Honda’s NSX is yet to hit the streets, but the new Honda supercar mixes futuristic lines with an advanced hybrid powertrain. Touted as a Porsche 911, Audi R8 and Mercedes-AMG GT rival, the new Honda packs more power and more presence than the iconic performance car from which it takes its name.
Read on to learn all the key details and features of the new car.
Features and options
The Honda NSX has made its latest appearance at The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering, showing off some of the features and options that will be offered to buyers.While presented at The Quail as an Acura – Honda’s luxury brand that also sold Honda’s previous NSX in the United States – the features should be a good indication of the equipment available to buyers in all markets.
As a built-to-order vehicle, customers will be able to personalise their NSX to a higher degree than any Honda before, with exterior and interior packages, different wheel options and interior technology packages.
Three cars appeared at The Quail – one the Valencia Red Pearl model previously exhibited at various shows, with a Nouvelle Blue Pearl car and Berlina Black example joining it.
The blue car features a Carbon Exterior Package, with carbonfibre front spoiler, side sills, rear diffuser and exhaust finisher. It also has carbonfibre front, side and rear engine covers, a carbon roof and NSX Exclusive interwoven alloy wheels.
Inside, it features Orchid-coloured trim with further carbonfibre additions in the form of a Carbon Sports Package – including the instrument binnacle cover and steering wheel trim, while the pedals and footrest and aluminium. The seats are leather and Alcantara, while the headlining is also Alcantara.
The black car also features the carbonfibre interior and exterior packs, the carbon roof and carbon engine cover. Wheels on the black car are ‘Signature Y-spoke’ alloy wheels, and both cars have an infotainment package including a 9-speaker audio system, navigation, satellite radio and parking sensors.
Engine
Little more than the name links the NSX with its historical predecessor, because the new NSX (built in Honda's plant in Marysville, Ohio from 2016) features a complex hybrid powertrain.At a basic level, this is made up of two independent electric motors that drive the front axle, and a single electric motor that’s linked directly to the crankshaft of a mid-mounted twin-turbocharged V6. Drive is sent to the rear wheels through a nine-speed DCT gearbox.
The V6 displaces 3.5 litres and features both direct and port injection. The cylinder banks are 75 degrees apart, and the block is dry-sumped - beneficial for both packaging (as the engine can be mounted lower) and reducing oil starvation in high-speed cornering. Honda says the low V6 contributes to the lowest centre of gravity in its class.
Chassis and body
The car sits low on 19- and 20-inch multispoke alloys, and features Honda’s new Sport Hybrid Super Handling All-wheel drive tech. This comprises an integrated dynamic system which cycles through four modes: Quiet (presumably full-electric), Sport, Sport + and Track modes. There's also variable-ratio steering to enhance responses.Connecting all this together is what Honda calls its Multi-Material Body. The NSX's monocoque is an aluminium-intensive spaceframe with high-strength steel components. New 'ablation casting' techniques mean certain areas, where strength is key, are stronger than ever - the technique reduces the brittle nature of traditional castings. This, like the car's construction in general, is done in-house at Honda's Marysville plant.
Aerodynamics
No sports car is released these days without spending considerable time in the wind tunnel, and the NSX is no exception.Honda calls its approach 'Total Airflow Management', incorporating aerodynamic drag and downforce, cooling, and the styling effects that result. Heat management is a large factor - the V6 and hybrid system require ten air-cooled heat exchangers and the engine alone uses three radiators: one centre unit tilted forward 25 degrees for maximum efficiency, and two side units. As a turbocharged unit, two intercoolers are also employed.
In terms of aerodynamic efficiency, the NSX uses active components and more traditional elements like a rear diffuser. The aero tweaks also take into account the amount of air being inhaled and exhaled by the powertrain.
Brakes
Carbon ceramic brakes provide the stopping power and a rear diffuser cleans up airflow under the car.Performance data
Performance remains unconfirmed, but taking into account its rivals, a sub-4sec 0-62mph time and top speed approaching 200mph are likely - Honda has previously said it's aiming for Ferrari 458 Italia levels of performance. With hybrid grunt and forced induction, the torque window should be wide and peak power somewhere close to 600bhp.Pricing
Prices will remain unconfirmed until closer to production, which commences in 2016, but a fraction shy of £90,000 seems likely.Source;
http://www.evo.co.uk/honda/nsx/14948/new-trims-and-features-detailed-in-latest-honda-nsx-appearance/page/0/1
While Honda doesn’t seem to be a fan of V8s, a V10 is a whole different story. According to the company’s Executive Vice President Koichi Kondo, the V10 powered NSX is on the way and Honda will do all it can to make it the best sports car in its category.