Undead: Will Acura show NSX in Detroit even after killing it off?
by Sam Abuelsamid on Dec 31st 2008 at 9:29AM 
Just two weeks after we learned that Honda had suspended plans to introduce a new V10 NSX sports car in 2010 comes word that we may see the car anyway. Sort of. The production program is still dead, but it is being reported that the previously scheduled "concept" will appear at Detroit's North American International Auto Show in a couple of weeks.
In typical Honda fashion, a concept version of a new model appears a few months for the street edition. In this case, the NSX was set to debut next fall at the Tokyo Motor Show with the conceptual preview at the Detroit auto show. Since the concept was already prepared before Honda made the decision to scrap the program, they will show it anyway. Honda's presence in Cobo will still be low-key however, with its press conference having been canceled. The NSX and the production Insight will simply appear on the show floor.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Stumpy 9:36AM (12/31/2008)
Acura... you tease...
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BigMcLargeHuge 9:52AM (12/31/2008)
Maybe the NSX concept was what they were styling all the other cars in the range with. In which case, we'll have our scapegoat for the disaster currently known as Acura.
Kinda like Subaru used the B11S as the concept for the tri-plane grilles, even though it was never intended for production.
Even if the NSX concept had the largest shield ever mounted on a car, its still sad that Honda doesn't want to play supercar.
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bob 12:27PM (12/31/2008)
ahahahahah!! LOL'ing @ "the largest shield ever mounted on a car" :D
Kumail 9:53AM (12/31/2008)
if they do show it, it will be to see the reaction, to see if people would be willing to buy the car or not. well, that's what i think anyway...
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BigMcLargeHuge 10:06AM (12/31/2008)
I'm going to miss the show by a week traveling to Detroit. Maybe I can work it out so I can go and shout at the Acura booth
"build it!"
Gotta do my part to populate the world with more cars I can't afford...
Other Man 5:52PM (12/31/2008)
I agree. I think they're at the point where they would've stopped the project, but they've spent so much already that it's almost silly ... yet it's silly to sell a car they won't sell, so they're going to toy with the public to see what it could generate and go from there.
Hope they build it.
Hamhock 10:05AM (12/31/2008)
The formula for the NSX should be quite simple really...
Take 2 (two) S2000 engines, join them at the crak at approx 90 degrees, turn sideways, and put midships in a targa topped car the size of a Porsche Cayman...oh, and please hold the 'distinctive japanese styling' smooth, curvy lines please.
Price at $80k and watch the dealers first mark to $125 but then, like the GTR, when reality sets in, you will be able to buy (another) japanese supercar that spanks Europe's best for under $100k (and not have to wait 18months)
Why do they make it so difficult?
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sam 1:16PM (12/31/2008)
its a little more difficult than slapping 2 engines together. i could be wrong but isnt 72 degrees not 90. you now have more rotational mass with the crank with extra 4 cylinders. balancing isnt exactly that easy if you want high rpm like honda does.
Richard 10:27AM (12/31/2008)
The press release (albeit translated from the Japanese) of the NSX cancellation stated "The development of the NSX successor model equipped with V10 engine will be cancelled."
(see: http://world.honda.com/news/2008/c081217Year-End-CEO-Speech)
So no definitely no V10, but does that leave V8?
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BigMcLargeHuge 11:13AM (12/31/2008)
Hopefully it won't be 2015 before the V8 is ready.
I wouldn't mind if this car had an N/A V6. Even if its front-engined, at least one item would be a holdover from the old NSX.
They could easily get 350-400hp from a 3.7L. It would be more M3-territory instead of 911 Turbo territory, but price it accordingly and keep the weight down and I think it would be a good halo car for Acura.
mmstowes 11:43AM (12/31/2008)
Makes sense, but the only V8 they'd use would be whatever was going in the RL, which doesn't seem so sure-footed these days with them focusing on fuel efficiency and emissions. Maybe a hybrid V8?
This is interesting.
IK 11:09AM (12/31/2008)
as a big fan of the NSX, i'm glad they killed off this abomination
honda needs to sober up and go back to being an awesome car manufacturer again
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steve 11:15AM (12/31/2008)
they spend millions and millions developing one of the most anticipated supercars in modern history ... and then scrap plans to produce it ... and then decide to SHOW IT OFF ???
thats CRUEL.
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hashiryu 3:35PM (12/31/2008)
Indeed, what a c@
ken_aisin 11:29AM (12/31/2008)
Glad they killed it, and please don't even bother showing it. Besides, this hideous thing doesn't deserve the NSX name.
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JDMlover 12:18PM (12/31/2008)
Im losing faith in this car and the LF-A.
If both cars come to be...they will cause a BIG upset ;)
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Joce03 7:49PM (12/31/2008)
Does anyone know the reasoning behind going from mid-engine to front-engine with the NSX?
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Affalterbach 2:17AM (1/01/2009)
Because its never supposed to be the NSX.
It was supposed to be the 'spiritual successor' to the NSX. Unfortunately, the press caught on with the idea that it was going to be badged the NSX, and result is for you to see.
Joce03 7:01AM (1/01/2009)
Interesting. Thanks.