The S2000 was introduced in 1999 for the 2000 model year and was given the chassis designation of "AP1". It features a front mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout with power delivered by a inline four-cylinder DOHC-VTEC engine. The engine (codenamed F20C) generates power outputs of , and of torque depending on the target market. The engine is mated to a six-speed manual transmission and Torsen limited slip differential. The S2000 achieved what Honda claimed as the highest specific output of a normally aspirated production automobile engine in the world. The most powerful version; the JDM F20C was rated at or per litre as a result of a higher 11.7:1 compression ratio.