It’s show time in Detroit and lots of news is breaking – but perhaps none more sporty than the all-new and long-awaited Honda NSX supercar.
Some 25 years after the first NSX debuted, Honda whipped the covers from the first production version of the all-new model which has been developed over three years by Honda’s North American Akura division in Raymond, Ohio.
As expected, the all-new Honda NSX is a hybrid – a three electric motor ‘Sport Hybrid’ system combined with a twin-turbocharged 75-degree DOHC V6 driving through a nine-speed dual-clutch transmission.
The petrol engine has a race-crafted dry-sump lubrication system and combines with one of the electric motors to drive the rear wheels while the front wheels are each driven by an electric motor – the whole system labelled by Honda as ‘Super-Handling All-Wheel-Drive’ (SH-AWD).
As well as boosting acceleration, Honda says the drive to the front wheels is used for torque-vectoring – all developed during extensive testing at Germany’s Nurburgring circuit.
To cater for this powerplant, compared to earlier prototypes, the production Honda NSX is 3.0-inches longer and 1.0-inch wider and looks slightly more cab-forward.
And extensive aerodynamic testing has resulted in a rear spoiler, modified side air intakes, new front fender vents and modified engine air intakes.
Statistically the all-new Honda NSX measures 4470mm in length (wheelbase is 2630mm), 1940mm in width and 1215mm in height.
There are some cues to the original Honda NSX – floating C-pillars, side air intakes and the tail-lights for example.
Those massive wheels are 19x8.5-inch (front) and 20x11-inch (rear).
Underneath, Honda says the all-new NSX runs a lightweight multi-material body and chassis with world-first material applications and manufacturing processes.
This includes body panels made from a combination of aluminium and sheet moulding composite and an aluminium spaceframe anchored by a carbon-fibre floor.
Honda has allocated NSX production exclusively to its Performance Manufacturing Centre in Marysville, Ohio.
