---
title: "Honda Interior Patents Spotted for ‘Baby NSX’"
description: "Could this be our first look at a new S2000?"
date: "2017-07-19"
modified: "2017-07-19"
authors:
  - name: "Chris Tsui"
    job_title: "Contributor"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/chris-tsui"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/article/12653/honda-interior-patents-spotted-for-baby-nsx"
categories:
  - "News"
tags:
  - "honda"
  - "sports cars"
---

# Honda Interior Patents Spotted for ‘Baby NSX’

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2017/07/em700000001459358-0001-005-e1500489720941.jpg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com</em>*

Honda currently makes an [NSX](<https://www.thedrive.com/new-cars/2535/does-the-2017-acura-nsx-have-a-soul>) and a [Civic Type R,](<https://www.thedrive.com/new-cars/11568/the-2017-honda-civic-type-r-breaks-the-front-wheel-drive-curse>) but what if you'd like a new, fast Honda with a little less, y'know, roof. In years past, you would've flocked to the [S2000,](<https://www.thedrive.com/article/8367/why-now-is-the-time-to-buy-a-honda-s2000>) but that car has sadly been discontinued... for now.

A recent patent filing by the Japanese automaker shows the interior for what appears to be a small, NSX-lite roadster—[a "baby NSX."](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/4824/honda-files-trademark-for-zsx-baby-nsx-rumor-mill-kicks-into-overdrive>) Published on July 17 by the European Union Intellectual Property Office, it features a futuristic looking dash, Acura's now standard-issue, button-based gear selector module between the seats, and a steering wheel that looks like it was lifted from one of the firm's Formula One cars. [(Let's just hope that was the only thing lifted from their F1 program, heyo!)](<https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/12346/is-honda-preparing-to-withdraw-from-formula-one>)

While we suspect the model seen in the patents depict a concept car [of some sort](<https://www.carscoops.com/2013/12/honda-barchetta-style-vision-concept.html>), the aesthetic gulf between concept cars and their showroom-ready production versions has narrowed significantly in recent years (see the Lexus LC). Is this our first look at the [long-rumored](<https://www.thedrive.com/new-cars/7247/more-information-leaked-about-the-honda-s2000-replacement>) S2000 revival?

[As previous reports have pointed out,](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/3596/honda-is-planning-a-new-s2000-for-2018-new-rumor-claims>) 2018 marks the 20th anniversary of the original S2K's introduction (Feel old yet?) and the 70th anniversary of Honda Motor Company as a whole. Considering the original S2000 was made in part as Honda's 50th birthday present to itself, now would be the perfect time for a sequel, don't you think? Can't let [Mazda](<https://www.thedrive.com/new-cars/1131/the-mazda-mx-5-miata-is-my-car-of-the-year>) and the 86/[BRZ](<https://www.thedrive.com/new-cars/11479/2017-subaru-brz-review-the-perfect-first-sports-car>) twins have all the fun.

![message-editor%2F1500489977705-em700000001459358-0001-004.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1500489977705-em700000001459358-0001-004.jpg>)
*European Union Intellectual Property Office*

![message-editor%2F1500489984010-em700000001459358-0001-006.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1500489984010-em700000001459358-0001-006.jpg>)
*European Union Intellectual Property Office*

![message-editor%2F1500489999544-em700000001459358-0001-001.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1500489999544-em700000001459358-0001-001.jpg>)
*European Union Intellectual Property Office*

![message-editor%2F1500490010634-em700000001459358-0001-002.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1500490010634-em700000001459358-0001-002.jpg>)
*European Union Intellectual Property Office*

![message-editor%2F1500490016812-em700000001459358-0001-003.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1500490016812-em700000001459358-0001-003.jpg>)
*European Union Intellectual Property Office*

## Author
Chris Tsui is *The Drive*'s former Reviews Editor and current freelance automotive journalist. He's based in Toronto.

### Author social links  
[Instagram](<https://www.instagram.com/cltsuii/>)