Honda President Reportedly Confirms NSX Successor based on the HSV Racer

According to reports from Japan, Honda President Takanobu Ito has stated that the company is has restarted development on a high-performance sports car that will be positioned as the successor of the critically acclaimed NSX. The announcement was made on Friday, at a press conference detailing Honda’s 2011 motorsport involvement.

Mr. Takanobu said that the new model would be based on the HSV-010GT racecar, introduced in January. However, it’s unclear if it will use the same naturally aspirated 3.4-liter V8 engine, capable of more than 500-horsepower and over 392 Nm (289 lb-ft) of torque, or another powerplant.

By developing a street legal version of the Super GT competition model, Honda will respect an unwritten rule of the series, according to which all participating automakers have both a race and street legal version of a given nameplate.

“I think Honda should respect the history of the Super GT competition (as a stock-car race)”, Ito said.

Last but not least, the company official also talked about an affordable, small sports car, which could follow the NSX replacement.

“There are two types of sports cars--affordable and high-performance. I hope we will be able to market both”, he added.

By Csaba Daradics

Source: Asahi

*Note: Honda HSV-010GT race car featured in the gallery

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Honda to Debut CR-Z TS-1X Concept at this week's Tokyo Auto Salon

With the conclusion of the press days of the 2011 Detroit Motor Show, the automotive world is now shifting its focus on the Tokyo Auto Salon 2011, which will be held from Friday, January 14, to Sunday, January 16, at the Makuhari Messe in Chiba, Japan.

At this year's event, Honda will be presenting several vehicles including the TS-1X concept study based on the CR-Z hybrid. The prototype model is the work of Honda Access Corporation, the Japanese carmaker's in-house aftermarket division.

Honda has not revealed any information on the concept model, but from the single photo it did release, we can see that the TS-1X is finished in a matt black paintjob and is fitted with a full body kit comprising of front and rear bumpers, beefy side skirts and a large rear wing that appears to extend on the CR-Z's sides.

Other Honda products to be displayed at Honda's stand include a variety of customized vehicles such as the Sports Modulo NSX, Freed Spike caravan car, the Acty Truck and the Enepo generator special coloring editions, plus several racing models like the HSV-010 GT, which won both the driver and team titles for the Super GT Series GT500-class races.

Our man Phil has already landed in Japan and will be covering the show live so stay tuned on Carscoop for more news on the Tokyo Auto Salon.

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Honda NSX II Test-Mule Spotted In Nurburgring

Despite what you may think, what you’re looking at the above photo isn’t some sort of a long-wheel base S2000 but, according to the Swedish edition of AMS, a test mule for Honda’s second generation NSX supercar. Caught in action lapping the Nordschleife in Germany, the test car allegedly wears a front mounted V10 engine powering all four wheels -the first generation NSX had a mid-engine (V6), rear-wheel drive layout. As for looks, according to our information, Honda will present a near-to-production concept at this year’s Tokyo Motor Show in October heavily based on the 2007 NAIAS prototype, Acura “Advanced Sports Car Concept” (pics below). Via: AMS

Technorati: Honda, Honda+NSX, cars, autos, vehicles

Honda NSX: Europe’s Largest NSX Gathering At Castle Combe, UK

Saying largest, don’t go thinking any outrageous numbers; in all, 43 NSX’s were brought together at last weekend’s JapFest show at Castle Combe in the UK. James Taylor, from the online-based NSX Club Britain, said: "This was our first ever stand at a large event and everyone was blown away by the sheer number of cars that turned up. Some people had traveled all the way down from Scotland and Northern Ireland to be there."

Honda’s UK arm contributed to the pack of NSXs with its own, rare version of the car; a G-plate NSX, registered in 1990, which is thought to be the second NSX ever brought to the UK. However, the specific car’s most important claim is that it was once driven by the one and only, Ayrton Senna on a visit to Honda UK. -Continued: Click “Read More…” below

FAQs

The NSX made its debut in 1990 as a genuine mid-engine sports car with an all-aluminium monocoque body – a world’s first for a production vehicle at the time. The NSX continued to evolve, with performance improvements including increased displacement, a 6-speed manual transmission, enhanced aerodynamic performance, and different tyre sizes, along with the addition of the NSX-T open-top model and the NSX-R sports model with further enhanced driving performance. One of the first true sports cars to adopt clean emissions measures, the NSX succeeded in combining exhilarating driving performance with superior environmental performance. As a result, the NSX achieved total worldwide sales of over 18,000 units during the 15 years it was in production.

