning 'infinite', as well as being a name linked with Honda's motorsport involvement, so it's a good badge to have on the side of a car.
The first things I notice, though, are the wheels - now replaced by a set of OZ alloys. At the back are two large-diameter exhaust pipes, not too boy-racerish. The system is stainless steel at either side of the catalytic convertor and is 24lbs lighter. It also sounds dark and mellifluous, yet with an edge.
On the other side of the manifolds is a new carbon-fibre and aluminium air intake box providing cool air to the engine. Hot air is less dense and results in slight power loss. Affecting the engine's breathing in this way changes the power and torque output. The standard car has 238bhp at 8,300rpm and 153lb ft of torque at a similarly high-strung 7,500rpm. With Mugen mods, peak torque is reached around 6,500rpm and stays fairly flat until around 8,000rpm.
Normally, there's a little flat spot in both power and torque delivery at 6,000rpm, just before the VTEC variable valve timing kicks in and transforms the car into an accelerative beast all the way to the 9,000rpm red line. But not here. Although outright grunt remains virtually the same, the Mugen car allows a little more access to it lower down the rev range and pulls that flat spot into an upward-looking curve. On the road, there's still the distinct VTEC step as the revs run through from sauntering to shattering modes. It feels like there's a little more mid-range thump, but it's fairly subtle.
If there was any major criticism of the S2000 in the past, it was the electrically-assisted power steering. It lacks feel but has the virtue of being quick. With bigger wheels and wider rubber, the steering here has slowed noticeably, without adding any more feel. With bigger wheels and lower profile tyres, the ride is harder too, making me more aware of scuttle shake than in standard S2000s. Then again, the already generous levels of grip are higher still.
So, either you spend £26,000 on a straight S2000 or £29,710 on something a bit different (or more if additional body kit and different alloys caught your fancy).
Colin Ryan
Road test
Honda - Mugen S2000
[August 01 2003]
The standard S2000 is wonderful already, but there's not much that can't be improved with a tweak. 'Mugen' is a small Japanese word for a big concept meaning 'infinite', as well as being a name linked with Honda's motorsport involvement, so it's a good badge to have on the side of a car.
The first things I notice, though, are the wheels - now replaced by a set of OZ alloys. At the back are two large-diameter exhaust pipes, not too boy-racerish. The system is stainless steel at either side of the catalytic convertor and is 24lbs lighter. It also sounds dark and mellifluous, yet with an edge.
On the other side of the manifolds is a new carbon-fibre and aluminium air intake box providing cool air to the engine. Hot air is less dense and results in slight power loss. Affecting the engine's breathing in this way changes the power and torque output. The standard car has 238bhp at 8,300rpm and 153lb ft of torque at a similarly high-strung 7,500rpm. With Mugen mods, peak torque is reached around 6,500rpm and stays fairly flat until around 8,000rpm.
Normally, there's a little flat spot in both power and torque delivery at 6,000rpm, just before the VTEC variable valve timing kicks in and transforms the car into an accelerative beast all the way to the 9,000rpm red line. But not here. Although outright grunt remains virtually the same, the Mugen car allows a little more access to it lower down the rev range and pulls that flat spot into an upward-looking curve. On the road, there's still the distinct VTEC step as the revs run through from sauntering to shattering modes. It feels like there's a little more mid-range thump, but it's fairly subtle.
If there was any major criticism of the S2000 in the past, it was the electrically-assisted power steering. It lacks feel but has the virtue of being quick. With bigger wheels and wider rubber, the steering here has slowed noticeably, without adding any more feel. With bigger wheels and lower profile tyres, the ride is harder too, making me more aware of scuttle shake than in standard S2000s. Then again, the already generous levels of grip are higher still.
So, either you spend £26,000 on a straight S2000 or £29,710 on something a bit different (or more if additional body kit and different alloys caught your fancy).
Colin Ryan
08-13-2003, 11:55 PM
#7
MR, ftw
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Broomfield, CO
Posts: 4,755
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I had to read slower cause I was using an English accent. 
<sarcasm>Also, he said the VTEC "kicks in". What a ricer. </sarcasm>:fawk:
:edited for the slow and irritable
<sarcasm>Also, he said the VTEC "kicks in". What a ricer. </sarcasm>:fawk::edited for the slow and irritable
08-13-2003, 11:56 PM
#8
i
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,277
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally posted by g2tegls
I had to read slower cause I was using an English accent. Also, he said the VTEC "kicks in". What a ricer. :fawk:
I had to read slower cause I was using an English accent.
Also, he said the VTEC "kicks in". What a ricer. :fawk:
08-13-2003, 11:58 PM
#9
MR, ftw
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Broomfield, CO
Posts: 4,755
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally posted by The Beav
ever driven an S2000, the vtec change over is very noticeable :slap:
ever driven an S2000, the vtec change over is very noticeable :slap:
08-13-2003, 11:59 PM
#10
i
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,277
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally posted by g2tegls
Have you? I was referring to how everyone jumps on nuts for people saying VTEC "kicks in". Certain people get pissy about how you word stuff.
Have you? I was referring to how everyone jumps on nuts for people saying VTEC "kicks in". Certain people get pissy about how you word stuff.