New Honda NSX Confirmed – Arriving in 2013

After months of speculation, Honda has finally confirmed that the company will resurrect the famed Honda NSX. A concept of the hybrid two-seater supercar will be unveiled at next month’s Detroit Motor Show.

The NSX will take on its Japanese rival, the Lexus LF-A in the supercar race. The new NSX will however, have a very different approach, adopting a specially tuned version of the hybrid ‘Electric Super Handling All-Wheel-Drive’ system that the company utilises in mainstream models such as the Honda Legend and MDX SUV.
According to Gary Evert, head of Honda’s US R&D operations, the goal is the “optimisation of styling, performance and efficiency”.

The upcoming basic Electric Super Handling All-Wheel-Drive system for the Legend and MDX models will feature a front mounted 3.5-litre direct-injection V6 engine producing 310bhp (228kW). It is paired with a 40bhp (29kW) electric motor that will drive the front axle through a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission – a first for the company. The rear axle will, in turn, feature twin 27bhp (20kW) electric motors, one driving each wheel.

This layout is known as a ‘through-the-road-hybrid’, as no direct mechanical link exists between the front and rear axles. With separate motors driving each rear wheel, the torque to those wheels can be varied depending upon factors such as road conditions or when entering a corner. In such an instance, torque can be increased to the outer wheel to help steer the vehicle through a turn.

Honda’s engineers indicated that in the NSX, the E-SH-AWD drivetrain will effectively be reversed, with the V6 engine mounted mid-ship and powering the rear wheels, while the twin electric motors mounted up front.

As expected, the company is tight lipped about specific power and torque outputs at this stage, but it is likely that the system will produce significantly more power compared to the Legend and MDX.

The production NSX will also be constructed of light weight materials such as aluminium and carbon fibre reinforced plastics to keep weight low.

The concept vehicle heading to Detroit will be lower and wider than the original NSX – which had a height of 1171mm and a width of 1811mm. Length appears to be roughly the same as the 1991 model, measuring in at 4404mm, with a 2523mm wheelbase.

When the supercar hits showroom around mid 2013, it will likely wear the Acura badge, which is Honda’s luxury brand, currently limited to the American market. The concept car headed to Detroit will wear a low mounted front bumper, featuring Acura’s shield grille. It will also come with distinctive 5-LED headlamps. It gives the car a futuristic look.

The new NSX will still carry subtle design elements of the original car. The overall stance though is lower and more planted.

Source: Autocar