- Honda says it is starting a feasibility study for "a new sports car."
- The plan could deliver the long-wished-for replacement for the NSX.
- Honda already has a hybrid supercar under evaluation.
TOKYO — Honda President Takanobu Ito dropped a bombshell here late last week when he said the automaker would begin a feasibility study for "a new sports car."
His comment came during Honda's annual motorsports conference in Tokyo, where Honda outlined its plans for the coming 2011 season.
In Japan's Super GT championship (the nearest thing Japan has to NASCAR), Honda won the championship last year with the HSV-010 GT coupe, which is a pure prototype, while Toyota and Nissan are fielding cars in Super GT that are ostensibly production-based.
When asked whether Honda would make a road-going version of the HSV-010 GT to comply with the spirit of Super GT rules, Ito said no, but added, "There is clearly a demand for that type of car that we must answer."
Therefore, he said, Honda would begin a feasibility study for "a new sports car," but no timetable or details of any kind were given out.
While many fans long for Honda to build a replacement for its groundbreaking, midengine NSX of 1990-2005, Honda's belated reply has been to craft an upscale, megabuck, front-engined V10 4WD supercoupe, ostensibly to rival Lexus' LFA.
That car was canned at the 11th hour as the Lehman Brothers crisis broke in 2008, but a separate racing version, with a 3.4-liter V8, carbon-fiber chassis and rear-wheel drive, survived — it's that car that Honda's been racing in Japan's Super GT series, winning both GT500 drivers' and manufacturers' titles in 2010.
Behind the scenes, Honda has been crafting ideas for a "new NSX" for the road for some time. One idea has been for a midengine coupe to rival the Audi R8, another to go for broke and build an ultrahigh-tech super hybrid with a $500,000 sticker.
Whatever the outcome, Honda has at least started to talk publicly again about a new sports car, so a true successor to the legendary Acura NSX might yet appear.
Inside Line says: Honda's President Ito, who was in charge of the aluminum body of the NSX, has now begun a feasibility study for "a new sports car." Should we take that as a good sign? — Peter Nunn, Correspondent
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jmlnsx says:
01:51 PM, 04/25/2011
I have owned or leased three ACURA's before (2-CL coupes & an NSX).
I would really like to hear something concrete from Honda in regards to a new updated NSX. I stopped driving ACURA's because I only drive coupes and ACURA hasn't had a coupe for so long that I can't remember! The rest of the line-up is really boring and some of these new so-called "cross-overs" are really stupid.
I switched to BMW years ago... mainly because ACURA has nothing to offer anymore. Even Honda's are better looking and at least Honda offers several coupes and Sports Cars. The CRZ is really nice... but it's small and doesn't offer much HP... not to mention... no leather interior!
Honda/ACURA should bring back the NSX at it's original price point of $60,000.00... with a front/mid-mounted engine... V6 DHC Twin Scroll Turbo... 400+ HP range with SH All-Wheel Drive... 6-speed manual trans... and all the comfort pieces to go along...
It doesn't have to be all aluminum or carbon fibre... which are way too expensive.
Just do it and stop talking about it and mis-leading all of us.
jmm_101r says:
03:44 PM, 03/18/2011
I CAN NEVER UNDERSTAND HONDA.. THEY ALWAYZ CHANGE THEIR MIND'S EVERYTIME! NOW THEY ARE CREATING A NEW SPORTS-CAR?? OR IS IT ANOTHER MAYBE PLAN ONCE AGAIN..
HONDA HAS ALWAYZ CREATED REALY GOOD PRODUCTS IN MY OPINION.BUT LATELY THEY ARE JUST MAKING DUMB DECISIONS!
I REALY WANT HONDA TO BE SERIOUS AND MAKE/ PRODUCE THIS CAR! TO MANY RUMORS AND
MAYBES AND IM GETTING REALLY TIRED OF THIS.. SO WHEN I SEE IT, IL BELIEVE IT.
P.S. IL BE KEEPING MY EYES ON THIS NEW SPORTS CAR FROM HONDA.. IF IT COMES OUT.
hondamototech says:
01:56 PM, 02/27/2011
I have been a Honda/Acura master technician for almost 30 years now in motorcycles, power equipment, Honda autos and now Acura autos and I have to say that this is the MOST boring line up I have ever seen. We just introduces a TSX wagon and it only comes with a 4 cylinder backed up with an automatic trans. PLEASE break up the boredom, Civic SI's and ZDX's will only take us so far. On the motorcycle front we now have a production chopper and we are flirting with an auto trans for a motorcycle again, PLEASE! I know we can do better, please don't let the competitive spirit of Mr. Sochirio die with him.
acar2 says:
11:43 AM, 02/23/2011
Honda built the NSX then let it languish for years without significant upgrades.
