There was a time when Honda S2000s were darlings of the tuner scene. Here we are, 25 years after the first one launched, and Bulletproof Automotive still manages to find an interesting take on this classic sports car. Widebody kits? Big wings? Carbon fiber? It’s all been done in the Honda world, but tapping that nostalgia is actually part of this build.
Bulletproof Automotive BP25 Honda S2000 SEMA buildBulletproof Automotive
As for what’s new, how about a supercharged engine spinning to 9,300 RPM? Or futuristic wheels inspired by Japanese knives? Yes, Japanese knives. Say hello to the BP25 S2000, built to showcase Bulletproof Automotive’s 25 years of experience in JDM life in Southern California.
A Mix Of Old And New
Bulletproof Automotive BP25 Honda S2000 SEMA buildBulletproof Automotive
Widebody kits and S2000s go together like movie night and popcorn, and this is no exception. This S2000 wears a brand-new Varis Dark Panther kit, making its North American debut at SEMA. Behind the kit is a completely reskinned car, accented with carbon-fiber aero components like the big wing. The side mirorrs are also carbon, and the hardtop comes from Spoon – arguably the best-known company when it comes to modded Hondas.
Bulletproof Automotive BP25 Honda S2000 SEMA buildBulletproof Automotive
If this car seems oddly familiar to you, it’s probably because of the paint job. Bulletproof built a Scion FR-S called the Concept One a few years back that garnered all kinds of attention; the white finish with gold accents is a nod to that car. The black carbon down low with red pinstriping is nearly identical to the Scion. The S2000’s wheels, however, are something completely new.
BP-RW Evolution, inspired by Tsuchime
Bulletproof Automotive BP25 Honda S2000 SEMA buildBulletproof Automotive
The 19-in wheels feature a fairly standard-looking star design with side-cut spokes, 10 all total. But they feature an aero disc around the outside that draws inspiration from Tsuchime, a traditional Japanese metalworking technique where the metal is hammered by hand into shape, oftentimes used on cutlery.
The process creates dimples in the metal, which are replicated on these wheels to stunning effect. You’ll pay handsomely for them, however. A quick check on Bulletproof’s website shows a price of $7,895 for a set, and all are special order.
Now About That Engine
Bulletproof Automotive BP25 Honda S2000 SEMA buildBulletproof Automotive
One cannot build a Honda S2000 that doesn’t feature a high-revving four-cylinder. In this case, the original engine is replaced by a 2.0-liter Redline crate engine from Bulletproof’s own stock. It spins to 10,000 rpm and makes 580 horsepower in the process, peaking at 9,300 revs. Mind you, that’s horsepower at the wheels, so the engine is churning out considerably more at the crankshaft.
That kind of power requires forced induction, which comes from a Vortech supercharger. From there we get a plethora of aftermarket parts from a who’s who of suppliers – Amuse exhaust, AEM fuel components and tuning, a Tial wastegate, and more. It sends all that power through a Honda six-speed manual from an AP2 S2000.
Bulletproof Automotive BP25 Honda S2000 SEMA buildBulletproof Automotive
While we’re talking about familiar companies, you’ll probably recognize Mugen. They supply the interior roll bar and steering wheel. The seats are Recaro Japan, and Bulletproof did the custom black Alcantara interior dress-up. A complete suspension upgrade with coilovers, Brembo brakes, and Toyo tires completes the build.
“The S2000 is timeless, and for our 25th anniversary, we had to go back to the source. The BP25 is the result: a celebration of our love for JDM performance. We took that core high-revving, analogue purity and amplified it with 580 supercharged horsepower and the finest modern tech. This is its final form, delivering an ultimate, visceral high-thrill package that reminds everyone why they fell in love with driving and distills the appeal of Japanese sports cars into one intense package.”- Ben Schaffer, Bulletproof Automotive founder
The car is obviously a one-off to celebrate Bulletproof’s anniversary, but the parts exist to build your own – if you have the cash. Or, you can check out the car at the Toyo Tires Treadpass at SEMA, running November 4-7 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
AloJapan.com