Honda Ends Run of S2000 With 2009 Model

Today, Honda announced that its much-revered but slow-selling S2000 is now in its final year of production.

The S2000 was originally envisioned as a tribute to Honda's 50th anniversary — way back in 1999 — but the roadster ended up not just building an enthusiast following, it also sold well.

For most of its life, the S2000 was in short supply, though sales were down more than 40% in 2008. Part of that slide — aside from the recession and the car’s $34,995 price tag — may be attributed to the fact that it hadn’t gotten a complete redesign in nearly a decade.

Overall, the automaker sold 110,000 S2000s worldwide — 65,000 in the States alone. In 2008, Honda sold 2,538 S2000 convertibles in the U.S., while GM sold 10,739 of its Pontiac Solstice roadsters, a cheaper alternative which itself saw sales fall nearly 30% from 2007.

The S2000 has won many awards throughout its run, including four appearances on Car and Driver magazine's "10 Best" list.

Honda is now 60 years old, and its lineup will soon be a little less exciting; the automaker has no replacement convertible or performance vehicle planned.

So here’s to you, S2000: You may be old and dying, but you still hold a special place in the hearts and minds of roadster fans.

2007 New York Auto Show: 2008 Honda S2000 CR

Honda didn’t even have a press conference for it, and the company gave it a “prototype” designation instead of the more popular term “concept.” What does all that mean for the S2000 CR? Not much. The slow-selling — but beloved by owners — S2000 will indeed get the club racer trim shown here. It will arrive at dealerships this fall, lighter and stiffer than the standard S2000.

Fans of the S2000 love it for its track prowess, and the CR should only heighten that devotion. The suspension settings have been set to be “highly aggressive,” and all the weight-saving and aerodynamic work is to reduce lift. But the biggest news of all is that an aluminum hardtop replaces the convertible soft-top as standard equipment. 

Some club racing circuits require a hardtop to get on the track, and the CR delivers that option. It also sports a huge spoiler and nifty nacelles behind the seats. Engine, transmission and interior all remain the same. More photos below.