After a long wait and many teaser concepts, the production version of the Honda NSX has been shown to the world via the Detroit Motor Show. Under the American Acura brand, the Honda NSX is essentially a mid-engined sports hybrid supercar, which will start going on sale later in 2015.
New Honda NSX Engine
The engine in the Honda NSX sounds mouth-wateringly exciting. It’s a twin turbocharged V6 setup, featuring a nine-speed dual-clutch gearbox and most importantly a three-electric motor hybrid system. There’s also a smart version of all-wheel drive. This, combined with an ultra rigid and lightweight body means the Honda NSX will be a very quick car. Figures aren’t available yet, but I estimate the Honda NSX will get to 100kph in about 3.5 seconds.
Honda claims the new NSX is “a car that puts the driver first in every aspect of its design, the next-generation NSX will leverage its state-of-the-art hybrid supercar power unit, body and chassis to deliver exceptionally intuitive and immediate response to driver inputs.”
Interior
The cabin of the Honda NSX has been claimed to be designed from the inside out, with an all-out focus on the driver. There’s plenty of forward visibility, easy to use controls and class-leading ergonomics. There’s a fancy seat arrangement too, which is claimed to offer comfort and easy access. These are traits not usually associated with supercars, so it’ll be exciting to see whether this is true.
Technology
There’s a lot going on under the skin of the Honda NSX. There’s a fully independent aluminium front and rear suspension. Power is transmitted to the road via ContiSportContact performance rubber, and the wheel sizes are 245/35Z R19 at the front and 295/30Z R20 at the rear. Stopping power is provided by six-piston carbon ceramics at the front, with four-piston brakes at the back.
With driving modes like Quiet, Sport, Sport+ and Track modes, the Honda NSX is able to adjust engine, motor, transmission and chassis response, as well as the engine sound level, based on the needs of the driver and driving environment. Quiet (or as I call it: stealth) mode enables electric-only driving at lower speeds for short durations. Dynamic vehicle responses become increasingly sharp as the driver moves from Sport to Sport+ mode and, finally, to Track mode, where the NSX goes into full attack mode.
The best part of this story is that the Honda NSX has been confirmed for SA. Honda’s PR manager has said the car will arrive in the first quarter of 2016. Honda SA will be on a performance roll by then as the anticipated Civic Type R will have been released too.
