Will Honda bring the S2000 back? 

Throughout Honda’s history the brand has built countless front-wheel drive icons. As for rear wheel drive? There are far fewer examples, but they are arguably more iconic. 

Aside from the NSX, the S2000 was Honda’s only other rear-driven hero, produced for a decade, from 1999 to 2009, this open-topped sports car was loved by many for its impeccable driving dynamics and high-revving naturally aspirated engine. 

Considering the recent unveiling of the Prelude, it seems Honda might be getting nostalgic about its previous models, so the question was put to the brand’s executives at the recent Japan Mobility Show. 

According to a report from Australian outlet Drive, Chief Engineer of Prelude Tomoyuki Yamagami was asked about whether or not there is any desire of bringing back the S2000.

READ MORE: 1999 Honda S2000 Driven

Via an interpreter, Yamagami-san said “Of course, everybody thinks so. Every Honda employee loves S2000, someday, I’d like to [build another one].”

Considering the uniqueness of the S2000 among Honda’s other mass market front-driven offerings at the time of production, there’s no doubt that it would have been a big project to get over the line. 

It is likely Honda finds itself in a similar situation in the present day, with energy efficiency and cost-effectiveness being the target of the majority of vehicles. Aside from the Civic Type R and revived Prelude, performance doesn’t seem to be too much of a priority. 

In the case of the Civic Type R and the Prelude, both of which are based on vehicles Honda already produces, so the costs can be kept relatively in check.

Unless it paired with another brand (like Toyota did with BMW for the new Supra), Honda would have to develop a rear-drive platform from the ground up, meaning R&D costs would be massive, and likely passed onto the customers.