NSX CONCEPT SUPERCAR WILL BE
BUILT!
Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
President and CEO Takanobu Ito unveiled a concept version of the Acura NSX in Detroit. Although Acura is
keeping most of the vehicle's details under wraps, the new NSX will employ a
lightweight chassis, a mid-mounted V-6 engine and Acura's innovative new Sport
Hybrid SH-AWD (Super Handling All Wheel Drive) system. Ito said the new
supercar will come to market within three years.
Honda plans to produce the
new supercar near its current auto production operations in central Ohio at a
unique, advanced manufacturing operation. The original Acura NSX was built at
Honda plants in Japan from 1990 to 2005. I had the good fortune to test drive
the original NSX at the Homestead Race Track in Southern Florida. Then a travel
for a few days from Coral Gables to Key West.
"Honda associates are
up to the challenge of producing the new NSX for global customers with a high
degree of craftsmanship," said Hidenobu Iwata, head of Honda's North
American manufacturing operations and president of Honda of America Mfg., Inc.
"Honda associates in Ohio have been building high-quality Honda and
Acura vehicles for nearly 30 years, so this news in many ways is a culmination
of their determined efforts."
A team from HRA Ohio Center
will lead the continued design and development of the new vehicle. Headquartered
in Torrance, Calif., Honda R&D Americas has major research and vehicle
development operations in the Raymond, Ohio center, where much of the work on
the NSX will take place.
The
dynamically-styled NSX Concept gives an indication of the next great
performance vehicle from the Acura brand. Making use of lightweight materials
and a mid-mounted V-6 engine, the NSX Concept employs several new technologies
for Acura, including application of Acura's innovative new Sport Hybrid SH-AWD®
(Super Handling All Wheel Drive™) hybrid system.
Utilizing an
unique 2 Electric Motor Drive Unit with a bilateral torque adjustable control
system, the all-new hybrid all-wheel-drive system can instantly generate
negative or positive torque to the front wheels during cornering. Acura
anticipates the new Sport Hybrid SH-AWD® will deliver handling performance
unmatched by previous AWD systems. In addition to the handling benefits of the
Sport Hybrid SH-AWD® system, a powerful next-generation VTEC® V-6 engine with
direct-injection works in concert with a dual clutch transmission with built-in
electric motor to create supercar acceleration while offering outstanding
efficiency.
"This
Sport Hybrid SH-AWD system will make NSX the ultimate expression of Acura's
idea to create synergy between man and machine," said Takanobu Ito,
president and CEO of Honda Motor Co., Ltd. "The NSX will make the driver
one with the car to enhance dynamic driving abilities without getting in the
way."
While most
supercars opt for brute force delivered from a large engine, the NSX Concept
champions the true racing philosophy of an extremely favorable power-to-weight
ratio.
"Like the
first NSX, we will again express high performance through engineering
efficiency," added Ito, who led the development of Acura's first NSX
supercar. "In this new era, even as we focus on the fun to drive spirit of
the NSX, I think a supercar must respond positively to environmental
responsibilities."
The new Acura supercar, expected to debut in the next three years, will
be developed by an engineering team led by Honda R&D Americas, Inc.
Cannot wait to test the NSX.
Bruce Hubbard
Auto Advisor Group
Bh.autoadvisorgroup@gmail.com
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