Honda’s S2000 has a sizable reputation to live up to. Neil Hopkins takes it out for a spin.

There are two types of people in this world. There are those who, when faced with a car that hasn’t been significantly cosmetically redesigned since 1999, would turn their noses up and go for something far more up to the moment. Then there are some who would argue that ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.’ Who to believe, that’s the question?

On first acquaintance, the S2000 certainly doesn’t look as aggressive as you’d expect, given that it has 237 horses pawing at the ground, courtesy of the 2.0-l VTEC power-plant. It’s the sort of car that you could take home to meet your mother and be assured that she wouldn’t think you’ve turned into a speed demon.

But, as we all know, physical appearance isn’t everything. Underneath the well smoothed exterior is an X-bone monocoque frame, lending the car impressive rigidity. This translates through the seat and steering wheel into an expression of confidence and extreme sure-footedness.

This is exceptionally reassuring when you consider the manic engine that lurks within. For those uninitiated into the world of VTEC, you’re unlikely to get the best out of a Honda. The engine note rises with the RPM and, if you’re the sort of person who changes gear by ear, you’ll probably flick through the 6-speed box at around 5000RPM. However, but the time you hit the magic 5k, you’ve got another 3300 revolutions to play with. And this is where the VTEC kicks in with a howl. There’s a frenzy under the bonnet, as through a caged beast has been let loose and the S2000 races forward into the horizon. The swell of power is incredible, and infectious. One can feel the sheer rush of energy travelling through the lower spine as the rear wheels kick up a cloud of dust and you’re away. VTEC power, we salute you.

But the VTEC is controllable. Those who have driven sports cars in the past will no doubt be familiar with hair-trigger throttles which want to propel you into the scenery at the slightest twitch. This is where the S2000 is different – the progressive power is easily harnessed for pottering around the urban environment, and the car is quite happy to do 30mph. As soon as you smell fresh air in front of you, the power is there if you want it in a rush that will take your breath away and leave you gasping for more. And it’s not that thirsty either, with fuel economies of 28.8mpg on the combined runs.

I had the opportunity to take the soft-top out, and was impressed at the level of driver comfort. The amount of wind noise with the roof down is acceptable and can be drowned out with the head-rest mounted speakers for the stereo. However, one of my six-foot plus colleagues did find his gelled hair sticking slightly above the level of the windscreen and collected a couple of bugs on the way. I did suggest that he give the gel a miss for the day, but boys will be boys… At my paltry 5’10’’, not so much as a single strand got lifted. And, when the rains came, we only had to wait six seconds for the roof to automatically slot into position.

The driving position is the same as a proper old-school sports car. You nestle deep within the body of the beast, as though connected to the seat, steering wheel and pedals by more than contact alone. You feel as though the car absorbs you, making it part of you and you integral to it. There’s no better feeling than being hugged by the leather seats in the bowels of the beast.

This being a Honda, nothing much needs to be said about the build quality, tactility of interior surfaces or reliability. It’s so good that we don’t need to spend column inches on it.

To answer the sceptics, I’m firmly of the ‘if it ain’t broke…’ school. Why redesign the S2000, when everything is right about it? It’s subtle on the eye, an animal beneath the metal covers. It’s comfortable, impeccably engineered and obviously designed with those who love driving in mind.

All you need is an excuse to get out on the open road and party like it’s 1999.