The Honda NSX (Acura NSX in North America) is a sports car made by Honda. It has a mid-engine, rear-wheel drive layout, an all-aluminium body and chassis, a V6 engine (the C30A) that produces 216 kW (290 bhp) and 304 N·m (224 ft·lbf) of torque and a current price of US$ 90,000.
Honda has announced that the NSX will end production in 2005, 15 years after the first NSX was built. The last cars will be built in September for the European market and December for North America. Production is currently at just over 18,000 units.
Manufacture and release
At its release in 1991, the NSX took many in the car industry and elsewhere by surprise. It was the first time that a Japanese automaker had made a car to compete against the products of the traditional European exotic car manufacturers. Besides competing against these manufacturers the car was also intended to showcase Honda's racing technology, exemplified by the NSX's six titanium connecting rods.
Wheels magazine awarded the Honda NSX the 1991 Car of the Year award.
Despite the NSX's current age, it still has a strong base of fans and supporters. Honda and others describe the NSX as a supercar based on its styling, body type, drivetrain layout and handling. Some people have disagreed, claiming that the Honda NSX is not powerful enough. It does, however, still sport the highest per/liter specific output of any road going naturally aspirated V6 in the world.
On July 20, 2005, a mere several days after the announcement of the closure of current NSX production, Honda CEO Takeo Fukui announced that a new NSX was under development and would sport a Formula 1-inspired V10 motor. In addition, he stated it would be ready within 3-4 years.
Refinements and versions
Since its launch, the NSX has remained largely unchanged.
Honda produced a very limited number of NSX type R in 1992 for Japan. Major changes include a more aggressive suspension and a extensive weight reduction to 1230 kg from the normal NSX weight of 1350 kg. The NSX type R was very track oriented as it lacked sound deadening, audio, electric windows, and air conditioning in an effort to reduce weight.
In 1995 the NSX-T was released with a targa top roof. Finally available on the manual transmission version NSX was the electric power steering previously only available in the automatic version.
1997 brought the biggest changes to the performance of the current generation NSX. For 1997 engine displacement increased from 3.0 liters to 3.2. This new L C32A engine gave it slightly more rated power. This improved horsepower from 270 hp to 290 hp while torque increased from 210 to 224 ft·lbf (manual transmission only). Another big change was the change from a 5-speed transmission to the current 6-speed manual. On the dragstrip, the new NSX rang up better numbers than the horsepower and torque improvements may suggest over previous model NSXs. Other notable changes include a brake rotor size increase from 15 inches to 16 inches. Non-performance changes included a new aluminum alloy to reduce weight and increase rigidity, and a transponder in the key.
Along with the engine enlargement in 1997, Japan received the NSX type S and NSX type S Zero, weighing in at 1320 kg and 1280 kg, respectively, and both with stiffer suspension than the normal NSX.
The biggest change for the NSX came in 2002 when it received a face-lift with fixed headlights and various other cosmetic refinements such as xenon headlights (see photo from LA Autoshow 2003). It also received a new 3.2 L C32B engine. The fixed roof NSX was dropped for the 2002 model year.
A second iteration of the type-R dubbed NSX-R was released in 2002 again exclusively in Japan. The NSX-R has a more aggressive rear spoiler and hood vent, along with various refinements to reduce weight to 1270 kg. Under the body, panels and air fences in the front, along with a small rear diffuser serve to produce balanced downforce. The subtle changes along with its renowned handling have kept NSX-R in contention on the track even against considerably higher-powered cars, such as the Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale, whose Nordschleife lap time it tied.
The type S continues with the face-lifted NSX keeping the weight at 1320 kg.
External links
- Honda NSX official website
- The Site Formerly Known as NSX.vtec.net
- NSX Prime : NSX FAQ
- NSX Prime : Forums
- Used Honda information
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