DETROIT AUTO SHOW: Is The Acura NSX Going To Be Able To Deliver A Knockout Punch Down The Road?

The dynamically-styled NSX Concept gives an indication of the next great performance vehicle from the Acura brand. Making use of lightweight materials and a mid-mounted V-6 engine, the NSX Concept employs several new technologies for Acura, including application of Acura's innovative new Sport Hybrid SH-AWD® (Super Handling All Wheel Drive™) hybrid system.

Utilizing a unique 2 Electric Motor Drive Unit with a Bilateral Torque Adjustable Control System, the all-new hybrid all-wheel-drive system can instantly generate negative or positive torque to the front wheels during cornering. Acura anticipates the new Sport Hybrid SH-AWD® 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 NSX the ultimate expression of Acura's idea to create synergy between man and machine," said Takanobu Ito, president and CEO of Honda Motor Co., Ltd. "The NSX will make the driver one with the car to enhance dynamic driving abilities without getting in the way."

While most supercars opt for brute force delivered from a large engine, the NSX Concept champions the true racing philosophy of an extremely favorable power-to-weight ratio.
"Like the first NSX, we will again express high performance through engineering efficiency," added Ito, who led the development of Acura's first NSX supercar. "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."

The new Acura supercar, expected to debut in the next three years, will be developed by an engineering team led by Honda R&D Americas, Inc., and manufactured in Ohio, at a yet to be named facility.

Designer1 - 1/9/2012 4:24:31 PM

-5 Boost

It looks like the R8, it looks nice, but I don't believe they STILL have the ugly grill wow!! What the hell is wrong with these people??

Joe_Limon - 1/9/2012 4:41:10 PM

+4 Boost

lol it looks like an r8? is that a joke? That's like saying the cts-v looks like an a6, one is designed with hard lines, whilst the other follows more round philosophy.

On another note, being able to apply negative torque with the electric drive motors sounds suspiciously like applying the brakes.

Is this form of SH-AWD have the rear wheels driven conventionally and the front via electric motors? If so, it sounds like a not very symmetric setup with limited torque vectoring capabilities.

Krishnen - 1/10/2012 12:48:20 AM

+3 Boost

@Designer1
I think it looks closer to the new VW Beetle than the R8.
The similarities are obvious:
- 2 doors, just like the VW Beetle
- 4 tires mounted on 4 wheels, just like the VW Beetle
- 2 headlights, each positioned on the front left & right of the vehicle, just like the VW Beetle
- Both have a front windscreen

Talk about a coincidence??? I don't think so.
I think VW should file for copyright violation...

NSXR - 1/10/2012 12:24:00 AM

+3 Boost

I'm just happy they are finally building it! My 91 has 220k miles on it, 153k of it being supercharged...still runs like a Honda!

recca7 - 1/9/2012 5:19:42 PM

-1 Boost

i would expect the concept to look better than that because the production version usually doesn't look as nice. With looks like that you're not competing with super cars..there was another site with a shot of it from the side, and that looks even more bland. This shot isn't too bad but it also doesn't blow my mind...they really need a new head designer

IhavearedS2000 - 1/9/2012 6:12:14 PM

+3 Boost

The car look great, somewhat derivative...would be nice to see some more NSX cues (black canopy, floating rear spoiler, etc). But this is a whole lot better than the front engined, v10 concept they showed a few years back - that thing was a porkier...

Tech-wise I think this car will push the envelope, just like the original NSX did.

Lemon: the negative torque vectoring is BETTER than applying the brakes. From what i have read, the front will be powered by electric motors and the rear will be powered by both electric motor and gas engine - all wheels will have torque vectoring...a month ago the press drove something similar and they were impressed...

JUGNU - 1/9/2012 6:25:08 PM

+5 Boost

Looks very nice, better than expected. Love the rear end styling.

IhavearedS2000 - 1/9/2012 7:55:38 PM

+1 Boost

Check this out: Grand Turismo 5

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzaynkoC04k&feature=youtu.be