The Honda S2000’s horsepower varies by market and generation, but most US-spec cars sit around 240 hp, while JP/European variants cap around 247–250 hp. Between generations and special editions, the official figures span roughly 237–250 hp depending on the version.
The S2000 is a high-revving roadster produced from 1999 to 2009, with two main engine revisions and several market-specific calibrations. To understand the numbers, it helps to map them to the major variants and how horsepower is measured in different regions.
Variants and horsepower figures
Here are the main S2000 variants and their official horsepower figures, noting differences by market and generation.
- US AP1 (1999–2003): 240 hp (SAE) at roughly 7,800–8,000 rpm; peak torque around 153 lb-ft.
- JP/Euro S2000 (AP1/JDM): 250 PS (about 247 hp) at about 7,800–8,000 rpm; torque around 153 lb-ft.
- US AP2 (2004–2009): 237 hp at roughly 7,800 rpm; torque around 162 lb-ft.
- S2000 Club Racer (CR, 2007–2009): typically 237 hp at about 7,800–8,000 rpm with weight reductions and revised gearing.
In short, official horsepower for the S2000 ranges from about 237 hp to 250 PS (roughly 247 hp) depending on model year and market, with US cars commonly cited around 240 hp.
Why the numbers differ
Several factors influence the published horsepower figures beyond the engine itself, including the measurement standard (SAE vs DIN), the market (US vs JP/EU), and minor tuning variations across model years and special editions.
Measurement standards
US ratings are typically SAE net horsepower, while European and Japanese figures are commonly given in metric horsepower (PS). One PS is about 0.986 SAE hp, so 250 PS ≈ 246–247 hp in SAE terms.
Real-world performance and considerations
Dyno results can vary due to environmental conditions, altitude, wear, and testing methodology. Even within the same variant, a well-maintained car may demonstrate horsepower figures slightly above or below the official rating depending on tuning and exhaust configuration.
Summary
The Honda S2000’s horsepower depends on the variant and market. US models generally list about 240 hp, while JP/Euro versions are around 247–250 hp. The later AP2 cars typically show about 237 hp, with the Club Racer edition retaining similar power but shedding weight for performance gains. For any specific vehicle, verify the exact rating from the manufacturer documentation or the vehicle’s VIN-decoding sources, as regional calibrations and model-year updates can shift the figure by a few horses.