Behold the paradigm shift – Acura NSX
Twenty-five years after the debut of the original, paradigm-shifting NSX supercar, Acura revealed the production version of its highly anticipated successor the next generation Acura NSX, developed and produced in the US - to the world’s auto media at the 2015 North American International Auto Show.
Specifically created to bring a “new sports experience” to the supercar segment. The approach is realised through an all-new twin-turbocharged 75-degree DOHC V6 engine with a nine-speed dual clutch transmission (DCT) and three-electric motor sport hybrid system integrated with an ultrarigid and lightweight multimaterial body with world’s first material applications and manufacturing processes.
Developed under the concept of a “human-centred supercar,” a car that puts the driver first in every aspect of its design, the next generation NSX will leverage its state-of-the-art hybrid supercar power unit, body and chassis to deliver exceptionally intuitive and immediate response to driver inputs.
Mike Accavitti, senior vice-president and general manager of the Acura division, said, “The soul of a car is the emotional connection it makes with the driver. With the NSX, that connection will be intense and immediate.”
The NSX body features classic low and wide proportions married to modern and alluring surfacing, an aggressive front design, and tail lights that pay homage to the original NSX. Every element of the exterior body design has been carefully fashioned for total airflow management for both stability enhancing downforce and vehicle systems cooling.
“Consistent with the ‘human-centred supercar’ development concept, the NSX was designed from the inside out with an uncompromising focus on the driver,” said Johnathan Norman, NSX interior-design project leader. “Like the original NSX, we created a ‘human-support cockpit’ that provides exceptional driver control, visibility and packaging, but further advanced to meet the extreme performance expectations of a modern supercar.”
At the heart of the NSX’s performance capabilities is an all-new mid-mounted, DOHC V6 engine with twin turbochargers mated to an Acura-developed nine-speed DCT. The all-new nine-speed DCT delivers synapse-quick gear changes and rev-matching downshifts.
The NSX uses its front electric motors for dynamic torque vectoring in addition to enhancing acceleration and braking performance. The result is an instantaneous “zero delay” launch performance and handling response that seems to anticipate the driver’s desire.
The NSX features an “advanced sports package” with placement of key powertrain components – the mid-mounted engine, twin front motors and sport hybrid battery pack and power control unit – optimised to concentrate vehicle mass low and toward the centre of the vehicle, to further enhance dynamic response.
