Filed under: Spy Photos, Supercars, Acura, Honda, Rendered Speculation
Rendered Speculation: Honda NSX without zebra camouflage
AutoExpress is just as interested in the styling of the next NSX as the rest of us are, so they pressed a digital artist into action to 'chop the shots of the car running on the Nurburgring. What they've come away with isn't nearly as bad as we thought it might be on our last podcast. It still looks like a hotted-up Accord Coupe in some ways, though the lines and proportions are rather classic, and the anti-flamboyance creates a car that wouldn't look ridiculous next to an F430, except for the quad stacked exhaust tips. Of course, all the renderings really do is muddy the waters until we see the actual car, but at least if these images ring true, the NSX won't suck. It won't stand out, either, but who ever bought an Acura to stand out? [Source: Auto Express, Photo: Larson]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
AngeloD 9:30AM (6/28/2008)
Unfortunately this new version, however worthy from a performance standpoint, loses a lot of the "supercar" persona of the original due to the pedestrian styling.
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dwightB 11:32AM (6/28/2008)
Yea, but keep in mind that "supercar" never even broke 300hp. Doesn't mean a whole lot to LOOK the part when you can't back it up with performance...
ken_aisin 4:56PM (6/28/2008)
I agree. I don't mind seeing this car in an Acura or Honda dealership, but I just don't want it to carry the NSX name. NSX is supposed to be MR, not FR. The more I read about this new "NSX", the more I miss my 03 NSX. Shouldn't have sold it.
CarbonBlack 2:23PM (6/28/2008)
It could back it up with performance!
It handled like no ones business, and was fairly light.
300 HP was plenty to beat Porsche and Ferrari in their own game!
IK47 2:41PM (6/28/2008)
dwight, the NSX outperformed plenty of the European supercars of it's time.
and it was designed to be reliable and cheap to maintain. let's see another supercar do that.
rav3 5:34PM (6/28/2008)
Considering the NSX can't beat a stock STI on a track (either that or The Stig drove the NSX with the handbrake on), I wonder how well it could deal with a Porsche or Ferrari. I have my doubts.
As far as the original NSX design is concerned: if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
This thing is in no way an NSX and should be named differently. A very nice looking Nissanesque design. Hardly original or inspired but quite sporty looking for a Honda...
Kiiks 5:19PM (6/29/2008)
I kinda like the 550Z Type R.
Michael 9:56PM (6/29/2008)
Guys, when the NSX came out the Porsche 911 only had what 260hp? And the 355 was not even out yet. The NSX was just a little bit more expensive than the 911. I would take the NSX over the c2 911 and the 348 ANY DAY. I'm not saying it was a supercar, but it was sweet.
Oh and by the way, there was this race car driver, one of the best of all time, that helped develop the NSX, anyone remember Senna?
Also if you want more power just bolt on the factory approved supercharger which did not void the warranty.
tankd0g 9:55AM (6/28/2008)
Meh. Kinda looks like a Prelude trying to be a Ferrari 599.
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superman211 4:04PM (6/28/2008)
Yeah 599 all the way. I thought wow Pinifarina must be moon lighting!
DemaSRV 9:57AM (6/28/2008)
Those rendering look pretty aggressive to me, of course production versions are always a lot less aggressive than the renderings or speculation.
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r33 10:14AM (6/28/2008)
beautiful...in a generic way.
my jdm option would be a gtr.
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robert bell 10:23AM (6/28/2008)
front looks like a refreshing of the S2000 and the rear looks like crap. At 90K pounds that translates to almost $200 here; for that amount I would stretch a bit and go for an entry level Ferrari.
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f3rg 10:24AM (6/28/2008)
That's not an NSX; this is an NSX: http://www.dragtimes.com/images/11783-1991-Acura-NSX.jpg
If Honda is going to retire the mid-engine layout, they should also retire the name.
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Michael 10:26AM (6/28/2008)
YES. I agree completely.
2004m3driver 11:01AM (6/28/2008)
Yup the NSX is too much of a cult classic to change everything and keep the badge.
Michael 12:27PM (6/28/2008)
Absolutely agreed. Retire the badge if you intend on creating a completely different car. This is the same as Pontiac bringing back the bastardized GTO badge on their version of the Chevette back in the '70s (ok, so this goes the other direction!). They just aren't the same car at all.
"It won't stand out, either, but who ever bought an Acura to stand out?"
Ummm... try the people who bought the ORIGINAL NSX!!!
why not the LS2LS7? 12:40PM (6/28/2008)
When did the T1000 (or Acadian?) get a GTO badge?
Michael 7:29AM (6/29/2008)
Sorry, brain fart there. Meant to say "Le Mans" and I missed on the dates. It was actually the late '80s. Here's a link to the car:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daewoo_LeMans
Let's just say that the GTO lost any attraction for me when it moved to the "Ventura" and started competing in the "compact muscle car" category. Just... Not... The... Same...
RG 10:32AM (6/28/2008)
I think it looks fantastic.
I understand those people who say that this prototype doesn't have the supercar looks of the previous NSX, but I can certainly appreciate the looks of the car in more of a GT frame of mind like an Aston Martin. Who says that this car needs to carry on the theme of the NSX- a car that although revolutionary, was far from a good seller and towards the end of its life, was more of an albatross to Honda.
To me, this halo car makes a lot more sense for Honda. This platform will enable Honda to trickle down more technology than with a singular MR layout.
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