ian_ap1

Did Ayrton Senna influence the development of the S2000? I know he heavily influenced the development of the NSX. I also know the S2000 was manufactured in the same plant as the NSX (and Honda Insight lolz). So, if the S2K was made to commemorate Honda's success in racing, Senna had to have inspired it since the Honda powered MP4/4 won every race in the 1988 season (fact check me, it might have been all but one). Not only that, but the gauge cluster on the S2000 resembles that of the MP4/4. I know that Senna died in 1994 and I believe the S2000 was still a concept in the mid to late 90's, so I was curious and thought I'd ask you guys.

(I though about putting a Senna sticker on the windscreen between the seats but I wanted to make sure my history was right).

electricmarauder

The SSM concept car was introduced in 1995 and S2000 was developed to celebrate Honda's 50th anniversary. You can probably use the word "influence" when considering Senna and looking at some of the S2000 features but I'm pretty sure he wasn't directly involved with the S2000. If you are going for a historically accurate sticker than I don't think a Senna sticker would work. Of course I don't think it would be a big deal anyway, he was a great driver, the S2000 is a great car. Someone on this board has a Senna-themed S2000.

HUNTERANGEL121

Can't find the thread with that S.... But I found a picture lol

BlakeNFR

I believe this car was for sale recently in the San Francisco area. And keep in mind, Senna died in 1994, way before the S2000 was ever thought of. I'm sure his legacy in F1 racing may have pushed Honda to release a car with F1 heritage, but influence is different than his involvement on the NSX.

Syn

He died in 94 but the first complete/driveable concept was 95--it's almost certain Honda began design several years before that. Nobody can say with certainty whether he was involved or influenced any part of the car, but in a roundabout way I'd say that he did because the S2000 gets much of its 'essence' from the NSX.

TsukubaCody

Just because Senna had a great past with Honda powered McLarens, doesn't mean that he influenced the S2000.

1.) The final car came many years after his passing, all the driving feel stuff was likely sorted out well after his passing.

2.) He was involved with the NSX/EF Civic/etc., because he was currently driving a McLaren-Honda. At the end of his career, he was driving a Renault powered Williams.

OP, feel free to place the sticker on your car, but only if you're truly a fan of Senna himself.

rob-2

This is an interesting question as the original NSX was to be a roadster. The team opted for a v6 and rear placement and this forced a different direction.

I don't think senna was involved in the process of the NSX until they were committed to producing the cars.

To my knowledge he had no direct involvement in the s2000. He passed before work began on the car and I don't believe he was involved in the late 80s talks on the design of the NSX.

NickGDB

Pretty sure he didn't have any sort of input on our cars. But iirc, along with the NSX, he helped develop the 4th-gen Prelude and even appeared in TV ads for the car.

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1SF919WoG3o[/media]

Saki GT

I think Senna's input in the NSX tuning led to the S2000's tuning, as Uehara led development on both cars and I'm sure carried over lessons learned on the NSX to the S2000. That's about as direct as it gets though.

The S is really Uehara's car and legacy imo - it was the culmination of his career at Honda and what he wanted to build.

ian_ap1

Well I'm a huge Senna fan as well as a huge McLaren fan and I'll probably still put the sticker on to commemorate him. For me, a lot of things just pointed to Senna in some of the qualities of the S2000, but maybe that's just my pattern recognition going wild. I almost got a Spa Yellow AP1 instead of my Sebring, and I could've swore the Spa Yellow matched his helmet.

Side note: McLaren did use Honda power plants until the 1993 season, the SSM had to have been in development in the early 90's (1990-1992). This is just speculation of course. It also states on Uehara's Wikipedia entry "He is also known for his close friendship with the late Ayrton Senna."

But I mean, come on, you can't tell me they didn't take inspiration from these cars.