Tuesday, May 21, 2013

NSX's electric motors will help handling

MARYSVILLE, Ohio -- Technical details on the Acura NSX coming in 2015 are scarce, but large-project leader Ted Klaus offered a few nuggets last week as Honda officials announced that the sports car will be built here.

Two front-mounted electric motors will do more than boost acceleration, Klaus said. They will sharpen handling by managing torque and weight shifts in turns.

And the car's three electric motors will be capable of driving the car without the gasoline engine -- if Honda wants to program the car to have an electric drive mode. Klaus also said the car's battery pack will be in the transmission tunnel area and will help handling by ensuring proper weight distribution.

"All three motors will work in conjunction with the driver," he said. "When the driver puts his foot on the accelerator or turns or brakes, all those motors will work in response."

Honda officials know the all-wheel-drive V-6-powered NSX isn't going to outmuscle most Corvettes, Ferraris and Porsches. But they also know that it takes more than raw power to ignite the passion of sports car enthusiasts.

Though technically excellent, the first-generation NSX built from 1990-2005 was seen by many as lacking soul and character, and it never sparked the same level of passion exhibited by drivers of other high-dollar exotic cars -- something Honda officials are keenly aware of.

The NSX will feature a direct-injected V-6 engine, dual-clutch transmission and a body made of lightweight materials. Making all of this engaging to the driver, Klaus said, is a top priority.


Source;
http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130520/OEM06/305209962/nsxs-electric-motors-will-help-handling#axzz2Tw0wYNwr

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