Complete: Honda S2000 Fastback.

[willimo]

The Honda NSX is an aging performance platform. It has aged gracefully, and remains cutting edge to this day through countless updates by Honda engineers. In the coming years, however, Honda will be phasing out the old Ferrari killer, and putting a new machine on the streets to strike fear into the hearts of those owning exotics. Meanwhile, Honda is fighting a crowd of other Japanese performance machines like the 350Z, Skyline V35, and the Renesis powered RX-8. All are locked in a death battle with the S2000, and despite perfect balance and unmatched handling, the frenetic little 4 cylinder engine cannot keep pace with the others in the hard fought horsepower war.

The high output motor in the roadster is art, but even Honda realizes its limitations. Honda realized there needed to be some change in the in their machine. More power, at the cost of more weight. But Honda can never sacrifice the characteristics of a purebred race machine; the balance, the predictability at the edge, and the unupsettable poise that are the mark of only the finest racing machines.

Honda developed an all new V-6 using all the knew from the continuing education the NSX provided and the innovation that made the original S2000 such a remarkable automobile. A 3.2 liter naturally aspirated V-6 pumping out a good 320hp rests under the long hood, behind the front wheels and driving the rear. The power isn’t made effortlessly, though, the engine red lines at an insane 8900RPM, and generating peak power at 8400, making it every bit as at home on the track as the original machine.
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Of course, you are wondering, what about the handling? As every dyed in the wool Honda enthusiast knows, where they often lack in the power department they make up for in control. This car follows in the true Honda spirit. To make up for the extra weight up front, Honda decided to do away with the convertible top and add a fastback. This brings more weight further back in the car, and keeps the perfect 50:50 weight distribution. And don’t think all this extra steel makes this machine a porker either, because it isn’t steel. Many construction techniques have been borrowed from the NSX, and many components are made of aluminum to keep weight down. Again, drawing on their immense experience in the area, Honda engineers have improved further on the already lauded S2000 chassis, taking advantage of the enclosed roof to build what has to be the stiffest frame ever on a production car.

Brakes are upgraded to almost exotic ceramic units to stop the lightweight, high powered machine dead in its tracks. Subtle aerodynamics are also incorporated to make an overall classy but race inspired statement. They are also functional, with an incorporated splitter along the bottom of the leading edge, a small but effective diffuser in the rear, and a small spoiler on the rear deck to keep the machine stable at speed, and planted firmly to the ground in the corners.

This car has birthed a new breed, touching supercar performance in a very approachable package. With understandable excitement, Honda is proud to introduce for the 2006 model year: the completely different S2000 V6.

[willimo]

[willimo]

Since it’s my build, let me lead with a few words in my defense. The idea behind this model was what if Honda went in next the logical direction with the S2000, and made it a fastback like the S600 before it? Therefore the body modifications are purposefully simple. However, this lead to the greatest drawback to the modification.

The biggest problem I see with it is there is entirely too much room between the beltline and the bottom edge of the car. Too much uninterrupted room. It’s really strange because I only added about 2 ¾” to the bottom edge of the car. Next, and as a direct result of the extended bodywork, the wheels are entirely too big. I would have been better off with some 17” rims to retain that factory stock look. I do sort of like how the wheels fill the arches, and I think the white rims look good against the red, but it isn’t something you would expect from a Honda factory. I was on the fence about the splitter since I first saw it on the Honda SSM concept car. It certainly adds something to the front end, but the area below the headlamps looks unfinished. If I extended the front opening further out, perhaps even by just adding a shallower angle to the corners, I think I could have broken up the monotony there. I like the fastback very much. I can only find a couple things wrong with it: the panel and window are flat, and the drip lines on the roof do not extend to the trunk. These two things are, however, limited by my modeling skill. Better luck next time. I like the rear bumper. I think it looks enough like a functional splitter to say that it does indeed represent one in miniature. I never really liked the way the Honda exhausts hung below the bumper, they seemed sort of standoffish, so I incorporated them into the lower edge. That way the bodywork includes the exhaust, and keeps the car tidy and complete looking. My favorite part is the rear spoiler, which matches the curvature of the 3rd brake perfectly, and adds enough visual interest to the rear to avoid boring the people this car smokes on the street. The color is an aggressive color typical of what the factory would use, and the interior colors go with it perfectly in my opinion. This car I think captures the spirit of the S2000, doesn’t betray its lines (too much) and gives it an exciting new look without making too much of a departure from the original. It is far from perfect, but I like it well, and would like it even if I hadn’t been the builder.