Then they did the same with the S2000.
This company has demonstrated ZERO long-term commitment to sports cars.
But I hear their 4th generation minivan is nice.
jcsupreme says:
03:12 PM, 02/08/2011
I hope Honda stops frikin up their designs.
I love my old prelude :)
dgmail says:
01:59 PM, 02/08/2011
Sorry honda. I wrote you off due to failing transmissions and ugly designs.
I don't even consider your vehicles anymore
The old nsx was an underpowered civic in disguise compared to other halo priced vehicles. Any 70's emission filled Corvette could stomp you from any light.
Plus, you were seen driving a honda. Which makes it even worse
trmzel says:
01:44 PM, 02/08/2011
Looks more like the next gen Supra than the NSX, but I need a side shot to be sure. I'd say have it compete with the GTR, 911s, and Exige. All performance cars for racing. LF-A is a little over the top, and keep it mid-engine rwd. I wish Toyota would make another MR2.
pchang7 says:
11:30 AM, 02/08/2011
Not sure why Honda and Toyota keeps kicking us in the crotch repeatedly. Why insist on coming out with a vastly unattainable vehicle? The LF-A is cool, raw, and downright expensive. Do these manufacturers think people do not like to put tools to use? Yeah, we want automotive progress just to stare at them and dream about them...wow.
I admire Nissan for being a solid manufacturer in providing different levels of performance, and not using the same old recipe. Even when the NSX was rivaling the RX7's, 300ZX's, Supras, and etc. it was then unattainable to buyer's in that market. Not only that, but the performance was only slightly better in terms of handling.
Is Honda and Toyota affraid that people might actually drive one of these cars one day? That's what it seems like to me.
k55 says:
10:56 AM, 02/08/2011
Sorry ...not a big fan of an even more extreme NSX or any manufacturers "1 upmanship " ...Why does every manufacturer feel the need to bring out a sports car that are even more expensive, more extreme , have a higher (but academic) top speed , with an even bigger engine in this day and age is beyond me. Granted an NSX was at the top of the Honda range and so what? 75k ?, 160mph?, 0-60 of 5seconds ? are more realistic targets and then incorporating some better luggage space, some better MPG, maybe AWD traction . Why go "upmarket" all the time? How about going downmarket so others can enjoy the experience .........and the manufacturers then have the cost amoritized over the increased number of sales that may result. Personally, I am disgusted over the 15yr old school boy fascination by Road & Track and Top Gear and others have with megabuck sportscars vs. testing some which us mere mortals can actually afford and conceive of realistically buying. I am also disgusted with the manufacturers who all feel the need to be the baddest boy out there. Honda themselves had a recent concept that is more realistic is this day/age........FWD,based off the Accord, for about 30k -35k. I wouldnt mind a 458 Ferrari Italia ( approx $220k)......and even though I have the cash it doesn't mean I would go out and buy it. Same goes for a Rolex or similar items that eventually just get to be silly in regards to how much money is spent.
jeremy0818 says:
09:50 AM, 02/08/2011
It should keep its roots, and just like back in 89-90, it should be priced between the current Nissan GTR and 458 Italia, where the performance and idea of a 458 (high revving, mid-engined two seater with reasonable comfort in standard trim), but with emphasis on reliability and price
348 TB
$95k
3405cc V8
Power - 300bhp
Weight - 1375kg dry, or 1475kg curb weight
458 Italia
$225k
4499cc V8
Power - 562bhp
Weight - 1375kg dry, or 1475kg curb weight
1991 NSX
$60k
2977cc V6
Power - 290bhp
Weight - 1350kg
So my guess is:
201? NSX
$150k
4000cc V8
Power - 520bhp
Weight - 1350kg
and
201? NSX-R
$180k (20% more)
4000cc V8
Power - 540bhp
Weight - 1250kg (1992-4 NSX-R was 1230kg, 2002-5 was 1270kg)
If not this, then they should try a different name, like NSZ or something.