What is the highest rpm on the S2000?
The highest engine speed the S2000 is designed to reach is 9,000 rpm—the redline that applies to both the F20C 2.0-liter and the F22C1 2.2-liter engines.
This article explains what that redline means, how the two generations compare, and what drivers should know about rev limits, maintenance, and driving characteristics of this iconic sports roadster.
9,000 rpm: the factory redline across generations
The S2000 is famed for its high-revving nature. Both the AP1 (1999–2003) with the F20C engine and the AP2 (2004–2009) with the F22C1 engine are tuned to a 9,000 rpm redline. The engine design, including lightweight moving parts and Honda’s VTEC system, allows operation up to that limit under proper conditions. The tachometer in most S2000s is calibrated to 9,000 rpm, and the rev limiter prevents the engine from exceeding that point in typical use.
Engine variants and rev limits
Here is a concise comparison of the two generations and their rpm characteristics.
- F20C (AP1): 2.0-liter inline-four powering 1999–2003 models; redline at 9,000 rpm.
- F22C1 (AP2): 2.2-liter inline-four powering 2004–2009 models; redline at 9,000 rpm.
AP1 vs AP2 at a glance
Both generations share a 9,000 rpm redline. AP1 uses the F20C 2.0L engine, while AP2 uses the F22C1 2.2L engine. The AP2 offers a different torque and displacement profile, but the factory redline remains 9,000 rpm to preserve the car’s high-revving character.
In short, 9,000 rpm is the factory redline for the S2000 across its generations.
How the S2000 sustains 9,000 rpm
The 9,000 rpm redline is supported by Honda’s engineering choices: a robust valvetrain with VTEC on the intake cam, a lightweight reciprocating assembly, a high compression ratio, and carefully tuned intake and exhaust flow to maximize high-speed performance. The engine control unit enforces the rev limit to protect components at high speed. Regular maintenance—quality synthetic oil changes, proper oil level, and attention to valve clearance—is essential for sustained high-rev operation.
Practical considerations for drivers
Operating near the 9,000 rpm mark demands smooth clutch work, precise shifting, and careful attention to engine health. Enthusiasts often rev-match and stay in the VTEC band to extract peak power, while daily driving typically sits well below the redline to maximize longevity. Keeping up with recommended maintenance is crucial for reliability in high-rev conditions.
Summary
The Honda S2000’s highest rpm is 9,000, a factory redline shared by both its F20C 2.0-liter (AP1) and F22C1 2.2-liter (AP2) engines. This limit underpins the car’s reputation as a high-revving, engaging roadster and informs how owners maintain and operate the vehicle for peak performance.
What is the highest revving Honda?
The highest-revving Honda is the 1991 CBR250RR motorcycle, with a redline of 19,000 RPM. For production cars, the highest-revving model is the 1960s Honda S600, which could reach 9,500 RPM.
You can watch this video to learn more about the Honda CBR250RR: 28sFemmeleticsYouTube · Apr 24, 2024
Motorcycles
- Honda CBR250RR (1991): This motorcycle is the highest-revving production Honda, with a redline of 19,000 RPM. Its 250cc engine was capable of reaching extremely high revolutions, a feat of engineering from that era.
Cars
- Honda S600 (1964-1966): This classic sports car holds the record for the highest-revving production Honda engine, with a redline of 9,500 RPM.
- Honda S2000 (1999–2003): A more modern example, the early S2000 models are famous for their high-revving VTEC engines, with a redline of 9,000 RPM.
This video discusses the Honda S600: 1mbartYouTube · Aug 5, 2023
What is the redline on a Honda S2000?
The Honda S2000's redline varies by model year, with the early AP1 models (1999–2003) revving to 9,000 RPM and the later AP2 models (2004–2009) having a slightly lower redline of 8,000 RPM. The reduction in redline for the AP2 was due to an increase in engine displacement from 2.0L to 2.2L, which required a longer piston stroke.
You can watch this video to see the Honda S2000 hitting its redline: 52sHighBeamsYouTube · Jun 18, 2022
- AP1 (1999–2003): The initial models featured a 2.0L engine with a 9,000 RPM redline.
- AP2 (2004–2009): The engine was updated to a 2.2L, resulting in a redline of 8,000 RPM.
- S2000 CR: The track-focused CR model, sold in 2008 and 2009, also has an 8,000 RPM redline.
What rpm does VTEC kick in S2000?
5700-6200 rpm
When does VTEC engage? VTEC requires oil pressure and ECU logic to engage and seems to engage anywhere from 5700-6200 rpm on all S2000.
How high can a Honda S2000 rev?
9,000rpm
Honda S2000 – 9,000rpm
Later iterations would lower the rev limit substantially, but still, the early S2000 honoured its S800 predecessor magnificently.
