2008 Honda S2000 CR Club Racer
April 5, 2007 by Alborz Fallah
The Honda S2000 has been Honda’s little secret for the last 7 years. Its one of those cars that turns heads where ever it goes, yet it does it for all the right reasons. Having arrived on our shores in 1999, the S2000 has stayed relatively the same. However, Honda America have just given word about the new 2008 Honda S2000 CR at the New York International Auto Show.
The S2000 CR will be available as an entirely new S2000 trim level when it goes on sale (in America) late 2007.
Honda has designed this car for the weekend racer, with lighter, stiffer and more aggressive overall design as well as highly-aggressive suspension settings, increased body and chassis rigidity, overall weight reduction and an aerodynamic body kit dialed-in for reduced lift.
This S2000 is definitely not one to mess with. Furthermore the CR spec comes with an aluminum hardtop as standard replacing the the convertible soft top (saving 40kg when removed).
“The S2000 CR is the closest thing you can get to a Honda-built racecar with license plate holders and a horn its features and equipment are designed to appeal to weekend club racing enthusiasts.” said John Mendel, executive vice president of American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
The new full-body body kit reduces lift through large and highly-tuned front and rear spoilers. The S2000 CR also gets quicker steering ratio, Bridgestone Potenza RE070 tires (same as the ones found on the WRX STi), a wider rear tire size, firmer springs and dampers, larger stabilizer bars and a new wheel design in a dark gray color.
Of course, the car also gets an exclusive interior with unique features such as yellow stitching, a spherical aluminum shifter and carbon fiber-style trim panels. But being a track car, simple things like air conditioning and an AM/FM Stereo with CD player are optional equipment.
Nonetheless, what you get as standard include
- 17-inch aluminum alloy wheels,
- ABS and Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA). 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.
The S2000 CR, at least the US version comes with a 2.2-liter, 16-valve DOHC VTEC® 4-cylinder engine and a short throw 6-speed manual transmission, along with tenacious handling and a perfect 50/50 weight balance.
The current 2.0L engine found in the Australian version has 176kW of power and 208Nm of Torque. The 2.2L engine in the S2000 CR has 176kW of power but increases torque to 219Nm. Being a Honda engine, the power is achieved around the 6,800 rpm mark, the S2000 loves to rev.
The big question is whether or not Australia will get this car. From Honda’s sale stats from 2006, sales of the S2000 were in the double figures, so the car is struggling to sell given its rather unchanged characteristics and look. If Honda Australia plan to sell a few more S2000s, the S2000 CR should be making its way to Australia sometime next year.
Print it: 
This has to be a lesson in how to make a nice looking car look completely ridiculous. Looks as though Honda America’s design department consists of a tobacco chewing hillbilly and a lets wack some weird shapes on it ricer.
Yuck.
Haha Steane, I actually think it looks good!
I think all the aerodynamics are there less drag etc.. I am not a fan of the blue colour but nonetheless, I think the S2000 can do with some change, its been the same for so long, people are getting a little bored.
Yeah not that bad looking but it could do without the wing on the back… maybe stick a half naked chick in the passenger seat and i might like it alot more!
It would make a good snow-plough.
It’s not to bad apart from the colour, so if Honda are bring this out next year, I guessing they aren’t planning to phrase the S2000 like the Integra?
i dont know bout yall, but i think its time they put some back seats! yes??? cause i need the room if i wanna take in a few friends.
RICE
lose the wing and the stupid front spoiler plow.
ruined a lovely car!
the only thing that pisses me off about the s2k is that it has’nt change since its was released.. they could use an update.. atleast an new engine or front and rear lights or something.. too much of that same thing gets boring as hell
BMWsauberF1- they released a revised version in 2004 with new alloys, difference engine specs and different suspension mods, so they have changed it quite significantly. The post 2004 version is a lot better looking car. However, I do agree that it needs an update with a bit of a new look, as those mods didn’t change it noticably! Lose the plow front and the wing!
You guys… the whole point of the wing is to create downforce. Remember, this is the CR version. If you don’t like the wing, then buy the other one.
And for those who say it hasn’t changed and is boring… that’s just dumb. Would you rather have a new Solstice or Miat, for that matter, or a 2008 S2000???
It’s still one awesome car at that price.
You have to admit….The new CR performs like u would not believe. The 6 speed manual short throw is unbelievable; never the less the foundation of the CR is a prime canidate for building a true track car. I purchased a black , with the dark grey wheels and I am very fond of the appearance. Every aspect of the CR serves a purpose. The modifications for this car are endless. I would have liked a radio, but I rather install an aftermarket system anyway. You know what they say….If ain’t broke, dont fix it!!! Every one has their own opinion, but I researched and drove the following: Z3 roadster, Mazda RX-8, GTO, Solstice Turbo, and many more. Yet, from my opinion none of them even compared to the CR. A lot of people who comment do not even know the half about the roadster class. Do a little research and drive the car, most of you will be very impressed at the capability of the CR!
CR means club racing. This is not your “normal” Honda. Performance takes precidence over looks. This car does so and wins races.