Tag: NSX

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Formula 1 Honda

Honda NSX Concept coming to Australia

Acura NSC Concept

One of the first tangible signs for car buyers of Honda’s return to Formula 1 will take place at the Australian Grand Prix (15–18 March) when you will be able to get up close to the NSX Concept.

The NSX Concept will be on display at Albert Park and will also help mark the comeback of the McLaren-Honda partnership.

“This is a new era for Honda in more ways than one,” said Honda Australia Director, Stephen Collins. “The NSX is the rebirth of an icon and represents power, sportiness and efficiency. The NSX Concept will be the star attraction of Honda’s on-circuit display at Albert Park. There will be many fans of the original supercar who we know will enjoy this exclusive preview.”

Australian buyers interested in the NSX should be able to place orders mid-year for delivery in 2016.

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Honda Motor Shows Video

Detroit 2015: Honda NSX

Honda NSX

Honda, or more accurately Acura, has taken the covers off the production-ready NSX. It’s sharp, refined and looks pretty good, we think.

While we have new pictures giving us a good look at the latest “new sports experience” from the boffins at Honda we can’t bring you a lot of technical detail.

Power from the twin-turbo 75° mid-mounted V6 engine? No.*

Power from the independent electric motors driving the front wheels? No.

We can tell you the NSX has a 9-speed dual clutch transmission. 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9 gears. Overkill perhaps?

The Sport Hybrid system—which has three electric motors in all, two at the front, one mounted between the engine and transmission—uses its electric power to provide “zero delay” launch performance. We don’t know how fast yet, but this is going to be a fast car. It will handle well and it will reset benchmarks from what you can expect from the iconic NSX nameplate.

The new NSX will be assembled at a dedicated plant in Marysville, Ohio by 100 specially trained workers. Production commences in the third quarter of 2015 with initial deliveries before the year is out.

We’d like to know more about this car and we’re guessing you would too. For now, you’ve got everything we can get our hands on waiting for you after the break.

*We’ve been told total power is beyond 550hp/410kW during the car’s presentation at Detroit, which you can see in the videos below.

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Honda

The all-new 2015 NSX is coming soon

2015 Honda NSX

Has it been three years already! We first saw the Acura/Honda NSX concept back in 2012 (and a revised version in 2013). With great fanfare we were promised the production model would arrive in 2015. Well, guess what, it’s almost 2015 and that means the production-ready NSX is almost here.

With the four new teaser images Acura has supplied (which we have digitally altered to provide even more of a tease) we can get a glimpse at some of the final bodywork, which has changed during its three year gestation. There’s flutes in the bonnet which will do what exactly?

Presumably those front flutes will provide relief to the electric gubbins at each front wheel. Remember, the NSX will boast a fancy Sport Hybrid SH-AWD system, able to generate positive or negative torque at the front wheels.

The 3.5 litre V6 engine is mid-mounted and there now appears to be quite pronounced Audi R8-like side air intakes to capture and feed air into the induction system.

All will be revealed when the new NSX is launched at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit on 12 January (13 January Australian time). You can watch the press conference live at youtube.com/Acura.

More after the break, including a short teaser video.

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Honda Oh the humanity

New Honda NSX needs improved cooling

Honda NSX

The motoring world fell in love with the Honda NSX concept when it first debuted in early 2012. Mostly because it looks so damn good, but also because we know how much respect Honda has for the NSX badge. They won’t cock this up.

We also knew there would be a long development process, which may take a little bit longer after this NSX prototype was burnt to a crisp during a test session at the Nürburgring this week.

Thankfully neither of the occupants were hurt or injured in the incident which is believed to have started in the engine bay.

Acura/Honda spokeswoman Jessica Fini commented on the mishap:

Acura can confirm that an NSX prototype experienced a fire today while testing at the Nurburgring. We make safety a top priority, and fortunately no injuries occurred. We are investigating the cause but as the vehicle is still under development, we’re not in a position to share details. While an incident like this is unfortunate, the development of the NSX continues its progress toward its highly anticipated launch.

The car is powered by a twin turbo V6 with additional electric power being to both the front and rear wheels, which should be good for 500hp or more. A 7-speed dual clutch transmission will ensure that power is delivered efficiently as well.

It looks like a supercar and burns like a supercar. And we reckon this new NSX will be a bloody good supercar!

You can see video of the NSX in its pre-barbecue state after the break.

[Source: AutoGuide]

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Honda

Your chance to buy “Ex-Ayrton Senna” Honda NSX

Ayrton Senna's 1992 Honda NSX

That’s not any old Honda NSX, that’s Ayrton Senna’s old NSX. Well, that’s the story at least. If you’re keen you can buy it for yourself too. The 1992 model will be up for grabs late next month at the Silverstone Auctions and is expected to fetch as much as £85,000 (approx AU$160,000).