The History of the NSX

• Feb. 1989 NS-X mid-engine sports car prototype introduced at the Chicago Auto Show
• Oct. 1989 NS-X exhibited at the Tokyo Motor Show
• Aug. 1990 Acura NSX went on sale in the US
• Sept. 1990 NSX went on sale in Japan
• 1991 “Owners’ Meetings”, designed to enhance driving skills, inaugurated
• Jan. 1992 Custom order interior and body colour plan introduced; its range later expanded.
• Nov. 1992 Pure sports model Type-R added to the line-up
• Feb. 1993 Minor model change (addition of passenger-side SRS airbags, other enhanced equipment)
• 1993 “Refresh Plan” introduced as premium service for maturing vehicles
• Feb. 1994 Minor model change (16/17-inch aluminium wheels, reinforced brake pads)
• Mar. 1995 Minor model change (Drive-By-Wire electronic control, F-Matic manual-feel automatic transmission, open-top Type-T added to line-up)
• Feb. 1997 Minor model change (3.2-litre manual transmission model, 6-speed manual transmission, introduction of Type-S)
• Sept. 1999 Minor model change (reduced exhaust emissions, enhanced equipment)
• Dec. 2001 Minor model change (exterior design changes, 17-inch tyres front and back)
• May 2002 New NSX Type-R model introduced
• Oct. 2003 Minor model change (Immobiliser, new body colours)
• Sept. 2005 Production of European model ends

Technorati: Honda, Honda+NS-X, cars, Carscoop, blogs, automotive, vehicles

Acura / Honda NSX “mini-me”: NATS MINI-SX

The Tokyo Auto Salon (12 to 14 January) isn’t only about supped up Nismo 350Zs and Streams. It’s also about those weird Japanese modifiers like the people working at NAT’s (Nihon Automotive College) who took an early 90’s Honda Beat and turned it into “mini-me” version of the Acura / Honda NSX!

Apart from its looks, the MINI-SX has a mid-engine rear-wheel drive layout just like the NSX. However, that’s about all the similarities between the two Hondas as the Beat was equipped with a teeny-weenie 0.65-litre 3cylinder engine producing 64Hp. Via: WindingRoad

Detroit Auto Show: Acura "Advanced Sports Car Concept"

I know what you first question is so let’s get straight to the point: Yes, the Acura “Advanced Sports Car Concept” does preview the next generation Acura / Honda NSX that according to our information will debut this autumn at the Tokyo Motor Show. While design-wise the production version will definitely be toned down in comparison with the concept we’re seeing here, NSX's succesor will maintain the ASCC’s powertrain layout.

Thus meaning, out goes the mid-engine (V6), rear-wheel drive layout of the previous NSX, in comes a front-mounted V10 engine and a rear-wheel-drive based version of Acura's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD). So I guess no “cheap” Ferrari thrills here? Well, think of it this way: forget the F430 and think 599 GTB Fiorano. The latter not only has a front-mounted engine layout but Ferrari is also developing a 4WD system for it in the near future.-Continued: Click “Read More…” below to see the official press release and a high-res gallery

Press Release: Created to take exotic sports car styling to a new level, the concept is designed to incorporate a powerful front-mounted, V-10 engine and a new high-performance, rear-wheel-drive based version of Acura's exclusive Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD). The concept's exterior demonstrates a dynamic fusion of advanced technology and emotion. The long, pronounced hood features deeply sculpted lines and embossed air vents, both of which hint at the powerful engine beneath. The exterior lines run the length of the body, creating a ribbon-like effect from the front headlights to the rear wheel arches, evoking a feeling of movement and power.

Although modern in its appearance, the Advanced Sports Car Concept retains the subtle cues associated with its predecessor, the NSX. The concept's slim, LED headlights are pushed wide and designed to mimic the pop-up headlights found on the first generation NSX. Other styling hints include a modern take on wraparound rear taillights and the all black cockpit. Wide and low to the ground with a 108.8 inch wheelbase, the concept is anchored by grippy 19 inch front and 20 inch rear performance tires which are mounted to custom billet-machined, polished aluminum wheels. Powerful, ventilated carbon ceramic brake discs and eight-piston calipers accent the wheels. Bold wheel arches and flares add to the concept's aggressive appearance.

The low slung cabin is constructed entirely of tinted glass and sits flush against the body. Door handles are also flush mounted, allowing the sports car to retain a clean and aerodynamic appearance. The Advanced Sports Car Concept features a carbon fiber underbody and the rear is finished with aggressive quad exhaust pipes and integrated rear diffusers, further communicating its high performance potential.

Technorati: Acura+Advanced+Sports+Car+Concept, Honda+NSX, Acura+NSX, auto+news, car+news, automobile, cars, automotive, vehicles, Carscoop, blogs, 2007, pictures, images, Detroit+Auto+Show, NAIAS