the s2k blog

A precurser to the s2000, the Honda Argento Vivo has an unusual back story. The Argento Vivo started out as a 1995 concept car designed by Pininfarina for Honda.

The original drivetrain consisited of an inline, 5-cylinder, 2.5L, rear-wheel drive setup. The Argento Vivo featured aluminium construction and two-tone finish with the aluminum left polished and exposed on the upper panels. The dark blue sections of the Argento Vivo were formed from fiberglass. When the Argento Vivo was unveiled as a concept car in 1995, it was praised for its smooth and innovative styling, and won several industry awards.

The Argento Vivo also caught the attention of the Sultan of Brunei, an avid car collector who managed to persuade Pininfarina to create a fleet of five Argento Vivo’s for his wealthy family. However in place of the original Honda drive train was a Mercedes setup, including suspension, brakes, transmission and an AMG 7.3 liter V12.

Aside from the concept models and the mercedes powered versions ordered for the Sultan, the Argento Vivo never saw production. Ahead of its time, it did serve to influence the development of the already-concepted s2000 which would see production 4 years later.

It looks like the Honda s2000 will stay in the 2009 Honda lineup, but the future of the car remains uncertain. Ending it’s 8th year in production, it seems imminent that the body style of the s2000 will either change, or the name will be retired. There’s been lots of rumors, concepts and Honda has promised to show a concept roadster at the upcoming London Auto Show, that *might* be the replacement for the beloved s2000. Here is a small collection of concepts and prototypes: