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Honda NSX

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(Redirected from Acura NSX)
"Acura NSX" redirects here. For other uses, see NSX (disambiguation).

Honda NSX
Honda NSX (first generation)
Overview
ManufacturerHonda
Also calledAcura NSX (North America)
Production1990–2005
2016–2022
Model years1991–2005
2017–2023
Body and chassis
ClassSports car (S)

The Honda NSX, marketed in North America as the Acura NSX, is a two-seater, rear mid-engined, rear-wheel drive sports car manufactured by Honda.[1]

The origins of the NSX trace back to 1984, with the HP-X (Honda Pininfarina eXperimental) concept,[2] for a 3.0 L (180 cu in) V6 rear mid-engine, rear-wheel drive sports car. Honda, with the intention of meeting or exceeding the performance of the then V8 engine Ferrari range, committed to the project, aiming at both reliability and a lower price. The concept evolved and had its name changed to NS-X, which stood for "New", "Sportscar" "eXperimental",[3] although the production model was launched as the NSX.

Gordon Murray, the designer of the McLaren F1 supercar,[4] stated that he used the NSX as the inspiration after test driving many high-performance cars and finding that the NSX chassis performed the best. Murray found the design was "monumental" for sportscar design. He claimed the car could "easily" have handled more power and attempted to convince Honda to develop a more powerful engine, but Honda declined. This resulted in Murray developing his F1 with a BMW engine, but he was so fond of the NSX that he bought one for personal use - and drove it for 75,000 kilometres (47,000 mi). Murray said the NSX was "dear to his heart".[5]

First generation (NA1/2; 1990–2005)

[edit]
Main article: Honda NSX (first generation)
Honda NSX, pre-facelift

The NSX was designed by a team led by Chief Designer Masahito Nakano and Executive Chief Engineer Shigeru Uehara. It benefited from advanced aerodynamics and styling inspired by the F-16 fighter jet cockpit[6] as well as input, during the final development stages, from Formula One World Champion Ayrton Senna.

The NSX was the first general production car to feature an all-aluminium semi-monocoque.[7] It was powered by an all-aluminium 3.0 L V6 engine, which featured Honda's VTEC (Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control) system developed in the 1980s, a 5-speed manual transmission, or starting in 1994 the SportShift 4-speed automatic transmission, also known as F-Matic, which allows the option of conventional automatic shifting or manually shifting with a fingertip shift lever on the steering column.[8][9]

The car was presented at the 1989 Chicago Auto Show. Production started in a purpose-made factory in Japan,[citation needed] for sale from 1990. It was originally available as a coupé, then, from 1995 onwards, as a targa top. It underwent a performance upgrade in 1997, which saw the arrival of a larger 3.2 L V6 engine,[10] and a facelift in 2002 where the pop-up headlights were removed. The first-generation NSX was discontinued in 2005. North American models were sold as the Acura NSX.

Cars with the 3.0 L C30A engine are referred to as NA1 models, while the 3.2 L C32B engine cars are known as NA2 models.[11]

North American sales figures

[edit]
Year USA[12] Canada[13]
1990 1,119 156
1991 1,940 253
1992 1,154 91
1993 652 64
1994 533 31
1995 884 38
1996 460 16
1997 415 13
1998 303 10
1999 238 5
2000 221 6
2001 182 4
2002 233 3
2003 221 2
2004 178 6
2005 206 1
2006 58 2
2007 2 0

Second generation (NC1; 2016–2022)

[edit]
Main article: Honda NSX (second generation)
Honda NSX
Acura NSX

In December 2007, Acura announced plans to launch a NSX successor by 2010, based on the styling of the front V10-engined Acura ASCC (Advanced Sports Car Concept).[14] Despite prototypes being tested for production, Honda announced, just one year later, that production plans had been canceled due to "poor economic conditions."[15] Instead, in March 2010, Honda unveiled the HSV-010 GT that participated in the Japanese Super GT Championship. The HSV-010 GT never reached production as a street-legal car.

Reports that Honda was again developing a successor to the NSX re-emerged in April 2011.[16] By December 2011, Honda officially announced a second-generation NSX concept, which was unveiled the following month at the 2012 North American International Auto Show as the Acura NSX Concept.

The production model was displayed three years later at the 2015 North American International Auto Show, for and was released for sale in 2016.

Although the original name was retained, this time it was defined as "New Sports eXperience".[17] Unlike the first-generation NSX which was manufactured in Japan, the second-generation NSX was designed and engineered in Marysville, Ohio, at Honda's plant, led by Chief Engineer Ted Klaus.

The second-generation NSX has a hybrid electric powertrain, with a 3.5 L twin-turbocharged V6 engine and three electric motors, two of which form part of the SH-AWD (Super Handling-All Wheel Drive) drivetrain, altogether capable of 573 hp (427 kW; 581 PS). The transmission is a 9-speed dual-clutch automatic. The car's body utilizes a space frame design, which is made from aluminum, ultra-high-strength steel, and other rigid and lightweight materials, some of which are the world's first applications.

The first production vehicle with VIN #001 was auctioned off by Barrett Jackson on 29 January 2016.[18] NASCAR team owner Rick Hendrick won the auction with a bid for US$1,200,000. The entire bid was donated to the charities Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation and Camp Southern Ground.[19][20][21][22][23]

The first NSX rolled off the production line in Ohio on 27 May 2016 and Hendrick was there to drive it off.[24][25][26][27][28] The first sales of the second-generation NSX in the US were registered in June 2016.

