Honda could reveal a new sports car in 2023 as it celebrates its 75th anniversary, building on decades of motorsport-honed performance expertise.
- S2000 was launched during the 50th anniversary of the company
- Honda has a lineup of electric cars planned until 2030
The firm has just revealed a trio of crucial new mass market electrified SUVs, but enthusiasts remain an important part of the brand's business, according to Europe vice president Tom Gardner. He would not go so far as to reveal the positioning of the new model, nor its powertrain, but did suggest that it's imminent and that it could be as important as the last sports car that marked a Honda anniversary: "Watch this space: [2023 is] 75 years – we had the S2000 at 50. Who knows…"
Reports of a revived S2000 have been circulating for several years. In 2017, then Honda CEO Takahiro Hachigo said, “I’ve already heard many voices expressing they’d like a next-generation S2000. Honda development engineers are quick to develop sporty cars if the requests are there."
Electric NSX successor in the works
However, other possibilities for a new sports car remain. Last year, Honda confirmed that it would introduce an electric successor to the NSX supercar and a new 'flagship' GT-style model as part of a wave of 30 new EVs being launched globally by 2030.
"Honda always has a passion to offer fun for its customers," the firm said at the time, promising it will continue to offer a "sports mindset and distinctive characteristics".
More recently, one of Honda's lead engineers, Hideki Kakinuma, told Autocar that "without Type R, there is no Honda," confirming that there is a place for the acclaimed performance division in the electrified era.
Dipan Sur
Viraaj Bhatnagar
