Preview: Honda’s 600HP V10 NSX-replacement
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The car’s lines will favor efficiency over style, with much of the design derived from Honda’s F1 program. According to Edmunds, a prototype set a blistering Nurburgring lap time of 7m 37s on its first attempt and the final number should easily slip below 7m 30s and into Corvette ZR1 and Nissan GT-R territory.
The key to its performance is high-speed stability. The rear section of the car supposedly acts as a giant rear diffuser, designed to keep the 1,476kg (3,256lb) supercar glued to the road. The other factor in the performance equation is the car’s 5.5L V10 engine, which the insider revealed would output upwards of 600hp (450kW) and 433lb-ft (586Nm) of torque. When not at its peak, the engine will be able to deactivate half of its cylinders to save fuel and lower emissions. Drive will be sent to an uprated Super-Handling AWD system via a new six-speed dual-clutch transmission.
Original: Honda’s NSX replacement has had several false starts, with the company scrapping one of its original designs – the Acura Advanced Sports Car Concept - after the public’s largely negative response to the 2007 Detroit show car. Designers were sent back to the drawing board and Honda was forced to abandon its original plans to show the car at the following Tokyo Motor Show.
Despite the drawbacks, engineers were able to continue testing the new mechanicals for the car by using a modified S2000 body and we saw the first test-mules running laps at the Nurburgring by the middle of last year. The latest round of spy shots suggest Honda has come up with a final design for the car, as seen by this latest prototype once again spotted at the Nurburgring in Germany that's very likely to be the replacement for the legendary Honda supercar.
Speaking with MotorAuthority back in April, Acura spokesman Mike Spencer confirmed several details of the upcoming NSX replacement. The car will definitely be powered by a V10 engine, and it will be equipped with the company’s SH-AWD system. The lack of intakes at the rear of the car also confirms the NSX replacement will feature a front-engine configuration, as opposed to the mid-engine layout of the former.
There has been some discussion of a possible four-wheel steering system (4WS) for the NSX replacement, but Spencer suggested the SH-AWD system would achieve most of the benefits of 4WS without the added complexity.
The NSX replacement is now expected to arrive sometime in 2010 as a 2011 model with final pricing expected to be revealed closer to the car's release date.
Honda (Acura) NSX replacement rendering
Spied 16/07/2008
Spied 06/19/2008
Spied 06/17/2008
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Have an opinion?
Alatienne Posted: 6/17/2008 7:01am PDT
bambam Posted: 6/17/2008 7:41am PDT
chris Posted: 6/17/2008 7:45am PDT
I like the styling of it, looks a little bit more sorted out than the LF-A. I don't know how well the front engine layout is going to go with the NSX fans, but so long as it rivals the LF-A and under cuts it, you've got a winner for sure.
Megalon Posted: 6/17/2008 7:50am PDT
Regardless, please do not call this an NSX.
chris Posted: 6/17/2008 8:02am PDT
All I'm saying is that the NSX crowd isnt going to be happy with a front engine setup. But it looks like its going to be nicer than the LF-A anyways. Like I said, just make sure it handles better, is faster, and undercuts the LF-A.. I'd rather have an acura over a lexus... hell you could call it a honda and I'd still prefer it to lexus.
admin Posted: 6/17/2008 8:14am PDT
chris Posted: 6/17/2008 9:05am PDT
Foxfire Posted: 6/17/2008 9:11am PDT
Alan Posted: 6/17/2008 9:17am PDT
chris Posted: 6/17/2008 10:09am PDT
Foxfire Posted: 6/17/2008 3:13pm PDT
I didn't actually mean my comment in the sense that this car will make much of an environmental impact. It's just that efficient high powered engines like the one on Nissan GT-R impress me more - they're lighter and you don't have to stop at the gas station every day... you can of course alleviate some of this by making the tank bigger, but that just means you're driving around more weight than you need.
Alan Posted: 6/17/2008 5:56pm PDT
CarFanaticsUnleashed Posted: 6/17/2008 6:17pm PDT
I look forward to some awe-inspiring specifications...
desig Posted: 6/17/2008 11:28pm PDT
Lexlife Posted: 6/18/2008 12:50am PDT
I'm optimistic that Acura can pull off an extremely fast & well handling vehicle that offers value. I am a Lexus driver however I'm disappointed about the price point of the upcoming LFA. I do believe the NSX will come in at a more reasonable price albeit close to $100k and I too agree with Edmunds take that the target this time will be Aston Martin - in other words, Acura's shooting for a refined and agile GT that attempts to best a Vantage in every area - offering a high output, front engine V8/V10, awd, the latest in electronics & comfort. As far as beating a GTR/GTR-V, unlikely in its initial form, then again, a refined supercar is what Acura will aim to produce.
