We Didn’t Buy a Mode of Transport; We Bought a “Dead Copy of an F1 Engine”
“In a normal car, the engine would blow into pieces at these RPMs. But here, that’s just the S2000’s ‘daily routine’.”
I’ll be honest. The S2000 is like a beautiful accident that happened because Honda got a bit too excited for their 50th anniversary and accidentally unleashed a “street-legal racing car” upon the world.
Especially the “F20C” unit found in the early model (AP1). Despite being a 2.0-liter NA (naturally aspirated) engine, it cranks out 250 horsepower. That’s 125 hp per liter. For about 10 years, until the Ferrari 458 Italia arrived, this engine held the throne for “World’s Highest Specific Output for a Production Car.”
【Depth of Technology】The “Insane” Internals That Realized 9,000 RPM
Why does this thing rev like a motorcycle? Behind the scenes lies the violence of metallurgical engineering that Honda cultivated in F1.
【3 Reasons Why the F20C is Called a “Monster”】
- FRM Cylinder Liners: Magic walls made by injecting carbon fiber into aluminum—harder and lighter than iron.
- Forged Aluminum Pistons: Ultra-lightweight, high-rigidity parts that completely ignore the costs of a mass-produced car.
- Piston Speed 25.2 m/s: A physical speed rivaling F1 engines of that era, pushing the absolute limits of physics.
The “Piercing AP1” vs. The “Torquey AP2.” An Eternal Holy War
In 2005, with the arrival of the 2.2-liter “F22C,” a massive faction war erupted in the S2000 community.
- AP1 (2.0L): An addictive euphoria that pierces all the way to 9,000 RPM.
- AP2 (2.2L): Refined with increased low-to-mid-range torque, pursuing practical “speed” in the real world.
Fundamentalists scream, “It’s not an S2000 if it only revs to 8,000,” while realists argue, “The AP2 is superior because it’s usable on city streets.”
Which one is better? It’s the ultimate luxury dilemma. It’s like arguing over “extra broth” vs. “extra onions” in a beef bowl. To an outsider, it doesn’t matter, but to us, it’s a matter of life and death.
The Price of Sensuality. The Resolve to Maintain This “Work of Art”
But never forget: this engine is a precision work of art. The F20C cylinders (FRM liners) are so specialized that a standard overhaul using boring is impossible. In other words, if you seize the engine or it reaches its limit, you’re looking at an “engine swap” or “ultra-expensive specialized repairs.”
Even for simple oil management, you can’t treat it like a normal car. You must always use the highest grade oil and keep your senses sharpened. This thrilling tension is the very “joy” of owning an S2000.
【Conclusion】Carve the Roar of 9,000 RPM into a Page of History
An engine like this will never be released again. Swallowed by the waves of carbon neutrality and efficiency, these “unnecessarily passionate machines” are destined for extinction.
That is exactly why we keep revving. That metallic roar the moment the VTEC switches. If you haven’t tasted this “drug” yet, you should grab the wheel before it’s too late.
関連投稿:
Honda S2000: The Evolution of AP1 & AP2. How Many Times Has This “Beautiful Weapon” Almost Killed Us?
[Tears of Joy] Will Honda Save the S2000? The “Forever Car” Dream Becomes Reality with Heritage Business Expansion
[Supreme] Maintaining an S2000 Isn’t About “Money,” It’s About “Love” and “Ingenuity”! Why I Still Rev the VTEC in 2026 After Being Abandoned by Online Insurance.
[Pure Self-Satisfaction] A Pharma Professional’s “S2000 Obsession” Explodes! | Logical Drive Lab
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