Acura NSX Approved for Production! Concept to Appear at 2012 Detroit Show

[vh_supra26]

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ixQHY0Jki8[/ame]

The new Acura NSX is all about immediacy.

FAST FACTS

• Engine: Twin-Turbo 3.5L V6
• Transmission: 9-speed DCT
• Drivetrain: 3-motor hybrid AWD
• Power: 573 hp, 476 lb-ft of torque
• Fuel Economy: 20/22/21 MPG (city/hwy/combined)
• Top Speed: 191 MPH
• Price: $157,800 (incl. delivery)

It uses electric torque, class-leading chassis rigidity and next-level all-wheel drive electronics to ensure it responds to inputs with urgency. It changes direction the second you ask it to, and the power hits almost telepathically.

Ironic, right? For a car that looks and goes so damn fast, it sure took its sweet time to get here. But as they say, you can’t rush greatness. Is that a phrase that can be applied to the new NSX?

Because it took so long to arrive, we’ve had plenty of time to digest all the details of this Acura supercar. We already know about the six cylinders and two turbos, the three electric motors and the nine speeds on its dual clutch transmission. And then there are the really big digits. Like its horsepower rating and price tag, both of which are equally exotic.

But none of that tells you what you really want to know, which is what it’s like to drive.

Japan’s Greatest Sports Car Ever?

I could say it’s glorious or astounding, but for me, it’s all that and more, because driving this new NSX is truly a bucket list experience. Remember, we’re talking about the modern evolution of the greatest sports car to ever come out of Japan. (Fans of the Nissan GT-R and Toyota Supra can voice their displeasure in the comments section now.)

There might be turbo lag in this car, but you can’t tell. That’s because the rear electric motor gives instantaneous torque with 109 lb-ft available from 500 rpm that masks any delay. Add that to the mid-mounted internal combustion engine and system output totals 573 hp.



To keep you from oversteering yourself off course, the twin electric front motors can each add 54 lb-ft of torque to claw you out of a corner. That might not sound like much, but it works astonishingly well. More importantly, by differing the speeds of the inside and outside wheel, it can use electricity (both output and regeneration) to physically make the car corner. It does so when you’re on the gas, and even when you let off, seamlessly and independently matching to rotation of the front wheels to your steering angle to arc the car through a corner.

As a result, it feels far more stable than you expect for a mid-engine car. Normally, a machine with this much power requires a cautious throttle when exiting a curve, yes, even with sticky Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R tires. But not here. It actually challenges you to put your foot down earlier than you’d ever think you could. The car makes you feel like a much better driver than you actually are.

The real magic is that it does all of this naturally and seamlessly. You simply don’t notice the technology. The steering feels natural, and the regenerative brakes are as consistent as they are powerful.

Is It True to the Original?

Some may criticize the weight of the car, and they’re not wrong. At 3,800 pounds, it’s 600 lbs heavier than an R8 and certainly not light, however, it doesn’t feel heavy at all.

When pressed on issue, Honda PR boss Sage Marie (a bit of a racer himself) admitted that while it’s not like the original NSX in this one way, it does stay true to that car by pushing the industry in a new direction. Whereas the original NSX set the tone for super sports cars to come by offering thrilling performance in a lightweight, reliable and easy-to-drive package, this latest offering is bringing a new level of hybrid technology and handling capability that the car’s chief engineer, Ted Klaus, firmly believes will change the breed forever.



And while these new technological advancements do deliver incredible performance, they’re also where part of the blame lies when it comes to critiquing the driving experience.

As a driver, you feel almost too isolated behind the wheel. Blasting down the back straight at the Thermal Club raceway outside Palm Springs, if I didn’t have a speedometer in front of me, I never would have guessed I just did 125 mph. And the car’s cornering capabilities are almost to good to believe.

I walked away from my 15 or so laps behind the wheel thinking, “I know I’m not this good, but the NSX has me believing I am.”

I’m sold on its performance, but let’s not forget that one of the NSX’s claims to fame was that it was a livable supercar. So what’s it like to drive every day?

Civilized is the best word to describe it.

The Everyday Supercar?

Acura says the NSX is the quietest car in its class, and that’s an easy claim to believe. The NSX comes with four settings that you control via a dial on the center console, and the most basic setting is actually called Quiet Mode.

Then you can switch to Sport, Sport +, and finally Track, with each setting changing all the car’s parameters to be stiffer, quicker reacting and louder.



Unfortunately, even Track mode isn’t loud enough. In the cabin, you can’t even really hear the exhaust anyway. Instead it’s masked by the intake noise that’s piped in right behind you, much in the same way McLaren does (and I don’t love it there, either).

