Model Year 2006

The 39th Tokyo Motor Show, held from October 22 to November 6, 2005, at Makuhari Messe in Chiba, Japan, had dozens of cars and motorcycles on display, but it is the new S2000, equipped with even more advanced features than ever before, that shared the Motor Sports Zone stage with a rare close-up look at Honda’s F1 and IndyCar Series racers.

• MSRP increased to $34,050 and shipping to $550 for a total of $34,600.
• Drive-By-Wire Throttle System. Use a computer sensor to input throttle as opposed to pulling on the throttle cable
• Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) with traction control. A combination of computer controlled throttle and individual wheel braking to control sudden changes in vehicle behavior. VSA has a turn-off switch where the defrost button (moved) used to be.
• 20 lbs heavier
• Redesigned road wheels
• Redesigned steering wheel
• New color, Laguna Blue
• Daytime running lights (DRL)
• Brake Assist, which helps drivers apply full braking pressure in an accident avoidance situation via the ABS actuator. Braking pressure is maintained momentarily after the driver's initial braking action to help the driver stop promptly. It deactivates when the driver releases pressure on the brake pedal
• Basic warranty is 3 year/36,000 but the power train was extended to 5 years/60,000 mile
• Exterior temperature gauge
• New seats; they no longer have seat back pocket and headrest speaker system is gone
• 4 of the 8 speaker audio system are integrated roll bar speakers
• Sebring silver and white only come with a black interior
• CARB emissions rating is now LEV-2
• Passenger-side airbag cutoff
• IAC Valve has been eliminated, along with the cruise control hardware; it is all controlled by the ECU for the DBW system. A gas pedal cable runs into the engine compartment to an actuator. From there it's electronic.
• New intake manifold, intake support bracket, and injector cover
• Only one cam sensor
• New style map sensor
• IAT sensor has moved to the rubber intake tract
• Differential now has a breather box mounted behind it
• Fuel line at engine is now a quick-release type
• Air pump, associated lines and control valve, have been eliminated
• Weight/and or/position sensors mounted in the seats
• Fan switch in the radiator has been replaced with a second CTS, in turn the fans are now computer controlled
• HO2S in the header is now referred to as an Air fuel ratio sensor
• If you leave the gas cap loose, you'll get a "CHECK GAS CAP" warning, displayed in the outside temp display
• NOT SURE ON THIS: In Europe they are advertising a new three-part speedster cover. The cover fits over the folded hood and features a pair of raised domes that sweep back from the two headrests/rollover bars to provide a distinctive look reminiscent of many classic sports cars.
• HP is now stated at 237 - due to the auto industry wide change in how HP is calculated**

** New Horsepower Ratings to Level the Field in Performance
The Society of Automotive Engineers has standardized a horsepower measuring system, requiring several automakers to take a critical look at their more subjective output assertions. Toyota and Honda, in particular, have had to downgrade the horsepower ratings of some of their vehicles from the 2005 to 2006 model years as a result of this new system. Even though it features the same 3.0-liter V6 engine, the Toyota Camry has seen its output rating reduced in one model year from 210 to 190 horsepower. As the Detroit News notes, though, the new SAE horsepower standards have worked in favor of some companies — such as GM, which was able to boost the horsepower rating of the Northstar V8 in the Cadillac STS-V from 440 to 469 horsepower. All automakers are expected to eventually comply with these ratings, and American manufacturers, such as Ford and DaimlerChrysler, already have plans to incorporate the SAE standards into tests of vehicles scheduled to receive new powertrains. What this means to you: More accurate horsepower ratings mean more accurate comparisons between cars from all part of the world. The new rating is done with the accessories at load. Honda probably knew this in MY2004 and just under-rated the 2004 so it would not go down by much in 2006. That said, the S2000 loses less under the new rating compared to some other Hondas as it has a smaller AC compressor, has EPS, and a smaller alternator than most other Hondas to draw on the engine under load.