October 28^th, 1999                                            

Honda S2000 `Top Sports’ in new Best Cars awards

Honda’s potent S2000 has outclassed the cream of the world’s sports cars to win its class in the inaugural NRMA/RACV Best Cars award.

Only three months after going on sale in Australia, the stunning new drop-top has out-shone the BMW M5, Porsche Boxter, Porsche 911, BMW M3, Mercedes SLK, Audi TT 1.8 and BMW Z3 2.8 to win the award for the NRMA/RACV Best Sports Car above $56,000 today.

The judges said the Honda S2000 was a no-compromise sports car.

"The S2000 is a finely crafted and configured modern sports car with a serious approach to its mechanical specifications," the judges said.

The judges also singed out the S2000’s breakthrough handling for praise.

"Most enjoyable is the poise and precision over any twisting ribbon of road and the delicate communication with the driver," they said.

Accepting the award, Honda Australia’s senior director Neal Robertson said Honda had been confident the S2000 would be a success before it was launched, but had been overwhelmed by the positive response from customers and motoring critics.

Honda has sold more than 400 Honda S2000s in Australia, making the roadster the top-selling luxury car in the market in recent months.

"This award from Australia’s leading motoring organisations means a great deal to Honda, our dealers and our customers," said Mr Robertson.

"The S2000 is in every way a benchmark sports vehicle, offering our customers an attractive package that accommodates unparalleled performance and outstanding value-for-money."

The front-engine, rear-drive S2000 is powered by a jewel-like 2.0 Litre 176 kW VTEC four-cylinder engine that also achieves world-leading emission levels.