OVERVIEW
As with the S2000's exterior, the central design theme of the
roadster's interior is performance. Honda engineers designed the
interior to contribute to what they call an "interfusion" between the
driver and the car.
The conceptual model for the S2000 interior is a modern Formula 1 car's cockpit. Outward visibility, simplicity of controls, control feel, comfort -- both machines have these needs in common.
Before production, the interior design was extensively tested, including wind-tunnel testing and over 20,000 miles of real-world driving in what Honda calls the maturing phase of the design. It is during this phase of development that details such as control placement, seating and driver visibility are finalized.
INTERIOR FEATURES
- Driver-oriented control layout
- Excellent outward visibility
- Dual airbags (SRS) (optional dealer-installed driver/passenger airbag on/off switch) (available with government approval)
- Air conditioning
- Micron air-filtration system
- AM/FM stereo CD player
- Power windows
- Power door locks
- Power mirrors
- Cruise control
- Digital instrument panel
- Leather-trimmed seats
- Center console storage compartments w/lock
- Beverage holder
- 12-volt power outlet
- 3-point seat belts with pretensioner and load limiter
- Remote-operated audio controls
- Immobilizer Theft-Deterrent System
- Engine start button
- Keyless entry system
DRIVER-ORIENTED INTERIOR
The S2000's driver-oriented interior is stylistically restrained and
functional. The contoured seats are upholstered in leather, and have
a perforated texture that helps the material breathe. Legroom is
ample and the seatback's side bolsters extend all the way up to the
shoulder for good lateral support when cornering. The head restraints
are fixed and feature an open design that contributes to the overall
open feel of the cockpit.
Seat adjustment is manual and includes adjustments for fore and aft position and seatback angle. A padded and carpeted central console separates the seats.
The sculpted door inserts are upholstered in leather and include an armrest, grab handle, door latch, power window and door-lock controls. The driver's side door includes power-mirror controls.
The instrument panel curves around each side of the central instrument pod. Smaller pod wings house controls for heating, ventilation, air conditioning, audio, cruise control, the engine start button and the air outlets.
The foot pedals feature a textured-metal finish reminiscent of the pedals found in race cars, and are positioned for optimal heel-and-toe operation.
The padded 3-spoke steering wheel features the cruise control switches. The AM/FM stereo and CD player sit beneath the center of the instrument panel, at the forward end of the center console. A flip-down cover hides the radio controls from view, and from the elements.
The 6-speed shifter, emergency flasher switch, hand brake lever and power-operated soft-top switch are housed in the central console, along with a beverage holder and a pocket for small items, such as change. A compartment located on the rear bulkhead, between the driver's and passenger's shoulders, features a hinged, locking cover and functions as a glove compartment. Two lockable storage units are located behind the driver's and passenger's seats.
IMMOBILIZER THEFT-DETERRENT SYSTEM
An Immobilizer Theft-Deterrent System is standard on the S2000. The
ignition key has a built-in transponder, which, when removed,
immobilizes the engine fuel injection and ignition so the engine
cannot be started. When the key is inserted, a radio signal from the
ECU (Electronic Control Unit) is sent to the transponder. If the code
in the key and the code in the ECU agree, then the ECU allows the
engine to be started.
The key needs no batteries, as it receives what little energy it needs via the ignition/steering-lock unit that functions as a transmitter/receiver antenna. An indicator lamp on the instrument panel lets the driver know that the immobilizer system has accepted the key.
RACE-CAR-TYPE DIGITAL DISPLAY
The S2000 features a digital instrument panel reminiscent of the
displays used in modern racing cars. The display features a large,
semicircular bar-type tachometer divided into 85 100-rpm increments.
The tachometer flashes red when the engine redline is reached. A
highly visible digital speedometer readout is below the tachometer
display, as well as readouts for coolant temperature, fuel level,
trip and cumulative mileage odometers and warning lights for SRS, oil
pressure, the Immobilizer Theft-Deterrent System and ABS.
ELECTRONICALLY CONTROLLED HEATING AND AIR-CONDITIONING SYSTEM
The various functions of the heating and air-conditioning system are
electronically controlled and actuated by the heater and airflow
controls. The heater outlets at knee level and the center outlet in
the instrument panel help extend comfort when the top is down in cool
weather.
The air-conditioning-system evaporator is a new design that takes up less space, is more efficient at transferring heat and has greater corrosion resistance.
MICRON AIR-FILTRATION SYSTEM
The S2000 air-conditioning system features a replaceable micron air
filter capable of filtering particulate matter from 8.0 microns (the
size of most pollen) down to as small as 0.3 microns (diesel
emissions).
S2000 COCKPIT SAFETY SYSTEMS
The driver's and passenger's SRS (Supplemental Restraint System) both
use a new compact airbag that fits the S2000's small steering wheel
and instrument panel. An optional dealer-installed airbag on/off
switch will be available, with government approval.
The lower anchor points for the S2000's 3-point, auto-locking seat belts are at the side sill and seat. The upper anchor bolts to a bracket mounted directly on the S2000's rollbars.
The S2000 body and the highly rigid high X-bone frame's central tunnel, straight front and rear side members, side sills and floor frame are designed to form a strong three-point support structure that distributes loads evenly. The resulting body structure boasts the rigidity and passenger protection of a closed-top vehicle in full-frontal and rear impacts. Head-injury protection is built into the interior, and side-impact protection is built into the doors, door pads, side sills and floor of the cockpit.
Even though open-topped cars are exempted, the S2000 meets the federal standard for occupant protection in a rollover accident. The driver's and passenger's roll bars are made of 1.5-inch diameter high-strength steel pipe with a .080-inch wall thickness, and tie directly into the frame. Additional protection is provided by reinforced door pillars, windshield posts and the windshield frame.
In addition, the S2000 incorporates pedestrian injury-reducing technology in the form of collapsible hood hinges and windshield-wiper pivots, designed to help minimize the chances of head injury to a pedestrian in a collision.