Edit: I know I've come down pretty harshly on people in the past and critiqued others' customizations. This will be ya'll's chance to rip on me. I am encouraging any and all feedback even if you want to rip me a new one 'cause I made a damn ugly model. I am really curious to see what ya'll will say regarding both technical and style aspects. Thanks for lookin', folks!

[Vric]

A-w-e-r-s-o-m-e !!!

[SonyMobile]

Looks great,

[Howielong]

Umm my words can't describe how great it is.

[impreza2k2]

The only drawback i felt was the headlight, which it wasn't the updated style one, otherwise it'll be perfect! imo, if the body is titanium silver with gunmetal rims, i think it'll looks better, just like the nsx concept car. But overall i like it.

[CADguy]

In a word it's AWESOME!! Great job.

The flow of the car from front to back is sweet. All of the design aspects look spot on for a production vehicle. Under the hood is very impressive. The color is a great choice and gives it a classy, elegant look.

Watching this progress has been fun to watch, and informative. Thanks for the progress thread.

The only thing I'm not fond of are the white wheels. That's just a personal preference though. (I don't think they look right on any car) I think light gunmetal would match and compliment the exterior color well.

I'd love to see a side by side pic of both of your S2k's with the hoods open.

So what S2K version is next. Wagon, or sedan?

[mike@af]

Very nice Will! I dont think you wrote enough about it though. Excellent job, the NSX motor looks great!

[turbo type-r]

incredible magnicifent superb

[p9o1r1sche]

Post a pic of the front end with the hood closed.

I'm far from a auto styling expert, but I think you covered the critque well enough, maybe a little too harshly. I agree about the waistline to bottom being too much and the wheels too big. I would have preferred a top with larger windows and a graceful curve from the top to the back at the cool spoiler, but that's just me. There will always be a next time - right?

[lotus_man]

Fantastic build, I love the look and agree entirelly with your sentiments on why Handa needs this car. I just wonna know what the color is, as I have a GT2 Porshe it'd look kinda cool on.

I'm going to have to disagree with your comments on the beltline, I think it looks just about right to me, the section from the rear wheel arch to the top of the fenders makes me think Aston DB7/9... My one comment would be that the fastback tappers to fast in plan view for me, I'd have had the sides more parallel. But in the grand scheme of things youve done a way better job than most car designers would have!

What you have gotten me thinking is... what would happen if you put an M Coupe style back end on it? Honda Shooting-break? S2000 estate? I dunno but I might have to give it some thought!

So what do we get to see from you next?

[jswillmon]

unbeliveable....awesome work!

[willimo]

impreza2k2 - I would have also liked to make the headlamps the updated type, however this is beyond my skill level at the moment. I did, however, purposely leave the rear because I like the 4 lamps better than 6.

CADguy - I meant to take pictures of them together, but I when I brought in my.. erm.. studio, my cat ruined my backdrop. I will get them tomorrow, as I like the idea as well. The white wheels seem to be a bone of contention, but... I fancy them so that's how I made it. What's next? I hadn't thought about it, but what about a breadwagon, like the late '60's Ferraris?

GTMike400 - Thanks. The motor lacks detail but The Dude abides. I decided I wanted to get this done before finals so I wouldn't be distracted, there were some concessions made. I also wrote about double what you see above, I had to pare it down for posting considerably. Even in the long version, my thoughts were not fully expressed. I tend to be rather verbose, as you can no doubt tell.

p9o1r1sche - I guess there could be more curves, though the S2000 isn't particularly cuvaceous, it's got a wonderfully executed dichotomy between curves and angles. That's part of why I like it so much. The windows are small, I agree, "sitting" in the driver's seat (putting my eye real close to the front windshield) exposed some nasty blindspots to go with the odd look. And, since I was to caught up in the rear end I forgot, this is for you:

[robrex]

Very, very nice work Willimo !!