This time it's not just a concept car. It is the final model and according to what Honda announced / Acura, the Acura Concept NSX which premiered at the Detroit Auto Show a few hours ago, will go into production by – at the latest- the 2015.
The Japanese car industry (for those who are confused let us clarify that Acura is nothing but Honda's US based subsidiary) has shown many experimental models over the years, which were rumored to replace the Honda / Acura NSX, which was manufactured by 1990 up to 2005. For some reason though, none of these concept cars made it to the production stage
This time, Nevertheless, Acura says the NSX concept seals the company's decision for the production model, which will debut within the next three years.
Just like the original model, so the new NSX will have a mid-mounted engine. The engine will be V6 naturally aspirated while Acura engineers have added Hybrid SH-AWD. This is a hybrid system that uses three electric motors and gives the car a four-wheel drive concept. Two of the three electric motors are mounted on each of the front wheels and provide the required torque during cornering for better traction results.
"This Sport Hybrid SH-AWD system will make the NSX the ultimate expression of Acura's concept of creating a car that will help elevate the relationship between man and machine", said Takanobu Ito, President and CEO of Honda Motor.
“Like the first NSX, we will once again express high performance through engine performance", Ito added, who led the development of the first Acura NSX . “In this new era, we also focus on the enjoyable driving spirit of the NSX, while at the same time I believe that a supercar must meet modern environmental requirements.”
While in most supercars the reference point is the very high horsepower, the NSX Concept is an advocate of the genuine racing philosophy of an excellent power-to-weight ratio.
Using a drive unit with 2 electric motors (2 Electric Motor Drive Unit) with adaptive bi-directional torque control system, the new hybrid AWD system can directly generate negative or positive torque to the front wheels when the vehicle turns. According to Honda's estimates it is superior to all previous AWD systems. Beyond the advantages of the excellent driving behavior of the Sport Hybrid SH-AWD®, a powerful next-generation VTEC® V-6 engine with direct injection will work with the dual-clutch transmission, which has a built-in electric motor, managing to combine acceleration befitting a supercar with excellent performance.
With the Sport Hybrid SH-AWD, the NSX becomes the ultimate expression of "the collaboration between man and machine," added Ito. “The NSX will make the driver one with the car, promoting dynamic driving experience without unnecessary interference”.
Except for the new NSX Concept, Honda of America introduced the Accord Coupe Concept, which gives a first insight into the design direction of the ninth generation of the American Accord – it is expected to be released in the US in the fall 2012. This model is designed exclusively for the American market and is not intended for Europe.
Already in its second 25 years as a representative of Honda in the premium category, high performance luxury cars, Acura also introduced a concept version of the Acura ILX compact sedan and a prototype 2013 RDX crossover SUV.
The Acura ILX Concept is the harbinger of Acura's new luxury compact sedan set to launch this spring 2012. Intended to be the brand's introductory model, the ILX will be available with three engines, including Acura's first hybrid gasoline-electric powertrain.