The NSX Type S was revealed on August 12, 2021, with an increase to 602 hp. The Type S is the last update before the November 2022 discontinuation. 300 units only of the NSX Type S were destined for the United States, with 30 units for Japan, and 15 units for Canada.[29]

U.S. and European sales figures

[edit]
Year USA[30] Europe[31]
2016 269 0
2017 581 126
2018 170 45
2019 238 36
2020 128 8
2021 124 3

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Acura NSX Prices, Reviews, and Pictures | Edmunds". Edmunds.com. 1 October 2019.
  2. ^ "Honda HP-X". History and Models – Pininfarina Models. Pininfarina. Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 5 September 2007.
  3. ^ "The NSX". Honda. Retrieved 13 January 2015.
  4. ^ "The McLaren F1 redefined the very concept of the supercar when it was launched in 1993. Its spiritual successor, the P1, would do the same 20 years later". McLaren. Retrieved 28 March 2024.
  5. ^ "Honda - The Power of Dreams".
  6. ^ "Honda Worldwide | July 12, 2005 "Honda to Discontinue Production of the NSX Sports Car"". World.honda.com. July 12, 2005. Archived from the original on April 13, 2011. Retrieved October 3, 2010.
  7. ^ "Honda NSX". Auto, Motor und Sport (in German). Retrieved 28 March 2024.
  8. ^ "1995 Acura NSX/NSX-T -- Powertrain". hondanews.com. Archived from the original on 5 September 2018. Retrieved 4 September 2018.
  9. ^ Neve, Esther (14 March 2016). "Buying guide: the original Honda NSX". Top Gear. Retrieved 23 November 2018.
  10. ^ "Acura (Honda) Workshop Service and Repair Manuals > NSX V6-3.2L DOHC (VTEC) (1997) > Relays and Modules > Relays and Modules - Accessories and Optional Equipment > Alarm Module, (Vehicle Antitheft) > Component Information > Locations". workshop-manuals.com. Retrieved 9 June 2023.
  11. ^ "NSX VIN information". Retrieved 9 June 2023.
  12. ^ US NSX Sales Archived 28 August 2021 at the Wayback Machine
  13. ^ Canada NSX Sales Archived 28 August 2021 at the Wayback Machine
  14. ^ Spinelli, Mike (8 January 2007). "Detroit Auto Show: Acura Advanced Sports Car Concept". Jalopnik. Gawker Media. Retrieved 28 March 2024.
  15. ^ Aziz, Nick (17 December 2008). "Acura NSX Cancelled; Honda Slashes Forecast". LeftLane News. MNM Media, LLC. Archived from the original on 7 August 2018. Retrieved 17 December 2008.
  16. ^ Holmes, Jake (25 April 2011). "Revival, Part Deux: Honda President Dishes on New NSX Successor". Automobile. TEN: The Enthusiast Network. Archived from the original on 13 December 2013. Retrieved 25 April 2011.
  17. ^ Mukminin, Amirul (13 January 2015). "2016 Honda NSX Shown in Production Form at NAIAS". wemotor.com. Archived from the original on 13 April 2019. Retrieved 25 January 2016.
  18. ^ "Barrett-Jackson yo Auction 2017 Acura NSX VIN #001 for Charity at 45th Anniversary Scottsdale Auction". Barrett-Jackson. 18 December 2015. Retrieved 26 February 2016.
  19. ^ Acoba, Paulo (29 January 2016). "First 2017 Acura NSX Sells for $1.2 Million at Barrett-Jackson". Art of Gears. Retrieved 28 March 2024.
  20. ^ Perkins, Chris (30 January 2016). "The First 2017 Acura NSX Sells for $1.2 Million at Auction". Road & Track. Retrieved 26 February 2016.
  21. ^ Vijayenthiran, Viknesh (30 January 2016). "First 2017 Acura NSX Sells for $1.2 Million at Charity Auction". Motor Authority. High Gear Media. Retrieved 26 February 2016.
  22. ^ McCants, Parks (20 January 2016). "2017 Acura NSX VIN #001 to be Auctioned for Charity January 29". TorqueNews.com. Hareyan Publishing. Retrieved 26 February 2016.
  23. ^ Taylor, James (2 February 2016). "First Production 2016 Honda NSX Sells for $1.2m". Car. Retrieved 26 February 2016.
  24. ^ "First 2017 Acura NSX rolls off the line (and it'll get Android Auto!)". Android Central. 26 May 2016. Archived from the original on 15 April 2019. Retrieved 28 May 2016.
  25. ^ "Honda Unleashes The First 2017 Acura NSX Supercar: Calm Yourselves, Autophiles". Tech Times. 27 May 2016. Retrieved 28 May 2016.
  26. ^ "2017 Acura NSX #001 is finally here | Autoblog Minute". Autoblog. Retrieved 28 May 2016.
  27. ^ "Honda rolls out first Acura NSX supercar in Ohio factory". USA TODAY. Retrieved 28 May 2016.
  28. ^ "Prepare yourselves: The first 2017 Acura NSX is out in the wild - Roadshow". Roadshow. Retrieved 28 May 2016.
  29. ^ V, Dave; erWerp (12 August 2021). "2022 Acura NSX Type S Sends Off the Second-Generation Sports Car with 600 HP". Car and Driver. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
  30. ^ "Acura NSX U.S Sales Figures". 29 October 2015.
  31. ^ "Honda NSX European sales figures". 29 January 2014.
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