Ask any Honda car enthusiast and they will tell you the high-revving S2000 and razor-sharp Civic Type R are two models you cannot go wrong with.
The S2000 is a sports car that remains relevant performance-wise even today, almost ten years after it went out of production. As for the latest Civic Type R, it’s arguably the best hot hatch on sale today. So which one is quicker on the track?
Well, the following video from Speed Academy tries to settle that. Mind you, the cars in the filmed track battle aren’t in stock configuration. The Civic Type R features lowering springs and rolls on 19-inch alloys shod with Continental Extreme Contact Sport tires. Other mods include a 3-inch downpipe and a new exhaust system.
Also watch: Honda S2000 Sets Impressive 7:59 Nurburgring Bridge To Gantry Time
As for the Honda S2000, it’s an AP1 that features the AP2 engine and transmission, custom intake and exhaust systems, Eibach R2 coil-overs, and huge front splitter and rear wing. To keep things as balanced as possible, the S2000 runs on the same tires in this track battle.
Right off the bat, it becomes very clear that the Civic Type R can’t get close to the S2000 roadster in corners. The lower center of gravity, lower weight, and rear-wheel-drive setup make the roadster sensibly quicker in turns. That is a remarkable feat given that almost two decades passed between the launch of the S2000 and the arrival of the latest Civic Type R.
Where the Civic Type R shines, though, is on the straights. The turbo engine’s higher torque allows it to overtake the S2000 in a straight line. But is that enough for the hot hatch to post a better lap time? Watch the video to find out.