Next Honda NSX could be dubbed "Super Hybrid Sports"
Even though it's been going on for more than two years now, the tale of the Acura NSX is like a news story that just broke: you have to keep checking back for details, and each subsequent update could turn the whole story on its head. The V10 NSX that was going to own the sports car gods on Mt. Olympus was killed, and a rumored newly resurrected NSX is said to be a V6 hybrid that will challenge Toyota's own will-they/won't-they FT-HS/Supra.
Whereas Toyota's entry is reported to put out 400 horsepower to the rear wheels, the NSX will reportedly get about 450 horses going to all four wheels via Acura's SH-AWD system. Dubbed the "Super Hybrid Sports," sources claim it will be built on the same steel platform as the next generation Acura RL.
While this speculation sounds like an interesting car – at least, until the next update comes along – it is a redefinition of what NSX means to us and could take a while to get used to. And if Acura is truly intent on becoming a top shelf luxury maker, we can't help but find it a bit quizzical that they're taking their flagship sports car brand downmarket to compete with a Toyota Supra.
[Source: 7Tune]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
J Who 2:07PM (7/21/2009)
Hang around 5 minutes. They'll cancel it again...
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usingthelou 2:07PM (7/21/2009)
I don't believe they are bringing it back... STOP TEASING US AND JUST MAKE IT OR NOT!
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Nicolas 2:09PM (7/21/2009)
By the NSX's own heritage, the next-gen has to measure up to Nissan's GT-R, and Toyota's LF-A ..
Not the Supra
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zamafir 2:16PM (7/21/2009)
Agreed, and should be mid engined, lots cheaper than the F430, even the R8.
But it's not going to be. So honda should drop the NSX notion and brand it something new and be proud of their new direction.
Red 2:22PM (7/21/2009)
Technically by the NSX's own heritage it should be going against the Ferrari F450. The Supra and GT-R were even on the NSX's radar during development and the Lexus brand was still in the planning stages.
I'm nitpicking, of course :-P
SimbaDogg 12:50AM (7/23/2009)
Mmm...i swear, lately honda (and especially acura) has been in a creative nose dive, just bomb after bomb. The new president, Ito, instead of correcting it, seems to be throwing out every single parachute on board. If this is a decision he made, then i officially want to kill the man (along w/ his stance that F1 is a waste of time, and a v8 and RWD are overrated in the premium lux car world). Idiot.
Red 2:14PM (7/21/2009)
If this turns out to be true, I will retract my previous statements about Honda and will officially go on record to say that many MANY people spoke too soon.
Maybe this whole Hybrid thing isn't so bad...
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naggs 3:22PM (7/21/2009)
a hybrid awd acura RL sounds like it will weigh 4000 lbs +
nothing interesting to see here folks, move along
RG 2:11PM (7/21/2009)
That's fine, just don't call it an NSX. Call it the HSC, its perfect, it's got the H in there for "Hybrid" and everything!!!
Hybrid Sports Coupe, BAM!
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Lucas 2:11PM (7/21/2009)
The Honda Super-Fantastic Garage Tease
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Level 2:13PM (7/21/2009)
Im not a fanboy but im pretty sure they Toyota-Lexus/Acura are thinking twice about bringing their sports car to reality because their performance numbers wont be able to justify the price tag they will come with..Specially when compared to the performance numbers of the Nissan GT-R...It would be a tough sell...So yeah I def see them going hybrid route to justify their drawbacks of how they don't perform like the mainstream performance cars out in the market now....
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simracer 2:14PM (7/21/2009)
Agreed, give it a different name.
Even still, is it so much the case of Honda taking the NSX downmarket to play with the Supra or has Toyota brought the Supra up?
Better yet, it's all moot if Honda creates another nice, but totally unemotional and overpriced sports coupe that no one wants to buy.
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jinsei888 2:15PM (7/21/2009)
Super High Stance
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Rossi 2:25PM (7/21/2009)
Spec:
450 hp
50 ft. lbs. torque
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JDM Life 10:42PM (7/21/2009)
LOL
airchompers 1:12AM (7/22/2009)
450 hp @ 47,000 rpm?
Coolio 2:26PM (7/21/2009)
The ZR1 will eat this thing alive. Period.
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Randy915 10:19PM (7/21/2009)
Funny stuff, you gonna be here the rest of the week?
JDM Life 10:44PM (7/21/2009)
Hard to disagree. Ive seen Zr1 destruction before...
No honda scares me....but the ZR1...damn
BoxerFanatic 2:28PM (7/21/2009)
V10... why? Why are manufacturers enamored with an engine with a cylinder count not divisible by 3(evenly divisible into 360-degrees) or 4... (4-stroke cycle)
if a force-fed V6, or a V8 isn't enough, why not an inherently balanced, modest-displacement V12 that has better inherent firing order and balance than a V10?
Front engined... Nix the NSX reference. NSX 'IS' mid-engined.
On again, off again. call me when they show a concept.
HSC concept was bland, nearly to the point of ugly, where NSX was hot, if a little bit big in the back end.
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