Monday 12th December 2011

Detroit debut for new Honda NSX...

...although it will wear an Acura badge for the show

---

This is not the new NSX

Honda is finally set for the unveiling of the concept that will become a spiritual successor to the original Honda NSX.

Nor is this

An all-new concept version of the next NSX will be unveiled (with Acura badges) at the Detroit show next January.

Honda is not yet going public on the specifics of the new car but it's now pretty certain that, as we revealed last year, the new super-coupe will get V6 hybrid power and four-wheel drive when it arrives in 2013.

Like the original NSX, the new car is expected to get a mid-mounted V6, coupled to Honda's new Electric Super Handling-All-Wheel-Drive system. It's also expected that the car will be driven by the rear wheels via its V6 and electric motor, but that the front wheels will get motive power from twin electric motors, one driving each wheel.

The whole shebang will also be mated to a 7-speed twin-clutch gearbox, a first for a Honda.

As for the visuals, concrete details are scarce, but expect a technical, futuristic look. All will be revealed at Detroit, no doubt...

 

[WCZ]

I hope they use an eccentric design.

[alexlex85]

I don't why ,but I have a good feeling about this.I always loved NSX's.
Japanese are impressing me lately!The good times are coming back.Kill the Jazz and Note and bring back the good ones!

[alexpa]

Great news!

All the original NSX's were badged Acura in the states, that's nothing new.

[Johnboy Mac]

A slow news day or what.................

[BelfastBoy]

The original NSX was a great car that could've clearly handled a lot more than 276bhp - factory Japanese cars were limited then in terms of power output, weren't they? Original car's design is timeless, still looking clean and modern 20 odd years later. I have very high hopes for the new model - MORE POWER!

[RudeDog]

When Honda make a performance version of a car it is usually best in class or close to it so this should be an interesting car to look out for next year.

They should try the Acura badge in Europe too, it might stop a few people thinking the driver had borrowed their grandparents keys.

[britsportscars]

Good news!

[VeeDub Geezer]

I thought this was supposed to be the new NSX?





http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/autoexpressnews/...

[alexpa]

alexlex85 said:

I don't why, but I have a good feeling about this.I always loved NSX's.
Japanese are impressing me lately!The good times are coming back.Kill the Jazz and Note and bring back the good ones!

Have you driven a Jazz? They are great handling (for what they are) little cars with a cave of a boot due to the rears folding under the fronts. I previously looked down on them, then we got one as a run around and tow car for a Karting trailer. In it's own way I like it as much as my (ex) DC2 Integra.

Meanwhile, im glad Honda are looking to roll out 'high' performance cars again, starting with the Mugen CR-Z
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

I hope we get an Integra replacement also, not along the DC5 lines.

[Johnboy Mac]

RudeDog said:

They should try the Acura badge in Europe too, it might stop a few people thinking the driver had borrowed their grandparents keys.

Oh, no. Honda badge please, some of the very best engines are Honda's & some cars too. I was almost always proud to be a Honda owner, even driving a boggo Accord 2.0 Vtec. The Acura brand means nothing to the likes of me other than a U.S. marketing excerise by Honda.

Edited by Johnboy Mac on Monday 12th December 16:18

[Robmarriott]

"priced at a Nissan GT-R-rivalling £65,000"

So, £85k then, weighing more, with less power and not as good looking.

I'm looking forward to it.

[matbat]

alexpa said:

Have you driven a Jazz? They are great handling (for what they are) little cars with a cave of a boot due to the rears folding under the fronts. I previously looked down on them, then we got one as a run around and tow car for a Karting trailer. In it's own way I like it as much as my (ex) DC2 Integra.

Meanwhile, im glad Honda are looking to roll out 'high' performance cars again, starting with the Mugen CR-Z
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

I hope we get an Integra replacement also, not along the DC5 lines.

Agreed never thought much of the Jazz though my girlfriend has one and I must confess I was really surprised how good they are. That said we were loaned the New Jazz "hybrid" and it was half the car of the 07ish Jazz.

Honda do have some great products in multiple fields. (Yeah I ride a Honda motorbike too )

[veevee]

Robmarriott said:

"priced at a Nissan GT-R-rivalling £65,000"

So, £85k then, weighing more, with less power and not as good looking.

I'm looking forward to it.

think they're gonna have a bit of a job making it less good looking the the gtr to be fair, or to weigh more.

[Guvernator]

doogz said:

Robmarriott said:

"priced at a Nissan GT-R-rivalling £65,000"

So, £85k then, weighing more, with less power and not as good looking.

I'm looking forward to it.

How do you know this?

It's in the autocar article linked in a post above. I am quitely optimistic although I hope it doesn't end up looking anything like those pics above as that is hideous. Let's hope it also stays true to the spirit of it's succesort and is reasonably lightweight with a responsive engine.

Still it's nice to see that the Japanese manufacturers all seem to finally be coming out of their boring car phase!

[Robmarriott]

doogz said:

Robmarriott said:

"priced at a Nissan GT-R-rivalling £65,000"

So, £85k then, weighing more, with less power and not as good looking.

I'm looking forward to it.

How do you know this?

It was just a sarcastic jibe related to the GT86/BRZ price/weight fiasco.

The £65k guesstimate is in the AutoExpress link.

[Carnnoisseur]

[quote=VeeDub Geezer]I thought this was supposed to be the new NSX?






Glad you posted this, hadn't seen it before, stunning!!!

[Ferosferio]

BelfastBoy said:

The original NSX was a great car that could've clearly handled a lot more than 276bhp - factory Japanese cars were limited then in terms of power output, weren't they? Original car's design is timeless, still looking clean and modern 20 odd years later. I have very high hopes for the new model - MORE POWER!

The 276 figure was a 'gentleman's agreement' between car manufacturers & the Japanese government I believe. It's widely speculated that the actual power output was a good bit higher. In fact, Skylines from the same era & beyond we're leaving the factory with well over 300 bhp according to tests by the automotive press.

I agree though, it's exciting news. Let's hope Honda can keep the weight down as much as possible & it won't necessarily need significantly more power than the original.

If only...

[Meoricin]

Ferosferio said:

The 276 figure was a 'gentleman's agreement' between car manufacturers & the Japanese government I believe. It's widely speculated that the actual power output was a good bit higher. In fact, Skylines from the same era & beyond we're leaving the factory with well over 300 bhp according to tests by the automotive press.

I agree though, it's exciting news. Let's hope Honda can keep the weight down as much as possible & it won't necessarily need significantly more power than the original.

If only...

This. The gentleman's agreement was about not advertising above 276bhp, so loads of cars that actually produced more were all advertised at that figure. IIRC some companies did use it as an actual cap though, and made the cars specifically to that power.

[Sethlj]

Call me picky, but couldn't it do with some headlights/indicators on the front?

Must be the concept, with the looks to change?

S.

[Dagnut]

Sethlj said:

Call me picky, but couldn't it do with some headlights/indicators on the front?

Must be the concept, with the looks to change?

S.

Robert Downy Jrs smug sense of self satisfaction lights the road in front.