It's no secret that Mazda has ruled the compact, affordable sports car segment with the MX-5 Miata. With interest for the Miata going through the roof, automakers like Toyota and Honda are looking towards creating vehicles that can go head-to-head with Mazda. The Honda S2000 was in production from 2000 to 2009 and is set to make a comeback in the near future. According to a rumor from Autocar, Honda is planning on turning the next iteration of the S2000 into a Miata-fighter.

Autocar reports that Honda's engineers attended a S2000 owners' club event to ensure that the next variant will slot into the right market. "Representatives from Honda's advanced engineering department are said to have attended a recent S2000 owners' club event in the British Isles-a sign that the firm wants to listen to enthusiasts in order to help it position the next version of the car accurately." While that's not a lot to go off of, Honda would be making a mistake by not targeting the MX-5 as its main competitor. Autocar also predicts that the S2000 would honor the last model with its powertrain. "The new S2000 will stay true to the original's principles of a front-mounted engine, sited behind the axle line, and rear-wheel drive."

So far, the next S2000 is looking like it will be a direct competitor to the Miata, but the most important aspect of the rumor is the vehicle's performance. "It will be pitched as a faster alternative to the MX-5, although its performance should be more of a match for that car's stablemate, the forthcoming Fiat 124 Spider…" Autocar also reports that the S2000 will come in two variants: a base model with a 1.5-liter turbo four from the Honda Civic and a more hardcore version with the Honda Civic Type R's 2.0-liter turbocharged engine. While the rumors are a little far-fetched, a S2000 that's faster than the Miata sounds amazing.