Honda S2000 revival rumoured

AutoExpress claims the Honda S2000 - a convertible sports car that hasn't been sold since 2009 - will form part of a trio of sports cars for the Japanese brand, including the recently confirmed S660 baby roadster and the range-topping NSX supercar.

Unlike the first-generation S2000, the new car is said to be a coupe rather than a convertible. That's according to AutoExpress's insider who said a secret meeting was held at the Honda research and development centre in Togichi, Japan. That person apparently suggested all three models would be mid-engined, a claimed first for any manufacturer.

According to the source, the new S2000 will boast similar styling to the S660 and NSX (seen below in concept form) including slimline headlights, a prominent grille and aggressive lines across the body of the car.

The new model is rumoured to feature a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine borrowed from the new-generation Honda Civic Type R, though this version is said to utilise hybrid assistance that will reportedly allow it fuel consumption of about 7.0 litres per 100km, while managing a 0-100km/h time of about five seconds. Power may be sent to all four wheels, too.

Honda showed the OSM (Open Study Model) concept car in 2008 which was expected to form the basis for the next-generation S2000, but until now there has been no news of a production model for the brand.