Honda S2000 BP25 – The 10,000 RPM Supercharged Masterpiece by Bulletproof Automotive
Fifteen years after the final Honda S2000 rolled off the production line, one of Japan’s most iconic roadsters has been reborn in spectacular fashion. Bulletproof Automotive, a Los Angeles-based tuner with a deep reverence for Japanese performance cars, has created something extraordinary to celebrate its 25th anniversary: the Honda S2000 BP25. This build isn’t just a restoration or a modification—it’s a complete reimagining of what the S2000 could be if it were designed today, yet with every ounce of its analog soul intact. The BP25 takes Honda’s original formula of high-revving precision, lightweight balance, and driver-focused purity and elevates it to supercar levels of power and performance. The result is a machine that can scream to a ludicrous 10,000 rpm and deliver over 580 horsepower from a supercharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. It’s a testament to what can happen when obsessive engineering, artistic craftsmanship, and unrelenting passion collide under one name—Bulletproof Automotive.
Engineering Brilliance: A Heart That Screams Past 9,000 RPM
At the core of the BP25 lies a new Honda 2.0-liter four-cylinder crate engine that has been completely reworked and paired with a Vortech V2-Si supercharger. This setup transforms the once modest powerplant into a fire-breathing powerhouse capable of delivering 580 horsepower at 9,300 rpm and revving all the way to 10,000 rpm. The engineers at Bulletproof Automotive didn’t simply bolt on forced induction—they meticulously rebalanced, reprogrammed, and refined every component to maintain the legendary responsiveness and reliability that defined the S2000’s original F20C engine. Complementing the supercharger is an Amuse titanium exhaust system that runs from the manifold to the tailpipes, ensuring optimal flow and a spine-tingling soundtrack. The fuel system has also been upgraded with Injector Dynamics injectors, while a Science of Speed racing heat exchanger keeps intake temperatures in check. Together, these elements produce a mechanical symphony of power, precision, and sound unlike anything the original S2000 ever dreamed of.
A Transmission That Honors the Purist Spirit
Bulletproof Automotive understands that the Honda S2000’s essence lies in its manual gearbox—arguably one of the finest ever made. Therefore, the BP25 retains Honda’s six-speed manual transmission from the AP2 generation but enhances it with a short shifter for quicker throws and an ACT lightweight flywheel to improve throttle response. Power is channeled to the rear wheels via a limited-slip differential sourced from ASM and Drexler, ensuring maximum traction without sacrificing the car’s playful rear-wheel-drive dynamics. Every shift, every clutch engagement, and every downshift blip has been calibrated to deliver tactile feedback that’s deeply mechanical and immensely satisfying. This isn’t a car for those who want automation or ease; it’s built for those who crave involvement—where every action, every input, and every mistake is felt and learned from. It’s driving in its purest, most visceral form, enhanced by the modern tuning expertise that Bulletproof Automotive has spent decades perfecting.
Precision Under Pressure: Suspension and Handling Evolution
The S2000 was already revered for its sublime handling balance, but Bulletproof Automotive’s BP25 takes this balance and sharpens it to an entirely new level. The car sits on a Top Secret Super Dampers Coilover kit—an adjustable suspension setup that allows for fine-tuning of ride height, rebound, and compression. This is complemented by an array of components from J’s Racing, Spoon Sports, and EVS, creating a suspension geometry that feels laser-focused on performance without compromising street usability. The chassis rigidity has been further improved through additional braces and control arm upgrades, which eliminate flex and improve turn-in precision. On winding canyon roads or a racetrack, the BP25 responds with the immediacy and confidence of a true driver’s car. Each corner can be attacked with surgical precision, the steering feel is organic, and the feedback through the wheel makes you feel hardwired into the machine. It’s not just tuned—it’s transformed into an extension of the driver’s body and intent.
Aesthetic Evolution: The Varis Dark Panther Body Kit
Visually, the BP25 is a stunning reinterpretation of the S2000’s classic form. Bulletproof Automotive partnered with Varis, one of Japan’s most respected aerodynamic specialists, to craft the Dark Panther widebody kit. Constructed primarily from carbon fiber, this body kit is as functional as it is aggressive. The widened fenders accommodate the car’s broader stance, while the vented hood aids engine cooling. The lightweight trunk and rear wing work together to generate downforce at high speeds, giving the BP25 both visual authority and aerodynamic balance. Every panel has been shaped with purpose, channeling air efficiently over and under the chassis. Bulletproof finished the car in “Lamborghini Balloon White,” the same paint used on its first concept car—the Concept One—symbolizing the company’s heritage and artistic consistency. The result is a blend of classic Honda purity with exotic supercar presence. Whether it’s displayed at SEMA or parked next to the world’s finest exotics, the BP25 looks like it belongs in the upper echelon of performance art.
