HONDA S2000 SPORTS

THERE ARE numerous contenders for the title of 'World's Best Four Cylinder Engine' and Honda's F20C, twin overhead cam powerhouse must be right near the top of the list.

The car it powers, Honda's S2000 Sports, was developed from a motor-show design exercise that was displayed in 1995 and won Show Car of the Year. Meanwhile, the 2.0-litre F20C with V-Tec timing was being developed in time for the S2000's launch in 1999 to commemorate Honda's 50th Anniversary as a motor manufacturer.

Australia saw its first S2000s late in 1999 and during the model's first full year in our market more than 500 were sold.

At almost $70,000 and with the hardtop an extra cost option, the S2000 was $20,000 dearer than a VTi-R Prelude but $5000 cheaper than the 2.0-litre BMW Z3 with its miserable 110kW engine.