After a couple of relatively boring decades, Honda reestablished its sporty side several years ago with a couple of pretty impressive sports cars. The NSX was launched in 2015, while we also saw a couple of striking turbocharged Civic Type R models meanwhile. Today, the Type S badge is back in the Acura brand while in Japan, there is also the S660, a new iteration of the legendary roadster. According to the latest rumors, the near future could bring the Honda S1000 as well. At this point, the officials are still quiet, so take the following paragraphs with a big reserve.
If the company decides to make such a vehicle, we have no doubt it would use a proven recipe. In other words, we would see a tiny roadster that comes with a relatively capable engine and is lightweight, with the main focus on driving dynamics and overall driving experience.
Honda S1000 Design
As we’ve just mentioned, we are pretty sure that Honda engineers are about to stick with the proven recipe, if they are willing to launch this model. Most likely, the Honda S1000 would come as an upgrade of the standard S660 model, which would receive a complete overhaul. The Japanese version would carry on with the same 658cc engine, while a more powerful, 1.0-liter engine will be offered abroad.
Other than the engine, things would be pretty much the same in these two models. So, the overall layout would include a classic mid-engine setup, with the powertrain positioned behind the seats, for perfect weight distribution and an excellent driving experience. Speaking of weight, the new model should remain super light and be good for about 900 kilograms (cca 1.900 pounds). Of course, the body style would remain the same, in a typical roadster layout.
Styling and Exterior Design
When it comes to the styling, we have no doubt that the new Honda S1000 would also use the second-generation NSX as inspiration. Therefore, changes wouldn’t be significant compared to the current S660 model. The overall shape would probably remain the same, with the roadster layout and tiny dimensions that meet the demands of the Kei class. The front end would come inspired by the NSX, but some of the styling details could be borrowed from the new Civic as well.
As we’ve just mentioned, the Honda S1000 would continue with tiny dimensions, with the size the meets criteria of the well-known Kei class. For reference, the current S660 is good for about 90 inches in wheelbase. It is 133.7 inches long, 58.1 inches wide and 46.5 inches high. The curb weight goes between 830 and 850 kg, depending on the level of equipment.
Interior
At this point, it is still early to talk about more precise interior details but when it comes to general things, it’s easy to predict the direction of the new Honda S1000. This particularly refers to the overall layout, which will continue with two seats, typical for this type of vehicle. On the other hand, we would expect to see a lot of changes regarding aesthetics.
Of course, the first thing that comes to mind is the dashboard design. If you look at the current S660, you can see elements borrowed from different models in Honda’s portfolio. For example, the instrument cluster looks quite similar to the 9th generation Civic, while the center stack brings a tablet-like infotainment screen. So, we presume that the new Honda S1000 could also borrow some styling bits from the Civic, especially in terms of the digital instrument cluster and larger infotainment screen. Traditionally, Honda offers good build quality, so this model shouldn’t be an exception. Also, we have no doubt that the new model would come with all kinds of tech and safety features.
Honda S1000 Engine
The name says for itself. While the current S660 features a 660cc engine, the new Honda S1000 would come with a 1.0-liter engine. The Japanese manufacturer already has such a vehicle in its portfolio, a 999cc three-cylinder engine, which comes with a turbocharger and powers several models, including the last two generations of Civic. The engine features a max output of 127 horsepower and while that doesn’t sound too much, keep in mind the expected curb weight, which should go around 900 kg. In other words, this engine promises a lot of performance, considering the power to weight ratio.
This engine can come with either a 6-speed manual or a CVT gearbox. We presume that most drivers would rather choose Honda’s excellent manual gearbox, which is still one of the best in the business.
Is Honda S1000 Coming Back?
All this sounds great on paper but the reality is a little bit different. Most likely, the new Honda S1000 won’t come back. We might see a new version of the S660 for the Japanese market but for the international market, Honda will rather go with some bigger sports car. One of them could be a comeback of the iconic Honda Integra, which is coming next year.