Filed under: Spy Photos, Coupes, Sports/GTs, Acura
Spy Shots: Acura NSX hits the streets
by Alex Nunez on Jun 17th 2008 at 9:32AM 
Click above for a high-res gallery of new Acura NSX spy shots
The spies at KGP Photography have captured the first shots of the next Acura NSX in its prototype form. Gone is the makeshift S2000 bodywork the car has been photographed in before, replaced by what appears to be its true form: a classic, long-hooded sports car profile that is significantly more muscular and aggressive-looking than the Advanced Sports Car Concept. The camo effectively hides most of the juicy details, particularly up front,. Still, you can make out the three well-defined intake openings there, as well as headlamps that are larger than the slitlike units shown on last year's concept car. In back, stacked square dual exhausts suggest plenty of underhood muscle, which makes sense since a V10 is expected to be nestled under the car's lengthy bonnet. The mule depicted above also suggests a BMW 6-series-like decklid aft of the rear glass, though there's no way of knowing if it incorporates taillamps that run the width of the rear, as we saw on the concept. No matter. It all adds up to something we want to see a lot more of, and soon.
Gallery: Spy Shots: Acura NSX
Gallery: Acura Advanced Sports Car Concept
[Source: KGP Photography]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
MajorGeek 9:37AM (6/17/2008)
Interesting, always liked the design of the previous NSX, although we all know what its shortcoming was. Looking forward to seeing this finished, hope its over the top like the old NSX.
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James 11:32AM (6/17/2008)
Shortcoming? If you're talking about power, then you really should drive one before assuming the 300hp V6 was inadequate. The NSX was wonderfully balanced by having great handling and more than adequate power. Not all cars are designed to be straightaway bruisers like the new Challenger, etc.
If you're talking about interior design, then I agree. It was quite possibly the most boring interior design for a "supercar"
User 12:38PM (6/17/2008)
It's shortcomings were both of those. And before you get all defensive, its 300hp engine was a massive shortcoming of the NSX from a sales standpoint. No, neither the original poster or I have test driven the car. So we don't know how well "balanced" that 300hp engine is. And no, if I were in the market I wouldn't have test driven the NSX because of that low number. See what I mean? It was a major shortcoming from a sales perspective.
SimbaDogg 2:12PM (6/17/2008)
James...if you're saying your response to the shortcoming of the nsx is "you probably haven't driven one" my response to you is, "maybe you haven't seen one compete on track"
the car is one of the most well balance cars for its time, it went way too long w/out getting serious updates. A simple stroking of the engine in 96 was hardly enough to keep it competitive. Variants like the 02 spec NSX-R and even the earlier 3.0 NSX-R were amazing on track...depending on that track. You dont know how many times i've seen the car pitted against Z06s, porsches, ferraris, and lambos and seen it more than hold its own in the the corners...only to find that it lacked the power to compete once they hit the long stretches.
anyone who has ever modded, or known anyone to mod a nsx might know that it's able to pick up a good amount of power w/ simply an intake header and exhaust. honda has never been one to partake in the HP wars that other mftrs do...but seriously, a bump of 30 whp would have been easily done from a tech standpoint, and made it quite a bit more competitive.
cly 2:15PM (6/17/2008)
And before you guys argued to death about shortcoming of the NSX...get your head out of the sand and look at how old the car really is. Roll your clock back to 1990.
It's a beautiful piece of machinery under, inside or outside, even in 2008.
John R 9:39AM (6/17/2008)
Ehh...Kinda looks like an Accord coupe got it on with an M6 ended up with a 'roided up CRX.
I'm sure this car will set the asphalt ablaze but I just wish Honda didn't give up on the mid-engine setup.
ho-hum...
http://fp.images.autos.msn.com/merismus/as/autoshow2004/photos%5Cb_bbAcuraHSC.jpg
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John R 9:47AM (6/17/2008)
that should be "and ended up with..."
BigMcLargeHuge 9:49AM (6/17/2008)
Yeah, that mid-engined concept you referenced looks awesome.
Franz 11:12AM (6/17/2008)
Ditto John. The NSX won't be quite the same without the mid engined layout, and this test mule doesn't look nearly aggressive enough. Looks like a big RSX/Integra with a few LF-A styling cues on the front end. Why, oh why did they give up on the HSC?
speedball3 11:18AM (6/17/2008)
I think it's more of a "del sol on Steroids" look. Particularly how the back of the cabin begins to blend into the trunk lid. =)
That said, I think it'd be cool if they used the concept you referenced but added sharper lines and less 'bubbliness.'
Vintage 9:39AM (6/17/2008)
I really don't see how they could improve upon the design of the old one. If anything this will just be more aggressive looking, which isn't hard, but it won't live up to the clean, purposeful look of the original. So the original is a little underpowered... who cares?! It's still an incredibly sexy vehicle, with a lot of performance potential.
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Mobius_1 11:02AM (6/17/2008)
I think the original was an awesome formula, unbeatable for balance and value. I would actually like a mid-mounted V6 with decent space front and back (but I think I just talked about the Cayman, well, that's not a bad car is it?)
RG 9:41AM (6/17/2008)
I was getting ready to complain about the stacked quad tips, but then I looked at the pics and they look pretty damn good. Much better integrated than the IS-F or even the Ferrari California.
With that said, this does not look like a $200k supercar shape. $120k, sure, but no way a Gallardo or F430 fighter.
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RG 9:45AM (6/17/2008)
Wow, this thing looks downright SMALL!!! From the side it doesnt look nearly as large as the LF-A, it looks more like a Z. A 500-hp, AWD, With Z size and heft? This thing could be a scorcher.
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Torrent 12:16PM (6/17/2008)
Could just be the Camo....
It'd better be mid-engined...
R 12:48PM (6/17/2008)
I can't even tell that it's an acura/honda under there. How is the poster sure?
hashiryu 2:52PM (6/17/2008)
no way that is mid engined
Chris 9:51AM (6/17/2008)
OT: The obnoxious autoblog.com watermarks are just that, obnoxious. Its not like you guys originated those pictures but you sure went out of your way to imply it.
Look, the originals are already tagged by a name, why muddy it up more. Next time use your paintshop skills to remove either the white or black to show the shape of the car cleaner.
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Alex Nunez 11:04AM (6/17/2008)
Because we pay for them, Chris. Posting them unwatermarked by us essentially gives away KGP's shots to the entire Internet for nothing. The watermarks are there to protect our investment and to protect KGP from getting screwed. When these shots pop up elsewhere, it's obvious that they were used without permission or payment to the original photographer.
Stop acting like we're the only site that watermarks. Everyone watermarks out of necessity.
Chris 11:35AM (6/17/2008)
then don't put the watermarks on the damn car. Be professional like the place you bought them from.