This is a restomod Honda S2000 with a 302bhp Civic Type R engine

"Honda’s Type R series of sports cars gained legendary status almost immediately after each was introduced: the Integra, Civic, NSX, and even Accord have a Type R variant," reads a recent press release from California-based firm Evasive Motorsports.

"Yet there’s one model that was never released as a Type R; the S2000. Until now!"

Welcome to the best story you'll likely read today. The car above is chassis #000 of the new, limited-edition restomod S2000R built by Evasive; the tuning's company's very own S2000 Type R.

It’s a little bit more than just a fettled S2000 too, because under the bonnet is a 302bhp version of the FK8 Civic Type R’s 2.0-litre turbo four-pot. Considering the original S2000 made do with 237bhp, that’s quite the increase.

There’s also a carbon fibre Mugen air intake, Evasive’s own intake manifold and a titanium exhaust system from Origin Fab. A MoTeC ECU brings everything together, while the S2000’s standard six-speed manual gearbox remains. You do get a limited slip diff and Koyo Racing radiator though. 

"Evasive wanted the S2000R to be fun," reads the release. So, to that end there’s also KW Clubsport coilovers, Eibach anti-roll bars, uprated suspension bushings and a new chassis brace. The wheels are forged 18-inch items and the brakes underneath are by Brembo.

There’s a slightly new look for the S2000R too, with a proper Type R-spec Championship White paintjob covering a 20th Anniversary Edition front bumper, a custom front lip, wider front arches, a carbon fibre bonnet and boot lid, Spoon aero mirrors and that monstrous carbon rear wing. Inside there’s carbon Recaro seats, carbon door cards and an Alcantara wrapped dash, although prospective owners will be able to pick and choose their ideal bits both inside, outside and underneath the S2000R.

“The S2000 is one of the best driver’s cars ever produced,” said Mike Chang, Co-President of Evasive Motorsports. “With 20 years of experience tuning the platform for road and race, we had a vision to modernise the roadster and create our ideal version of what an S2000 Type R could be.”

But wait, because that’s not all of the S2000 news coming out of Evasive today. In fact, the firm has also announced that it intends to build an S2000RS for Pikes Peak. Yep, we’re told that Dai Yoshihara will pilot a 650bhp Time Attack iteration of the high-revving roadster in the Open Class of 2023’s event. Should be rather special.

The race car uses the S2000’s original F20 engine, but it’s bored out to 2.4-litres and turbocharged to create that massive power figure. That’s then paired with a sequential gearbox, Yokohama racing slicks and more fancy KW dampers. Get a look at the plans in the image below…