The Shanghai Auto Show brought some exciting news for Honda fans as the Japanese automaker revealed plans for the development of a new sports car that will be the spiritual successor to the iconic Honda NSX (Acura NSX in North America).
Speaking on the sidelines of the show, Honda Motor Company president, Takanobu Ito, said the new car won't feature the V10 engine that had been planned for the next NSX, as the company scrapped this project back in 2008, during the global financial crisis. Ito told reporters that the future NSX would be exhilarating to drive but also environmentally friendly. “That's the kind of sports car we want to make. We are working very hard on it,” Ito was quoted as saying by Autonews.
The Honda official didn't offer additional details on the sports car or a timeline for its launch. However, a Honda spokesman said the car is expected to use an electric motor to give the gasoline engine a boost, much like in the case of the CR-Z sport hybrid. But unlike the latter, the NSX successor will be positioned as a high-performance hybrid vehicle.
Initial plans for an NSX successor were cancelled by former Honda president Takeo Fukui, who justified the move then as a cost-saving measure. The car was expected to have a front-mounted V10 engine developing at least 500 horsepower. The drivetrain ended up being used by the Honda HSV-010 GT racecar, the racing variant of the never-to-be-produced NSX V10.
The original NSX was powered by a mid-mounted V6 engine producing 270 horsepower (with a 5-speed manual gearbox). The NSX went out of production in late 2005 after a 14-year long career.
By Dan Mihalascu
10 Comments:
It's amazing that, even though the original NSX design is 22 years old, it looks more modern than and outperforms any new Honda on the road today.
Honda president Takanobu Ito is one stupid idiot, the concept or near production NSX was killed during the 2008 market crash which Honda should have kept. if Honda wants to be back in the market, it has to go through another period of concept, and that is going to take a lot of time, who knows the market will crash again right before Honda can get it into production. bottom line is you can't time the market idiot.
Lexus and Nissan are already way ahead with their sport cars & probably at the finish line already, Honda is just playing catch up with the NSX, Honda is always late in the market like its borrowed SUV from Isuzu to enter the SUV market, and its less desirable truck that comes so late in a flooded market. the only thing Honda is a head is its reliable fuel efficient civic minus the hybrid.
As amazing as a suitable NSX successor would be, Honda should invest that money into its Acura lineup instead to make them more competitive with their rivals.
Considering Acura hasn't had a decent looking new design since 2003 (TL), my optimism isn't that high.
Great news. I'm anxiuously awaiting the release date - hopefully before 2014.
I like the NSX, and to that I can say that even though it languished on the vine for years, I am most definately glad it didn't stick around long enough to the 'fuglified' with the Acura 'dynamic power plenum' bullshit that would have made an outstanding car a dated laughing stock that would have never been given a second chance.
If this does come back here as an Acura, it CANNOT look like an Acura (if you know what I mean).
"Will also fly and solve world hunger."
I'll believe it when I see it, Honda :P.
Sigh. Your last attempt to create a sporty hybrid didn't turn out so well, Honda.
Hope it resembles nothing like the current Honda/Acura lineup.
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