Tuesday 13th January 2015

Honda NSX - Detroit 2015

Not a concept or a preview, the actual production NSX is at Detroit! Full details here

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Where on earth do you begin with the Honda NSX? The replacement for a legendary original, a car we've been waiting many years to see and a car packed with innovative technology. Us? Eager? You bet!

Nine gears, three motors, 4WD - it's got tech!

Alright, here's an interesting one to kick off: the NSX will be built in America. A 'Performance Manufacturing Center' [sic] in Marysville, Ohio will see full body construction, paint and final assembly. The parts are "domestic and globally-sourced." Perhaps not the most significant aspect of the new NSX but one that seemed worth highlighting.

Now if you''re of a cynical disposition, you will look at these pictures of the production NSX and say "Hang on, that's identical to the 2012 Detroit NSX concept, what the heck have they been doing for three years?" Apparently anticipating such responses, Honda has provided a detailed breakdown of where this cars differs. It is 80mm longer, 25mm wider and 15mm taller with a 20mm longer wheelbase. The proportions are also said to be slightly more cab-forward than previously. So there.

Anyway, the tech is the really interesting stuff with the NSX. The Sport Hybrid Power Unit combines a mid-mounted, twin-turbo, dry-sumped V6, three electric motors, a nine-speed DCT and Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive. An electric motor between the engine and transmission "supports acceleration, braking and transmission shifting performance" with the fronts driven by a pair of motors with torque vectoring capability. Honda is particularly keen to stress the benefits of this system as it provides "instantaneous launch performance and handling response that seems to anticipate the driver's desire." Certainly it sounds like a fascinating application of an electric motor's benefits. As for actual old-fashioned power and torque, nothing has been confirmed by Honda yet. Rumours are of about 550hp which we'll confirm as soon as possible.

Still requires a human here though. Fancy it?

That's far from the end of the technological innovations either. The Sport Hybrid Power Unit motors along an Advanced Multi-Material Body, a spaceframe of aluminium, steel and other materials with a carbon floor. Honda claims a new, world-first casting process is used in the NSX that "combines the design and manufacturing flexibility of a casting process with the strength and elongation properties of a forged material." Right. It contributes to a low kerbweight which, er, Honda hasn't yet disclosed... Still, the centre of gravity is low with all the hybrid gubbins stuffed low and towards the centre of the car.

Still with us? Good, then you'll want to know about Agile Handling Assist (AHA), Honda's version of McLaren's Brake Steer, which uses subtle brake applications to "further enhance yaw response and dynamic stability." Standard carbon ceramics should do a decent job of all braking requirements.

Promises a hell of a lot - we'll find out soon!

And what of the the soul driving all this? They reside in a "Human Support Cockpit" (that is real, honest). The main TFT display in front of the steering wheel will alters depending on the mode selected on the Integrated Dynamics System, the big central dial above the transmission tunnel. There are four settings from Quiet (EV mode at low speeds for short distances) to Track (that should be fairly obvious) with Sport and Sport + between them. As per usual for configurable driver settings, each mode influences the response of the electric motor, combustion engine, transmission and chassis behavior. It's all part of the NSX being a "human-centred supercar" you see.

Orders for the NSX will be taken from this summer with deliveries expected by the end of 2015. Unless there's another delay. Now we know Ford will have a relatively old-school rival for it too. Exciting times!

[andyps]

Fortunately it still looks good after all this time - really liked the version I saw at the Geneva show a couple of years ago.

[Lordbenny]

It's....ok. A bit meh to be honest. Really don't like the messy front end and orange indicators.

[hughcam]

Ford GT any day over this for me. Or an original facelift NSX....

[Speed_Demon]

"Anyway, the tech is the really interesting stuff with the NSX. The Sport Hybrid Power Unit combines a mid-mounted, twin-turbo, dry-sumped V6, three electric motors, a nine-speed DCT and Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive"

I'm sorry but I had to excuse myself to the little boys room at this point.

I really cannot wait for this. I just hope it's more NSX than GTR.

[dobly]

Price? Will there be a Type R or Type S version in future? Targa version?
Still more questions than answers at this stage....

[rb26]

dobly said:

Price? Will there be a Type R or Type S version in future? Targa version?
Still more questions than answers at this stage....

They said in the $150,000 range, so £100,000ish.

[dobly]

Lordbenny said:

It's....ok. A bit meh to be honest. Really don't like the messy front end and orange indicators.

Orange indicators are reflectors required by US law - won't be on the UK Honda.

[Amirhussain]

Looks good, very striking. Look forward to NSX v GTR. Hopefully Toyota can join in too. What happened to the new Supra?

[dxg]

Sadly, I think it's an overly-fussy design that's going to date badly - particularly the front. It's not going to be a classic like the original.

[daytona365]

Sorry, this looks like a missed chance, and nowhere near the groundbreaking original NSX ( In 89 let's not forget )Just says to me 'watered down Audi R8'.

[dobly]

I'm so glad the wheels are more like those on my Type S than on the prototype..... they were hideous.

[gregf40]

hughcam said:

Ford GT any day over this for me.

I phoned Ford today to put my name down for a new GT - the price is expected to be somewhere between £150-200k.

So whilst I would certainly have the GT over the NSX - there is quite a big price difference.

[Benbay001]

gregf40 said:

I phoned Ford today to put my name down for a new GT

Lucky you.
Did they say much? Any interested new details? Like whether they had been inundated with phonecalls?

[LaurasOtherHalf]

gregf40 said:

I phoned Ford today to put my name down for a new GT - the price is expected to be somewhere between £150-200k.

So whilst I would certainly have the GT over the NSX - there is quite a big price difference.

The thing is no one knows the price of the nsx yet

[alexpa]

So a Porsche 918 for about a 7th of the price. Yes please.

[pistondan77]

dxg said:

Sadly, I think it's an overly-fussy design that's going to date badly - particularly the front. It's not going to be a classic like the original.

Totally agree. A technological showcase for sure, but what a styling hash-up. Externals like the internals - confusing and overly complicated.

[blearyeyedboy]

I think it bodes well that Honda have the confidence to release this after so long. It bodes well for Type R products lower down the range too- It may not be the same as the high revving VTECs of old but Honda might just have got their swagger back.

[rb26]

LaurasOtherHalf said:

The thing is no one knows the price of the nsx yet

They said in the region of $150,000 so either side of £100,000 is probable.

[loudlashadjuster]

daytona365 said:

Sorry, this looks like a missed chance, and nowhere near the groundbreaking original NSX ( In 89 let's not forget )Just says to me 'watered down Audi R8'.

Came on to grumble about the looks as well, but then I remembered the original was perceived as a watered-down 348 pastiche.

[gregf40]

LaurasOtherHalf said:

gregf40 said:

I phoned Ford today to put my name down for a new GT - the price is expected to be somewhere between £150-200k.

So whilst I would certainly have the GT over the NSX - there is quite a big price difference.

The thing is no one knows the price of the nsx yet

It will be £100-£115k I've been told by a reliable source.