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Badged as an Acura in the US,
the new NSX, which is expected
to go on sale in the next three
years, will be developed by
Honda R&D Americas and
manufactured in Ohio but is
developed for true sports
driving enthusiasts throughout
the world.
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The
dynamically-styled NSX Concept gives an
indication of the next great performance vehicle
from Honda. Making use of lightweight materials
and a mid-mounted V-6 engine, the NSX Concept
employs several new technologies, including an
innovative new Sport Hybrid SH-AWD® (Super
Handling All Wheel Drive™) hybrid system. |
Speaking at the Detroit Motor
Show, Takanobu Ito, President
and CEO of Honda Motor Co., Ltd,
who led the development of
Honda’s first NSX supercar,
explained the values of the new
NSX, “Like the first NSX, we
will again express high
performance through engineering
efficiency. In this new era,
even as we focus on the fun to
drive spirit of the NSX, I think
a supercar must respond
positively to environmental
responsibilities.”
While most
supercars opt for brute force delivered from a
large engine, the NSX Concept champions the true
racing philosophy of an extremely favourable
power-to-weight ratio.
Utilising a unique 2 Electric Motor Drive Unit
with a bilateral torque adjustable control
system, the new hybrid all-wheel-drive system
can instantly generate negative or positive
torque to the front wheels during cornering,
which Honda anticipates will deliver handling
performance unmatched by previous AWD systems.
In addition to the handling benefits of the
Sport Hybrid SH-AWD® system, a powerful
next-generation VTEC® V-6 engine with
direct-injection, works in concert with a dual
clutch transmission with built-in electric
motor, to create supercar acceleration while
offering outstanding efficiency.
This Sport Hybrid SH-AWD system will make the
NSX the ultimate expression of, “the synergy
between man and machine,” added Ito. “The NSX
will make the driver one with the car to enhance
dynamic driving abilities without getting in the
way.”
In addition to the new NSX Concept, American
Honda also unveiled the Accord Coupe Concept,
providing the first glimpse of the styling
direction of the ninth-generation US Accord, set
to go on-sale in the US in autumn 2012. This
model is designed uniquely for the US market and
is not destined for Europe.
As the Acura brand enters its second 25 years as
Honda’s premium luxury-performance automobile
brand, a concept version of the Acura ILX luxury
compact sedan and a prototype of the 2013 RDX
crossover sports utility vehicle were also
unveiled.
The Acura ILX Concept is the precursor to an
all-new Acura luxury compact sedan scheduled for
launch in spring 2012. To be positioned as the
gateway to the Acura brand, the ILX will feature
three different powertrains, including Acura’s
first-ever petrol-electric hybrid. |
