Could The New NSX Become The FIRST Credible Threat To The BMW i8?

We’re only a week away from this year’s Detroit Auto Show and, amongst many other new cars, the highly anticipated second generation Acura NSX will have its official debut. We already know, more or less, what it’ll look like based on the near-production ready concept and various spy shots. But the question is: what will be the NSX’s most direct rival? The Ferrari 458 Italia successor? Lamborghini Huracan? Possibly, but we can think of something else that’ll be more in line with the new NSX in both technology and price: the BMW i8.
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TheSteve - 1/6/2015 5:35:32 PM

-1 Boost

Even if it gets similar track numbers, it won't be viewed by many as i8 competition. Acura simply doesn't have the brand recognition and prestige, and that doesn't happen overnight with a new car. I believe Acura would have been wiser to position the NSX II as competition for the 'Vette, and priced it accordingly. It would have had a winner, then!

As for styling, the profile looks strong (as seen in the article), but the front looks sort of Night Rider-ish crossed with typical Parrot Beaked Acura cues. The rear looks like a kit car: hastily thrown together without any design sense, and cheap.

MDarringer - 1/6/2015 7:25:38 PM

-3 Boost

And we would want to be a credible threat to a car that is a boutique car at best WHY?

The NSX needed to be aimed at the Stingray to be relevant. As is, it is automotive poo like the BMW Eclipse oops i8.

w222 - 1/7/2015 1:33:26 AM

+2 Boost

and the i8 is a performance car? when the i8 isn't breaking down on the test track and spontaneously combusting it's busy losing to its lesser bmw siblings in performance.

So should we pit the S class with the i8 because it's one of the most technologically advanced cars to date? Lets also include the new hydrogen based toyota in comparison since the price is similar and it's a technologically advanced car.
give me a break, compare apples to apples...

Sciros - 1/7/2015 12:03:29 PM

+2 Boost

I guess the question is, is anyone who is looking at a BMW i8 going to consider an NSX instead, and then make the switch?

Maybe. They are priced similarly enough. They both have street presence. They both are performant enough. (The Acura will be faster, but the i8 is more interesting overall.) Everyone here says they won't compete. I don't actually see why not. Sexy sports cars with new tech and an exotic profile and priced within reach of each other.

Darringer feels the Acura shouldn't have been trying to compete in the i8's price point in the first place. Maybe not. But I would hope that Honda is savvy enough to have decently accurate sales projections for this car. If it's not a volume seller like the C7, then maybe it's just positioned as a halo car whose tech trickles down to a more affordable sports car (AS IF!, I know, but it's possible down the road).