Wheels, Brakes, and the Beauty of Detail
A build of this magnitude demands attention to the smallest details, and nowhere is that more evident than in its wheels and braking system. Bulletproof Automotive designed the 19-inch BP-RW Evolution wheels to embody the Japanese art of Tsuchime—a hammered metal technique traditionally seen in handcrafted kitchen knives. The texture subtly reflects light, giving each spoke a sense of handcrafted authenticity and movement. Wrapped around these wheels are 295/30ZR19 Toyo Proxes R888R tires, chosen for their exceptional grip and performance consistency under high loads. Behind them lie Brembo Pista brakes—six-piston calipers at the front and four-piston units at the rear—that deliver immense stopping power and fade resistance. This braking setup ensures the BP25 can decelerate as ferociously as it accelerates. The entire system, from wheel to rotor, reflects a commitment to both performance and artistry—qualities that have defined Bulletproof Automotive’s work for a quarter of a century.
The Interior: A Fusion of Motorsport and Luxury
Inside the BP25, the transformation continues with a cabin that blends motorsport functionality and luxurious craftsmanship. The stock seats have been replaced with RS-G Limited Edition Super Start racing buckets, each equipped with Willans FIA-approved harnesses to keep occupants firmly in place during aggressive driving. A Mugen roll bar adds structural reinforcement and safety, while a Mugen steering wheel gives the driver precise control and tactile feedback. The entire cabin has been re-trimmed in black Alcantara, covering the dashboard, door panels, and headliner for a race-inspired yet premium feel. Bulletproof’s attention to material quality and texture ensures that the interior feels cohesive and focused. It’s a cockpit that encourages driving engagement while surrounding you with artisanal detail. Every element serves a purpose—from reducing glare on the dash to enhancing grip during spirited maneuvers. The BP25’s interior is less about luxury in the conventional sense and more about creating an environment where the driver becomes one with the machine.
Performance with a Purpose: Maintaining the S2000’s Soul
While 580 horsepower and a 10,000 rpm redline may sound like wild exaggerations, Bulletproof Automotive has managed to achieve these figures without losing what made the original S2000 so beloved. The BP25 isn’t just a brute-force machine; it’s a car that stays true to the precision, responsiveness, and high-revving joy that defined the factory model. According to Bulletproof’s founder Ben Schaffer, the goal was to amplify—not replace—the S2000’s driving DNA. “The S2000 is timeless,” he explained, “and for our 25th anniversary, we had to go back to the source. We took that core high-revving, analogue purity and amplified it with 580 supercharged horsepower and the finest modern tech.” That philosophy is evident in every aspect of the build. It’s still light, still rear-wheel drive, still balanced, and still requires the driver’s full attention and respect. But now, it can trade punches with cars three times its price and walk away victorious.
The Spirit of Japanese Tuning Culture Lives On
The BP25 is more than a single project—it’s a rolling tribute to Japan’s golden era of tuning and the community that still reveres it. Bulletproof Automotive has long been a key player in connecting the East and West tuning worlds, sourcing rare Japanese parts, building high-end performance machines, and representing brands like Amuse, Varis, and Spoon in the United States. The BP25 encapsulates that heritage, blending JDM craftsmanship with American creativity. It honors the culture of Japanese engineering that values precision, lightweight construction, and mechanical harmony. Yet, it also celebrates individuality and artistic freedom—the idea that a car can be both a mechanical marvel and a canvas for self-expression. Every inch of the BP25 speaks to that philosophy, from its titanium exhaust note to the glimmering paint that shifts subtly under light. It’s an emotional and cultural statement as much as it is a technical one, reminding enthusiasts why cars like the S2000 still capture hearts decades after production ends.
A SEMA Showstopper and a Symbol of Passion
The BP25 made its global debut at the 2025 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, standing proudly among the world’s most advanced and extravagant builds. But despite the competition, it managed to stand out—not through sheer excess, but through purpose and purity. The car represents 25 years of Bulletproof Automotive’s journey, a story built on passion for performance and an unyielding respect for authenticity. It’s a love letter to the enthusiasts who grew up idolizing the S2000 and a reminder that analog performance still matters in an increasingly digital world. On the show floor, the BP25 drew crowds not just because of its outrageous specifications, but because it resonated emotionally. It reminded everyone that true automotive art is about balance—between innovation and tradition, between technology and soul. For Ben Schaffer and his team, the BP25 isn’t just an anniversary project; it’s a statement of identity and a promise that the spirit of the driver’s car will never fade.
Conclusion: The Modern Manifestation of a Timeless Icon
The Honda S2000 BP25 by Bulletproof Automotive is more than a celebration of the past—it’s a glimpse into what a modern analogue sports car can be. With its 580-horsepower supercharged heart, 10,000 rpm redline, and hand-crafted attention to every detail, it transcends the boundaries of what most would consider possible for a small two-seat roadster. Every aspect of the BP25 has been engineered, designed, and executed to honor the S2000’s DNA while catapulting it into a new dimension of performance and beauty. It’s a car that redefines the limits of naturally inspired engineering and proves that passion can elevate even the most iconic platforms to new heights. In an era dominated by automation, electric torque, and silence, the BP25 roars unapologetically—a symphony of titanium, carbon, and horsepower. It’s not merely a build; it’s a resurrection, a masterpiece, and a statement of devotion to the art of driving. The Honda S2000 BP25 stands as living proof that legends never truly die—they just evolve into something even more extraordinary.