burke Posted: 6/18/2008 7:42am PDT
chris Posted: 6/19/2008 2:24pm PDT
hell... look at the ford RS2000... 80 lbs, AWD, mid rear mounted inline 4 cyl 2L turbo charged car that make 650 BHP and hit 60 in 1.9 seconds........ on gravel.
anyone can tune an evo into a lambo killer... but its still a pepped up evo. you want a massive excessive engine.. you want that feeling of raw power. no matter who you are.. if you ever got behind the wheel of a boss 427 mustang or a shelby gt500kr... (i have.. both)... you'll love the sensation of having THAT MUCH power on tap. no technology to speak of. no forced induction... just... power.
excuse me if this isnt what you were talking about
Foxfire Posted: 6/19/2008 5:19pm PDT
no the GTR has a handmade 3.8L twin turbo V6 engine. From the power and torque on tap you can't really tell it's "just" a V6. And it really can't be compared to any tuned evo because the engine was designed to deliver that power (and more, actually... we'll see it in v-spec) from the start.
Now as Alan said, GTR is actually quite heavy, but that isn't because of its engine. If they stuck a V10 in there with similar power/torque, it would be heavier still and would hurt its performance around the track.
IMO, sticking a big NA engine inside a small sports coupe nowadays is the "lazier" approach to performance. Even the great bastion of NA engines, BMWs M division is likely to go smaller / forced induction with the next iteration of cars.
stewie Posted: 6/19/2008 9:02pm PDT
Hopefully this new coupe will be something fierce.
Alan Posted: 6/20/2008 8:16am PDT
Mike Posted: 6/21/2008 6:52pm PDT
Chris, just so you know every car called Honda that had an Acura version was better then the Acura performance wise. NSX, Integra etc. So to me this doesn't make any sense.
In my opinion it looks very promising. It looks nice, it is definanately going to be fast, lots of effort into making it faster then GT-R and its only a prototype. More suspension tweaks would be underway and with 550bhp on tap it should be a thrill to drive. Haven't heard about it being AWD but the GT-R doesn't seem to mind extra weight compared to 911. Saw a few head to head comparisons and with extra weight it could outhandle 911. So knowing the handling that Hondas have with same kind of traction setup and some FWD Hondas compare to average handling AWD cars on tarmac, I'm really looking forward to this.
CarFanaticsUnleashed Posted: 6/25/2008 9:58am PDT
drive Posted: 7/11/2008 6:21am PDT
John Posted: 7/14/2008 4:05pm PDT
John Posted: 7/14/2008 4:07pm PDT
V1sc1ous Posted: 7/15/2008 3:56am PDT
Renton Posted: 7/16/2008 8:04pm PDT
The NSX -- home run
S2000 -- home run
They know how to build great sports cars. I consider Honda to posses the same engineering skills and focus plane that is on the same level as BMW and Ferrari.
I think it will not be a techno beast like the Nissan GT-R, it will be more of a classic lightweight minimalist machine. Electronic aids will be minimal/subtle due to the design which will be so cutting edge yet mostly invisible like the S2000. (which is still ahead of time and quite exotic in its own right.)
This will be a significant car.
chris Posted: 7/16/2008 8:28pm PDT
and I'm not arguing that a well engineered car with much less power will go faster around a track.. and i'm not saying that I've ever been around a track. what I'm saying is that 99.999% of us will never hit 120mph, and we'll never see anything that resembles a track. so why have a rediculously engineered car that can pull 1.5 lateral Gs at 150 mph? none. I'll never get the car to that point. my realm of caring about performance stops at 100 mph... and even that is ridiculous... cause I've only ever been there 3 times. For the most part, I really only care about 0-60.
and to sell the ZR-1 short and call it crappy american big muscle engineering is insane. it's within seconds of the lap time recorded by these other cars on a 7:30 lap? They're both amazing cars... I personally think that the simple satisfaction of driving the ZR1 around would be greater than the GTR. just my personal preference. I also am the kind of guy who wears jeans and T-Shirts.
varan Posted: 7/29/2008 8:02am PDT
Mino Posted: 7/29/2008 10:27am PDT
Another thing...how do you own those two magnificent specimens of Cars and hardly ever take them above 100 mph?...hell even my 4banger honda can hit 120 mph...it's not difficult at all to reach.
as for John, The Vspec will cost as much if not more than the ZR-1, preliminary pricing puts it at $130k however this may be due to inflation of prices (USD falling due to the economy) or possibly the conversion of Yen into USD bumping up the price.
