2000 + 200 = 240; S2000 gets a bigger engine and more usable power.(News)(Product/Service Evaluation)

Byline: MARK VAUGHN

There are significant improvements to the 2004 Honda S2000, but you have to push a little to find them. Indeed, after several laps of the Spring Mountain Motorsports Park road course out in the desert near Las Vegas, we were searching our senses to notice.

Yes, there was more torque from the 200 new cubic centimeters of displacement added when the 2.0-liter normally aspirated four-cylinder engine was stroked. Yes, the car's rear felt better planted with its revised suspension tuning and 17-inch wheels and meatier Bridgestone RE 050 tires-215/45 front, 245/40 rears. And yes, the new transmission ratios and better shifter feel were evident, too. There was even more room in the cockpit than before-a half-inch more hip and shoulder room. But was that all?

"Ask Mr. Uehara, the chief engineer, to take you out for a couple laps,'' said a Honda guy.

Uehara? That was a familiar name. Where had we heard it? We asked Uehara-san if he was available for a tour of the track. He bowed humbly showing much reserve. We asked several times, not sure if he understood what we wanted. The translator said he had agreed, and the engineers who seemed to be hovering around him like novices said he had agreed. But it was a few, somewhat awkward minutes before we actually got in the car. Why had the Honda guy suggested this?

Then, oh man: Uehara nailed the throttle and wailed up through the gears, smacking redline in each one like he designed the whole thing.

"More torque,'' was all he said.