Honda reportedly kills S2000 replacement, V8 program, RWD Acuras

[mikeyb]

Honda's attempt to right-size its development schedule and cope with the economic downturn apparently extends beyond the cancellation of the next NSX. According to Autocar, HoMoCo is right-sizing its plans for the next two years, and that includes rethinking the development of a range of rear-wheel-drive Acuras, a new V8, a convertible based on the CR-Z and the S2000's successor.

Acura seems to be carrying the weight of the bad news, with its RWD 7-series rival, originally due out in 2015, cancelled indefinitely, along with development of a V8 engine that would allow the brand to compete with the best and brightest from Germany. The Euro-market Legend could also be on the block and there's a chance that Honda will stop developing two separate Accord models for sale in the U.S. and abroad, instead opting for one mid-size sedan to be sold worldwide.

Unfortunately, the development cease-fire also extends to Honda's smaller offerings. Honda planned to release a drop-top version of its CR-Z after the hybrid goes on sale next year, but that model has been nixed. Even more disturbingly, 2009 will be the last year of production for the S2000, with no heir apparent waiting in the wings.

We're hoping to get more details on the cut-backs as the week progresses, but needless to say, there's more than enough disappointment to go around.

 

[Donas64]

Wow. Honda officially has no cars I'd ever want to own. The financial crisis dominates all!

 

[thaikim]

Yeah that kills any lingering thoughts of ever driving a new Honda/Acura... If they continue down this trend and Hyundai stays the course they are currently on, then I foresee an interesting shift in the Asian car market...

 

[BlackCherry06]

It seems if Hyundai can viably cough up a V6 coupe to rival the G35, Honda could see their way clear to make ONE car that doesn't fit into their new, boring and kinda ugly lineup. I won't weep over the loss of the V8, because I don't think it's necessary. They've continued to up the output on their flagship V6s, so I think they can carry on with that. No, they don't have a car that really competes with the LS460, but do they really need to?

Their BIGGEST mistake is the new noses on the Acura sedans. OMG what a disaster. The Saturn-ish look of the new Accord sedan did them no favors either. Like GM, they can't blame the economy entirely for their current pains.

 

[genericuser]

Wow. Honda officially has no cars I'd ever want to own. The financial crisis dominates all!

I wouldn't kick a fit or a civic si out of my driveway.

 

[Donas64]

I wouldn't kick a fit or a civic si out of my driveway.

Okay I forgot about the Fit. If I was in the market for a vehicle of that type, I would take one over a yaris or any other cometitior.

The Civic SI is a dog that needs to be put down.....and by put down I mean overhauled.

Too Slow

Too Soft

Too Meh

I'd rather have a GTI, MS3, New Hyundai 4cyl coupe.... (I could go on and on) over a civic si.

When honda straps a turbo or gives that bad boy some torque and firms up the suspension, then we can talk.

 

[genericuser]

I agree with you 100%, but I still wouldn't mind an SI as a daily driver. I'm not looking for a performance machine with my DD. Just something that has a lil' pep, and isn't terribly boring. You can start making fun of me at any point here, because my daily is an '04 forester lol.

I also wouldn't buy one of those brand new. 23k on a civic? Pass. Pre-owned? Yes sir.

 

[Donas64]

I agree with you 100%, but I still wouldn't mind an SI as a daily driver. I'm not looking for a performance machine with my DD. Just something that has a lil' pep, and isn't terribly boring. You can start making fun of me at any point here, because my daily is an '04 forester lol.

I also wouldn't buy one of those brand new. 23k on a civic? Pass. Pre-owned? Yes sir.

Maybe used and in 4 door guise if the price was right I'd give it a go. But there are so many cars that does what it trys to do so much better for close to the same or even less money, why bother. I can't imagine a used MS3 is that much more expensive than a used SI.

But the Fit is a brilliant little piece of kit. Honda got that one right. The redesign even looks kinda cool. And the commercials for it a hilarious!

 

[genericuser]

Maybe used and in 4 door guise if the price was right I'd give it a go. But there are so many cars that does what it trys to do so much better for close to the same or even less money, why bother. I can't imagine a used MS3 is that much more expensive than a used SI.

Yeah, I forgot to mention that I'd only want the four door.

 

[coolmazda5]

You can start making fun of me at any point here, because my daily is an '04 forester lol.

Hey, show some respect to the Mazda5 owners who read here

along with development of a V8 engine that would allow the brand to compete with the best and brightest from Germany.

or even Korea? 4.6L V8 from Hyundai? 0-60mph in less than 6 secs?

For the good or the bad, I think Hyundai is on its best moment to beat the big boys...

 

[Donas64]

Hyundai is about to lay the smack down. They crept up on em like a ninja real quiet-like.

 

[thaikim]

Hyundai is about to lay the smack down. They crept up on em like a ninja real quiet-like.

Patience young grasshopper, patience....

 

[aMaff]

The Civic SI is a dog that needs to be put down.....and by put down I mean overhauled.

Too Slow

Too Soft

Too Meh

I'd rather have a GTI, MS3, New Hyundai 4cyl coupe.... (I could go on and on) over a civic si.

When honda straps a turbo or gives that bad boy some torque and firms up the suspension, then we can talk.

are you talking about the new ones? Have you driven one? Have you driven one in anger?

They're actually not bad. Honestly what killed it for me was the electronic throttle. I have a few autocross runs under my belt in one on R's and honestly, they handle really well as far as a heavy-ish FWD car goes. I was able to fairly easily get the rear end to dance w/ the front the way I wanted and trail brake really well.

Though you literally had to think a half second ahead of the throttle. If you wanted to go full throttle at corner exit you needed to have the pedal pinned mid-corner so that when you actually hit corner exit it would finally decide to crack the throttle open.

They're not bad. Would I buy one? Now? No. A few years down the road where I need a 4 seater and want a fun one with some go and they've depreciated significantly? I wouldn't kick it off the list. By the time I can afford one, MS3s will have either mostly been modified to hell, or been completely ragged out. Try to find a truly unmolested Mazdaspeed Protege. It's kind of part of the life cycle of most turbo'd factory 'tuner' cars unfortunately.


Then again, the MS6......


(and that's my shpeal)


EDIT: back on topic, at least I grabbed one while the grabbin' was good

 

[R-X-R]

no more S2000, does that means good luck for MX-5?

those Hyundai guys r gaining on everyone lol.,.,

 

[altspace]

Whoa...holy thread bump!

 

[Kymerik]

I'll continue the zombie like rebirth of this thread by saying this:

Honda does not need a v8, it's not who they are...anyone who thinks you need a V8 to survive in the "luxury" scheme talk to audi who is dropping the V8 and going to FI 6s to make up the difference.

As for the S2000, what a disaster of a decision...it's sleek, sexy, quick, nimble, and well, just got it all!
However, there couldnt possibly be better news for mazda...The MX5 will now have basically no competition at all in it's segment (as if it needed much help)

Ah well, I still have my trusty Honda lawnmower that's been going for over 10 years and still runs like new

 

[nealric]

Well, it appears Honda and Toyota have officially killed off all their interesting cars. What a shame.

Makes me nostalgic for the days of the NSX and the Supra.

 

[1sty]

If the luxury cars are going to continue down the boring path like most large lexus, then you need a V8. BMW and Audi are more of a sports-luxury brand to the general population.
Although its not like honda has a turbo V6 to pull out of there ass either.