Rumored: Mini Acura NSX
09-21-12, 04:24 AM
#1
Lead Lap
Thread Starter
Rumored: Mini Acura NSX
While the stillborn, V-10-powered NSX was being developed, Honda was also working on a related and obscure project referred to internally as the Small NSX. At the time it was just 1 of several advanced R&D ideas sitting in the design room. Then the financial crisis hit, causing Honda to kill the NSX and shelve all other sports car projects. But Honda has since rebounded, and as we know, the NSX has been reborn as an all-wheel drive hybrid. Now we're hearing the Small NSX may be back on the drawing board as well.
While the words "Small NSX" may conjure up visions of a successor to the S2000, our inside source tells us this is not the case, and that it will look much like a shrunken version of the big-boy NSX, something along the lines of the car you see in this artist's impression. Our source also tells us that like the NSX, it will be equipped with a version of Honda's SH-AWD system.
Power will likely be provided by a turbocharged direct-injection engine. Honda currently has a number of engines that could fit the bill, including the 3.5-liter V-6, 2.4-liter I-4, and 2.0-liter I-4 already offered in several of its American-market products. Given Honda's America-focused development, overseas engines such as its 660cc and 1.0-liter mills are unlikely to be considered. Of the possible 3, the 2.4-liter is the most likely candidate. There's also the possibility that it will be fitted with some kind of hybrid drivetrain.
Our source also tells us the Small NSX will make use of a number of parts from the NSX to help recoup development costs. Given that both cars will be developed at Honda of America's R&D center in Ohio (we're told that in July Honda HQ assigned several of its top test drivers and engineers to the facility for a 5-year stint), it's a logical move. The NSX remains on track to return for the 2015 model year. If it's indeed green-lit, the Small NSX could follow a year or 2 afterward, before the drivers and engineers head home in 2017. Don't expect it to be a bargain sports car, however. Given the amount of DNA it's likely to share with the NSX, the Small NSX would likely cost between $50,000 and $60,000.
09-21-12, 07:02 AM
#7
There was a Honda press conference yesterday which included mention of a small convertible with strong vehicle dynamics.
This seems like a mini S2000 instead of a mini NSX though
Here is a link to a translation of the presentation.
http://world.honda.com/news/2012/c12...ech/index.html
This seems like a mini S2000 instead of a mini NSX though
Here is a link to a translation of the presentation.
http://world.honda.com/news/2012/c12...ech/index.html
Trending Topics
All Acura sources need to shut the hell up and actually produce something cause we been hearing it for over 10 years now.
09-21-12, 11:21 AM
#14
Breaking: New S2000 successor? Honda Confirms New Sports Roadster
Click here for more photos
There's a whole lot of news - but unfortunately, no pictures, coming out today from Honda's headquarters in Japan where the company's CEO Takanobu Ito outlined the product, technology and business developments through 2015.
Honda's CEO announced plans a new sports car: "In addition to the NSX, the next-generation super sports model, Honda will launch a new open-top sports car with strong vehicles dynamics which will go on sale in Japan 2014," said Ito.
While he did not disclose any other details, we have heard that the rear-wheel drive EV-STER pictured above may inspire the open-top model mentioned in his speech.
Honda's CEO announced plans a new sports car: "In addition to the NSX, the next-generation super sports model, Honda will launch a new open-top sports car with strong vehicles dynamics which will go on sale in Japan 2014," said Ito.
While he did not disclose any other details, we have heard that the rear-wheel drive EV-STER pictured above may inspire the open-top model mentioned in his speech.
09-21-12, 11:21 AM
#15
Honda Confirms New Open-Top Sports Car
In a speech addressing his company’s future plans, Honda CEO Takanobu Ito has confirmed development of a new open-top sports car. Ito said the new model will have a focus on “strong vehicles dynamics” and that it will go on sale in Japan in 2014.
There have been rumblings that Honda was planning a new sports car, including a report that a successor to the S2000 was being looked at. However, it is a comment made by Ito stating that the new sports car will be one of six new “mini-vehicle” models that are leading us to believe it will more likely be a production version of 2011’s EV-STER concept.
At the launch of the EV-STER at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show, Ito revealed that a small roadster with a similar design to the EV-STER could be launched in the near future, though instead of solely packing an all-electric drivetrain like the concept the production version would likely adopt a gasoline drivetrain as standard.
Ito pointed out during his latest speech that gasoline-powered vehicles remain the most widely used in the world, so development of internal combustion engines at Honda will continue.
The question now remains, will Honda revive the CRX badge for its new roadster?
Note, the new open-top sports car wasn’t the only performance model Ito announced during his speech. He also revealed that a new-generation of the Civic Type R based on the European Civic hatchback would be developed.
The new car, which we’ve already seen prototypes of, will feature technologies developed by Honda from competing in the World Touring Car Championship this year. One of its design goals will be to be the fastest front-wheel drive vehicle around the Nürburgring. The current record stands at 8:07.97, which was set in 2011 by the Renault Megane RS Trophy.
Sales of the new Civic Type R in Europe should start sometime in 2015.
There have been rumblings that Honda was planning a new sports car, including a report that a successor to the S2000 was being looked at. However, it is a comment made by Ito stating that the new sports car will be one of six new “mini-vehicle” models that are leading us to believe it will more likely be a production version of 2011’s EV-STER concept.
At the launch of the EV-STER at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show, Ito revealed that a small roadster with a similar design to the EV-STER could be launched in the near future, though instead of solely packing an all-electric drivetrain like the concept the production version would likely adopt a gasoline drivetrain as standard.
Ito pointed out during his latest speech that gasoline-powered vehicles remain the most widely used in the world, so development of internal combustion engines at Honda will continue.
The question now remains, will Honda revive the CRX badge for its new roadster?
Note, the new open-top sports car wasn’t the only performance model Ito announced during his speech. He also revealed that a new-generation of the Civic Type R based on the European Civic hatchback would be developed.
The new car, which we’ve already seen prototypes of, will feature technologies developed by Honda from competing in the World Touring Car Championship this year. One of its design goals will be to be the fastest front-wheel drive vehicle around the Nürburgring. The current record stands at 8:07.97, which was set in 2011 by the Renault Megane RS Trophy.
Sales of the new Civic Type R in Europe should start sometime in 2015.