Another area where the car left me lacking was the launch control system. Yes, it’s fast, but I could feel a slight dip in acceleration after the initial launch before it really began to take off. Sure, it throws you back in your seat, but by comparison, the 911 Turbo feels like it just slapped you in the throat.

But back to the real world, whether it’s the super rigid chassis or the magnetic shocks, the ride is extremely comfortable.



Acura is also making a big deal of the sightlines out of this car, and while that’s certainly not as sexy as horsepower, think of it this way: The better you can see out of a sports car, the more confident you feel behind the wheel.

The A-pillars are extremely narrow, meaning you have very little blockage out the front and as a taller driver, I just love how the roof doesn’t overhang. When I come to a stop light in this car, I don’t have to lean forward to see what color it is. I can just look up.

Driven around town, you don’t get any of the jerkiness you’d expect from a dual-clutch transmission, all thanks to the use of the electric motors at low speed, meaning you don’t ever really have to use first gear.

Does This Supercar have a ‘Super’ Interior?

Acura made sure that, like the original, the new NSX has an environment that’s comfortable and user friendly. At 6 foot 1, I fit just fine, although it does require some ducking to get into and out of. What’s genuinely pleasant is that for all the futuristic technologies used to power the car, the cabin is remarkably simplistic in its design and even easier to operate.



The digital gauges are a nice touch and the optional matte carbon fiber steering wheel is certainly exotic. Unfortunately, the tilt and telescopic functions are manual, and the look and feel of some of the switchgear doesn’t live up to the car’s pricepoint.

The Verdict: 2017 Acura NSX Review

Is it worth the astronomical price tag? While it’s certainly not expensive for its competitive set, we are talking $156,000 to start, which may seem like a lot for an Acura. Let me start by saying I might be the wrong person to answer this question. I haven’t mentioned the styling of this car at all yet because it’s totally subjective, but for me, it’s probably worth the cost of entry based on the looks alone.

Of course, you’re getting so much more than an exotic look. And I’m not just talking about supercar performance you can live with and drive every day. This car does such an incredible job making it all feel so natural that it’s easy to forget that when you’re driving the Acura NSX, you’re driving the very first in a new generation of exotic cars.

LOVE IT
Truly exotic styling
Undeniable performance
Seamless integration of next-gen technology
Truly a daily driver

LEAVE IT
Too quiet
Lacks that visceral feel
Some interior components could be better

http://www.autoguide.com/manufacture...ura-nsx-review

[86 South Africa]

Looks good to me! But that price tag puts it out of my league... For now...

[vh_supra26]

[vh_supra26]

https://www.acura.com/news-and-press...rticle=8922-en

NEW YORK, NY

Twin turbocharged NSX supercar to campaign in North American competition starting 2017
NSX slated to undergo homologation this fall as an FIA GT3 class racecar
Racecar body to be built by the Performance Manufacturing Center in Marysville, Ohio, the exclusive manufacturing home to the all-new Acura NSX supercar; engine to be produced in Anna, Ohio
Acura took the wraps off a NSX GT3 racecar today at the 2016 New York International Auto Show, announcing its intention to campaign the twin-turbocharged NSX supercar in North America starting in 2017. The NSX is currently undergoing testing and slated for homologation as an FIA GT3 class racecar this fall.

The unveiled Acura NSX GT3 racecar featured custom bodywork and aero components including a large deck wing spoiler, underbody diffuser and enlarged hood vents for efficient engine cooling. The NSX GT3 will be powered by a 3.5-liter, 75-degree, twin turbocharged DOHC V-6 engine using the same design specifications as the engine in the production 2017 Acura NSX, including the block, heads, valvetrain, crankshaft, pistons and dry sump lubrication system. The engine will be paired with a 6-speed, sequential-shift racing gearbox, delivering power to the rear wheels.

The NSX GT3 will utilize the production NSX's ultra-rigid and lightweight multi-material body with aluminum-intensive space frame, which will be produced by the Performance Manufacturing Center in Ohio, the exclusive manufacturing home for the new Acura NSX. Its twin turbocharged V-6 engine will also be manufactured in Ohio.

Initial development of the NSX GT3 was conducted by the company's Japan race engineering arm with testing on race circuits in Europe and Japan. Additional development, testing and final homologation to FIA GT3 global racing specifications is currently being undertaken by the company's North American race engineering group, Honda Performance Development (HPD), in Santa Clarita, California.

"The NSX was designed as a pinnacle expression of Acura Precision Crafted Performance, and we're looking forward to proving out its ultimate performance capabilities in GT3 racing," said Art St. Cyr, president of Honda Performance Development. "We'll be working with the NSX engineering teams in Ohio and Japan to bring our dream of a truly world-class new Acura NSX racecar to fruition."

