Was the S2000 ever automatic?
The Honda S2000 was never offered with a factory automatic transmission; all production models left the line with a six-speed manual gearbox. Since its debut in 1999, Honda positioned the S2000 as a driver-focused roadster built around a precision manual experience.
To understand this question in full, it helps to revisit how the S2000 was conceived, what transmissions Honda offered from the factory, and how enthusiasts have approached the idea of an automatic in the years since. The car is renowned for its high-revving engine, balanced chassis, and the purity of a manual-driven experience, which is why a factory automatic option has not appeared in official Honda catalogs.
Origins and development
Launched in 1999 to celebrate Honda’s 50th anniversary, the S2000 arrived as a lightweight, rear-wheel-drive roadster with a front-mid engine and a purpose-built 6-speed manual gearbox. Its philosophy centered on driver involvement, high-revving character, and a bespoke chassis tuned for cornering feedback. The AP1 and later AP2 revisions kept the focus squarely on a manual transmission as a core element of the driving experience.
Factory transmissions: what Honda offered
From its introduction through its final year, the S2000 was only available with a manual gearbox. There was no official automatic option offered by Honda for the production car, and both generations (AP1 and AP2) shipped with a 6-speed manual transmission as standard—and only.
Was there an automatic option?
No. Honda did not offer an automatic transmission for the S2000 at any point during its production run. The car’s development and marketing centered on the manual driving experience, with the six-speed gearbox forming a core aspect of its performance credentials.
That said, the S2000 has occasionally appeared in aftermarket discussions about automatic or automated-manual setups. Such projects are rare, not factory-backed, and involve substantial modifications to the drivetrain and electronics. They are pursued by enthusiasts rather than by Honda, and they are not representative of official specifications or values of the S2000 line.
Aftermarket and rare variants
Enthusiasts have occasionally explored non-factory options for an automatic-like experience, including aftermarket conversions or automated manual transmission solutions. These efforts are uncommon and typically undertaken by specialist shops or individual owners rather than as mass-market options. They can affect reliability, warranty, and resale value, and they remain outside the scope of Honda’s official lineup.
- Factory option status: automatic transmission never offered by Honda for S2000 production models.
- Aftermarket conversions: exist in limited numbers, not endorsed by Honda, and are not representative of the factory car.
- Market scope: applicable to individual vehicles through third-party shops rather than as a consumer-ready official option.
- Driving experience: the S2000 is celebrated for its manual-driven, high-revving character, which is a key part of its appeal.
In practice, the absence of a factory automatic option underscores the car's identity as a driver-oriented roadster. Aftermarket attempts, while fascinating to some, do not change the fact that every original S2000 sold by Honda came with a six-speed manual only.
Summary
The short answer is that the S2000 was never offered with a factory automatic transmission. Honda designed the roadster around a precise, engaging manual experience that remained constant across both AP1 and AP2 generations. While aftermarket enthusiasts have toyed with non-factory automatic or automated-manual solutions, these are rare, non-representative of the production car, and do not reflect official Honda specifications. The S2000 endures in automotive lore as a benchmark for manual driving joy.
Bottom line
For buyers and fans today, the S2000 remains a manual-only classic, celebrated for its responsiveness, rev-happy engine, and pure driving dynamics that few automatics can match. The car’s legacy lives on in enthusiast communities, preserved examples, and an ongoing appreciation for the manual transmission as a defining trait.
How to tell if S2000 is AP1 or AP2?
And 17-in standard on my AP2. Now if you look the bumpers are different the emblems are different the lights are different there's a lot of differences in these cars that even I didn't realize.
Is there a Honda S2000 automatic?
No, the Honda S2000 was never offered with an automatic transmission; it was exclusively equipped with a six-speed manual transmission. This manual-only setup was a core part of the car's pure, driver-focused performance identity, which included its rear-wheel-drive layout and high-revving engine.
- Manual only: All Honda S2000 models were built with a close-ratio, six-speed manual transmission.
- Performance focus: The manual transmission was a deliberate choice to maintain the car's performance-oriented design and driving experience.
- Rear-wheel drive: The S2000 was also exclusively rear-wheel drive.
Is the Honda S2000 manual?
Yes, the Honda S2000 is only available with a six-speed manual, or "stick shift," transmission. Honda designed the S2000 around a manual gearbox, and no automatic version was ever produced.
You can watch this video to learn how to drive a manual car like the Honda S2000: 59sGJACarsYouTube · Aug 9, 2024
- No automatic option: There is no automatic transmission option for the Honda S2000, making the manual the only choice for all model years.
- Manual transmission details: It came equipped with a close-ratio, short-throw, six-speed manual transmission.
- Driver focus: The decision to exclusively use a manual transmission was intentional, designed to create a more direct and engaging driving experience for the driver.
This video highlights the shifter experience in the Honda S2000: 24sAutolyticYouTube · Jan 23, 2025
Why are S2000 so rare?
It's probably a combination of factors. Large upfront investment, low potential sales volume, decreasing interest in roadsters, potential production capacity issues, etc.
