http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8272373/site/newsweek/


We don't spend a lot of time agonizing about fuel consumption. The answer is already clear. You are going to have the best fuel economy in class of any vehicle. Period. Have a nice day. You don't need to do any market research. You don't need to do any fancy negotiations because you are never going to get anything approved by the board of directors without proving you have the best fuel economy in class. That's it.

 

When they (honda) designed the S2000, what was the most green thing about it? It doesn't get great gas milage compared to the boxster/z3. I know it meets emissions standards, but I guess they take a lighter approach when it comes to a sportier car.

 

I like this question/answer:
Wake up, Honda. Time to get a better PR machine.

 

If I remember correctly. The s is actually a low emissions vehicle (not sure about that though). but the Vette gets better gas milage

 

probably depends on how you drive it. I am sure if you never went into vtec and shifted conservatively you could get 30mpg.

 

The S is an LEV vehicle, and it gets respectable gas mileage...the corvette gets better gas mileage mainly because of that ridiculou skip shift "feature"

 

The new LS2 is a ULEV-II motor and gets better gas mileage than the S2000. What an awesome motor. I love my F22, but the LSx motors really get the job done in so many areas.

The skip shift feature can be bypassed for a few bucks and 5 minutes of work. Fuel economy for both the Vette and S2000 is based on your driving style, but what I like about the Vette is that it CAN go faster and it CAN get better gas mileage depending on your mood. Best of both worlds.

All that said, Honda cars do get great fuel economy typically. I still like the lean burn Civic HX the best.

 

IMO, the Acura RL has a pretty good example of a good, clean, Honda engine:

Horsepower (SAE net)
300 bhp @ 6200 rpm

Torque
260 lbs-ft @ 5000 rpm

Emissions
ULEV-2

EPA mileage
18/26 mpg

People look at "green-ness" by the fuel economy, but its actually the emissions (the MT Insight gets better mileage, but the CVT burns much cleaner). Supposedly, the new Civic SiR is also a ULEV, which differentiates itself from the RSX-S and other 200 hp compacts. Anyhoo, I'm glad Honda still cares about the environment, even though consumers don't.

 

 

Yes, the S2000 is rated LEV but is hampered as far as mileage by modest torque production at low rpm requiring low gearing.. and that's what burns the fuel.. (a 2 liter at 5000rpm is sweeping the same volume as a 6 liter at 1700 rpm).

The low rpm torque production of the large Vette engine means you can lumber along on the highway at low rpm. A pass can be made without running up the rpm too much while with the S2000 it is easy (and fun) to drop to third and hit 9000 rpm a couple of times that destroys gas mileage.

Just drive the S2000 in higher gears to get decent mileage.. I have had some highway tanks over 30 mpg, and there are lots of disciplined drivers that have had extended trips with mileage approaching 35.

The S2000 was a model to celebrate Honda's 50th and show off technology and provides amazing performace with low displacement. I think it was close to meeting the best in class mileage goal.