The Acura NSX GT3 car will join a rich legacy of Acura sports car racing campaigns and championships, including the 1991, 1992 and 1993 IMSA Camel Lights manufacturer and driver championships, and the 2009 American LeMans manufacturer, driver and team championships in both the LMP1 and LMP2 classes. Acura currently campaigns a pair of TLX GT cars with Real Time Racing in the Pirelli World Challenge.

The production 2017 Acura NSX launches this spring with serial production slated to begin in late April at the Performance Manufacturing Center. Customer order taking commenced on February 25, 2016, with the launch of the NSX online configurator at NSX.Acura.com.

About the Acura NSX

Created to bring a new sports experience to the supercar segment, the next-generation Acura NSX challenges conventional beliefs about supercars, with cutting-edge and world-first technologies. Much as the first generation NSX did a quarter century ago, the 2017 NSX breaks the mold through a first-of-its-kind Sport Hybrid Super Handling All-Wheel Drive™ power unit, a multi-material body structure, advanced aerodynamics and a cockpit that supports performance driving on every level without sacrificing comfort. The 2017 Acura NSX is the only supercar designed, developed and manufactured in the U.S. with production exclusively at the Performance Manufacturing Center in Marysville, Ohio with domestic and globally sourced parts.

About Acura

Acura is a leading automotive luxury nameplate that delivers Precision Crafted Performance through advanced product design and innovative technologies like Acura Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD®) and Precision All-Wheel Steer™ (P-AWS®). On March 27, 2016, Acura will celebrate the 30th anniversary of its launch as the first luxury nameplate from a Japanese automaker.

The Acura lineup features five distinctive models – the RLX luxury flagship sedan, the TLX performance luxury sedan, the ILX sport sedan, the 5-passenger RDX luxury crossover SUV, and the Acura MDX, America's all-time best-selling three-row luxury SUV. This spring, Acura will launch its next-generation, electrified NSX supercar as a new and pinnacle expression of Acura Precision Crafted Performance.

[JPxM0Dz]

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgwXxWfpkgs"]Old vs New: 2017 Acura NSX vs 2005 NSX On Road & On Track Mashup Review - YouTube[/ame]

[tennisfreak]

What a disappointment.

[themadscientist]

Styling is spot on, the whiz bang bullshit is not, but that's the way it is now. Drivers will continue to be relegated to glorified passengers and the guy in the other car will not be my opponent, the computer system will.

[reni]

TIL the NSX is made in Ohio....

[serialk11r]

It's basically a slightly lower hp, slightly more comfortable 918 Spyder with less crazy engine sound, and the weird Acura beak styling.

Sure it's not that exciting, but you could say that about a Porsche 911 Turbo, which has a low rev limit. That's what this is competing with. I'd take this over a McLaren 570 or 911 Turbo S.

[makesdrivingfunagain]

I have been in a couple older NSX's. I always liked it! I would love to drive this car. I am obviously not a race car driver or a track driver. I do some autocrosses and spirited driving. I would like to drive this and maybe compare it to other AWD cars. I am very impressed with the technology. This is way, way outside my class or price range. Its a beautiful car I think. They did an amazing job, WOW!!Thanks for posting this video

[strat61caster]

Originally Posted by makesdrivingfunagain

I have been in a couple older NSX's. I always liked it! I would love to drive this car. I am obviously not a race car driver or a track driver. I do some autocrosses and spirited driving. I would like to drive this and maybe compare it to other AWD cars. I am very impressed with the technology. This is way, way outside my class or price range. Its a beautiful car I think. They did an amazing job, WOW!!Thanks for posting this video

There was a moment when the original NSX was attainable for $30k, if production numbers on this aren't limited and they churn out a few thousand I bet it will be affordable in 10-25 years.

[cdrazic93]

When there are specimens of the R32 to be had for less than specimens of the original NSX, you know its a dream car.

[themadscientist]

Yeah, the NSX still holds a premium. About $35-40 Gs for lesser quality examples.

http://www.goo-net.com/usedcar/HONDA__NSX/index.html

[XanRules]

Here's the big problem with it - MSRP on a base NSX is still about $15,000 more than a fully-optioned BMW i8. Base, the NSX is $20,000 more. If you got both cars with all the options, the NSX is over $50,000 more (the fully optioned i8 is 155k, the fully optioned NSX is 207k). And the i8 is still better by almost every conceivable metric.

And since they're both mid-engine hybrid supercars in the $140-160k range there's no reason for me to think they wouldn't be cross-shopped.

The whole point of an NSX was that you could basically get a supercar without spending the money. Original MSRP was still steep, but you got a lot for your money. In the $110-120 range this would have been a winner. But when you get near the $200k range, as the new one does, there's some seriously heavy hitters and nothing I've seen about this car suggests it can compete with them.