Props to Honda/Acura for this effort. On the right design track, IMHO...

 

Looks good, but I preferred the HSC as an NSX replacement.

 

I don't like it.

 

Honda's version of the Z06. This would give a lot of automakers fits if they decide to build this one.

 

I still don't understand how this really fit into the whole Acura/Honda line up. I don't like it, still bettern then that stupid HT/FT thing Toyota is showing but this is still way too space age for me.

 

Thats what they said about the NSX before it debuted. We all know how that went. Honda/Acura has to build a competent, competitive, hi-power spors car before I'll believe they can do so effectively.

 

NSX could have been a bigger hit if it had an engine to match to back the rest of the car up.

 

Possibly, but there were other problems. First, the NSX was hardly what one would consider a deal for what it asked you to give up relative to a Ferrari or Porsche. Yes it was cheaper, but it wasn't as though Honda mananged this without a tradeoff which made the NSX seem like less of a bargain. And how much more would it have cost if Honda had seen fit to stuff a truly suitable motor under the hood?

Also, while it was very 'driveable' with a smoothness to it's every move as is typical of Honda, those benefits were likely ironic side-effects of an even bigger problem IMO. The NSX feels and acts more like a mid-engines Accord than the more usable and affordable take on a Ferrari Honda wanted it to be. Those who want a Ferrari for image wouldn't be attracted to the NSX, but the above meant that those who wanted a Ferrari for it's raw performance, but couldn't afford, one, wouldn't likely find the NSX a suitable alternative either. Lesson: If you lack image you had better have soul, and the NSX lacks that in spades.

But now that I've mentioned that I have to chuckle at myself since I may be making the best argument for the Acura V10 concept that can be made. In a large GT like the 'Acura V10' lacking the soul of a Ferrari or 911 is far more excusable than it would be in a car like the NSX, even if the pricing remains exorbitant.

 

Honda had to do soemthing with their old F1 V10 engine technology information . . . . .

 

We entered the space age four decades ago.

C'mon, man.

 

I seem to recall the NSX being quite successful (how long was it in production?) and highly lauded by the automotive press and those who drove it as quick, finely balanced, and exceptionally well engineered for its day.

 

They should build an "official" Senna SE this time around.

 

Yeah, I'm not sure why everyone is so down on the NSX. It sold exactly like it was supposed to (better even, Honda had no intentions of stretching the cars run to 15 years) and made a great halo car for the brand. That's success in my book.

 

Thank you.

 

I'm sure Honda would love for that to be accurate but it isn't. Acura did expect NSX sales to be low, likely a bit less than what they sold the first year if I had to guess (you virtually never know what a car company really intends to sell without inside info) But sales dropped like a rock after the first year and were about 20% of first year sales totals only a few years in.....that was absolutely not the plan.

Honda kept producing the NSX despite dismal sales for several reasons. First it is often the case that continuing production of a car with disappointing sales is preferable to simply ending production, even if it that car is a money loser. This is true for many reasons. Commonly, given that since sunk costs are already spent and gone by nature, cancelling production costs more money than simply taking your lumps and producing the car longer than might seem otherwise advantageous would. Also, Honda had apparently locked themselves into several contracts which also made it more attractive simply finish the cars and honor those contracts than it would have been to simply cancel the NSX.

The above, combined with Honda's desire for the NSX to not be seen as a sales failure, led them to continue producing a car which was disappointing from a sales perspective, and which became uncompetitive some time ago.