As for the Acura vs Honda comment, it's pretty much similar that Honda's cars in Japan are better than the ones here Stateside, first off Suspension & Handling (honda's bread and butter) how crappy are the roads here compared to that of Japan's? There's your answer, Also how much do americans want a nice Comfortable Ride compared to one that's a tad more aggressive, yet another reason. Then there's Subaru with their crappy 2.5L Turbo Stateside for the STi, and the crazy badass 2.0L STi's in japan that just outright beat the evo's in all their performance testing.
All in all if this NSX replacement (I hate calling it this) does not beat the V-spec handily, I believe it will flop as well as the pricing needs to drop and be under $125k for people to even consider this car. The NSX outperforming ferrari's Lambo's of the early 90's at 90k could hardly sell, I doubt a $160k Honda will outsell Porsche Turbo's Aston Martin's etc. Honda's just selling out of it's price range. Get a Win in F1, Le Mans before you try and sell a High Performance Luxury Sports Car. (I love honda's but just being realistic)
Andrew Posted: 7/29/2008 1:54pm PDT
You're playing directly into GM's hand, Honda! This is exactly what the ZR1 is intended to fight: cars that might be more refined and luxurious, but cost an extra $60K for all your frills.
rickybobby Posted: 7/29/2008 4:01pm PDT
even if it has the same name
george.... Posted: 8/19/2008 5:08am PDT
honda is far away from the others..........
nsx new=the best......
look......7:37 in his first track day(unofficial).......imagine that in 2 years from now it will be under 7:30 just for fun........so simly......
v10 around 600ps atmosfairic engine!!!!!!!!!!
and also imagine honda to work on this project and evolve it through years as ferrari do in fxx.........
one i have to say......a new age is going to begin at the history of car.......
also remember the same was 19 years before.......in 1989 when the first nsx launched.....the history wasn't the same after that.....the same is going to be right now......
japan is far away from the others................................................................
Chris Posted: 8/27/2008 8:05am PDT
to me, getting a supercar is like buying a harley.. sure there are more sensible bikes out there... more affordable, what ever. but you're not buying a harley cause it makes sense. hell, japan makes a much better cruiser for much cheaper. you get a harley cause its loud and obnoxious. thats like your european supercars. even the ugliest ones will turn heads. if you want a japanese supercar, why would you pay twice as much for this car than you'd pay for a GTR? hell, even the LF-A could end up being a better car all around.
but in the end it's all pointless in north america because unless you're putting down time on a track, you're not going to drive faster than 80. if you've been doing 120 in your 4banger honda, you let me know where that is. i just hit recently did 100 in my focus and the stress of keeping an eye peeled for the cops was more than enough to spoil the fun.
nathan monroe Posted: 8/27/2008 9:44am PDT
Ayax Posted: 8/27/2008 2:32pm PDT
ohmy Posted: 8/27/2008 4:06pm PDT
its a midget version of the Lexus car.
bummer Posted: 8/27/2008 6:04pm PDT
Gabe Posted: 8/29/2008 2:33pm PDT
This is Honda's next halo super sports car. It'll once again reset the bar and make manufacturers rethink their technology (NSX did this to Ferrari the first go around) in order to match what Honda came up with.
Honda's got so much "enginuity" on-tap it's scary -- it's just a matter of whether they want to make it available to everyday consumers.
Watch out, LF-A, GT-R, ZR-1 et al, Honda's coming back to play for keeps. :)
venci Posted: 8/31/2008 9:59am PDT
For those who like turbo, just go with the Nissan or a Porsche. Don't be ridiculous to teach Honda how to build an engine. It's even funnier when it comes from someone who can't tell the difference between a real racing engine and a turbo crap that can just as easily have come out of any decent tunning garage.
BlakuraTLS Posted: 9/11/2008 5:57pm PDT
Honda Leak Posted: 12/14/2009 9:45pm PST
C55A1 = NSX 5.5L V10 DOHC VCM iVTEC With FRM cylinder walls
Output = 510hp (380kW SAE Net BHP 372lb-ft (450Nm) USDM @ 7800RPM
Output = 520hp (410kw SAE Net BHP 390lb-ft (465Nm) JDM @ 8000RPM
Timing = Chain Driven forged steel components with nitride hardening
Comp Rt = 10.8:1 Compression
Petrol = 91 Octane Minimum
Wheels = 225 R18 Front 255 R18 Rear
Rubber = Bridgestone Potenza RE 011
Release = Summer 2011
Intake = Dual Cold intake, dual stage resonator chambers
Power = Output = 92 hp/L
DJ Posted: 3/8/2010 12:34pm PST
Beans Posted: 6/22/2010 1:29pm PDT
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