Why it matters

An engineer at Honda told Motoring he would very much like to see a new mid-engine S2000, and we couldn’t agree more. A Honda sports car priced around $40,000 is something the world desperately needs. It would also put Honda in the unique position of having three mid-engine sports cars spanning an enormous price range, from around $15,000 for the S660 to over $200,000 for the NSX.

The next CR-Z, meanwhile, is still being considered, but could be put on hold if resources are allocated to S2000 development. If it is a go, the next CR-Z would likely use the 1.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine from the proposed S1000, and some sort hybrid-electric power for a total of around 220 horsepower. It would also have a decidedly feistier bent than the rather bland current CR-Z.

“Truth be known, our engineers might be working on a more efficient electric four-wheel-drive system in the Pikes Peak CR-Z, but that will not directly lead to a road-going all-electric CR-Z,” a Honda insider told Motoring. “We still need to evaluate exactly where a new CR-Z would fit into our sports car hierarchy.”

About that Pikes Peak CR-Z: Honda is apparently building an experimental CR-Z that would compete at the 2015 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in June. It’s a modified version of the current CR-Z that will serve as a test bed for Honda’s future performance hybrid technology. Motoring says the car has been fitted with a new version of Honda’s SH AWD system with four electric motors instead of two, though it’s not clear if the system will also have internal combustion power.

We should know by June if the Pikes Peak CR-Z is reality, but it will probably be a few more years before we hear any confirmation of Honda’s other future sports car plans.

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Source: Motoring