Actually, on closer inspection of the auction listing it turns out that Senna used the car on a regular basis, it was owned by a close friend, but it wasn’t legally his own car:

Antonio Carlos de Almeida Braga was a close personal friend, manager and mentor of Ayrton Senna who purchased this NSX for the great driver to use when he visited his house in Sintra, Portugal north of Lisbon. Senna already had another red NSX that was kept at his villa in the Algarve. Antonia Braga ordered the same specification car that Ayrton had at his home in Brazil. Senna stayed with the Braga’s on numerous occasions and would have been a guest when competing in the Portuguese Grand Prix in 1992/3 at nearby Estoril, endorsing his Honda contract by commuting in the NSX.

Still, that’s good enough, isn’t it? We wonder where the other two NSXs used by Senna are now?

[Source: Silverstone Auctions]

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Honda Motor Shows

Detroit 2013: Honda NSX Concept

Acura NSC Concept

Honda, or more accurately, Acura has turned up to Detroit with a new NSX Concept. Just like they did last year. Only this time they’ve tweaked the styling a little, making it more production-based and opened the doors to give us a look inside. Again, we expect the interior to be pretty close to final production spec.

Jon Ikeda, chief designer, Acura Design Studio, isn’t missing his chance to dabble in some first class hyperbole. “Consistent with the spirit of the original NSX, our intention is to support the psychological and emotional aspects of driving a super car at the limit, because we are insistent about delivering on the synergy between man and machine,” he said.

And, so long as you can get the interior in any colour other than bright red, we think Ikeda and his mates have done a pretty good job. Certainly, from the outside, the latest NSX concept still makes us want one.

Let’s not forget the all-new mid-mounted V6 and tricky electric bits driving the Sport Hybrid SH-AWD system either. We’re expecting the second-generation NSX to be very, very good. Just a shame we’re probably going to have to wait until 2015 to find out.

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Honda Video

Super Bowl XLVI ad: The Seinfeld Chronicles

Super Bowl XLVI Acura NSX with Jerry Seinfeld

Next up on the Super Bowl XLVI ad reel is Jerry Seinfeld and his crusade to become the very first owner of the new Acura/Honda NSX. The NSX concept was the star of the recent Detroit Motor Show and it’s a shame Jerry, and others, will have to wait until around 2015 to get their keys.

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2012 Detroit Motor Show photo gallery

2012 Detroit Motor Show

Here we have a selection of images from the floor of the Detroit Motor Show, or more correctly, the North American International Auto Show.

Unlike Tokyo late last year there’s a noticeable lack of weird and wonderful concept creations, but we certainly applaud the appearance of the Honda NSX Concept. It’s easily the clear star of the show in our eyes.

Not so fortunate is the Chevrolet Code 130R concept; a BMW 1 Series Coupé that somehow turned out all wrong. So, too, the Chrysler 700C. Seriously, does anyone actually look at these things before they are put on the stand. And if they do, then we’ll have some of whatever it is they’re smoking please.

Equally, we can’t quite understand the fascination the North American audience has had with the Ford Fusion. Its poor mans Aston Martin-like grille is an embarrassment.

Anyway, there’s 50-odd pictures for you after the break. Why don’t you be the judge and tell us what you like and don’t like.

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Accessories & Tech Honda

VIDEO: Honda NSX Concept’s SH-AWD in action

Honda NSX Concept

This video released by Honda shows its new NSX Concept in simulated driving scenes from the Sony Playstation game Gran Turismo. Extra graphics also illustrate how the NSX Concept’s very clever Sport Hybrid SH-AWD system works.

In addition to the mid-mounted 3.5 litre VTEC V6 petrol engine there’s three electric motors in all; one at the back and two up front. Each can be powered individually to help provide maximum grip and drive.

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Honda Motor Shows

VIDEO: Honda NSX Concept

Already there’s a number of videos on YouTube featuring the stunning new Honda NSX Concept. Here’s three of the best we’ve found so far.

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Honda Motor Shows

Detroit 2012: Honda NSX Concept

2015 Acura / Honda NSX concept

“Like the first NSX, we will again express high performance through engineering efficiency.”

Speaking at the Detroit motor show, Takanobu Ito, President and CEO of Honda Motor Co, ushered in a new era for the iconic NSX nameplate.

Wearing Acura badging for the North American audience the concept on display looks quite handy. We’re sure the newly developed V6 engine, mid-mounted of course, 7-speed dual clutch transmission and funky sounding Sport Hybrid Super Handling All Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system will follow suit.

To further explain the Sport Hybrid SH-AWD system Honda says the unique twin electric motor drive mechanism uses a bilateral torque adjustable control system. Huh?

That means the new hybrid AWD system can instantly generate negative or positive torque to the front wheels during cornering. Honda reckons this will provide a handling experience unmatched by other AWD systems.

It’s said the new 3.5 litre V6 will offer 230kW of VTEC goodness, with 20kW of electric power available to each of the front wheels and an additional 30kW for the rear axle.

We will probably have to wait until 2015 before this concept becomes a production reality. We may also have to close our eyes and hope for the best when we learn the car will be developed and built in the US; can the Yanks really deliver an NSX worthy of the badge that will appeal to motoring enthusiasts across the globe?

Let’s hope so.

UPDATE 12 January: New pics added below.

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