R&T NC1 First drive

[Nick Graves]

http://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/first-drives/reviews/a27144/2017-acura-nsx-first-drive/

Sounds too numb for my tastes; I'll stick to the NA2 thanks.

[Hagasan]

http://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/first-drives/reviews/a27144/2017-acura-nsx-first-drive/

Sounds too numb for my tastes; I'll stick to the NA2 thanks.

Pride will be upset you beat him to this!!

[Pride]

Pride will be upset you beat him to this!!

Too right I'm upset Gary as that's exactly what I would have said and more.:)

In fact he describes almost exactly it how I remember driving my brother in laws R8 over a few days, over time, numbing handling and non engaging.:(

[Mistercorn]

It sounds like it is great with the correct tyres on it. Good to read some first hand experiences.

MC

[pralognan]

Steve Cropley in Autocar doesn't sound very enthusiastic!

[sorepaws]

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/honda/nsx/first-drives/2016-honda-nsx-road-and-track-review

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/2016-honda-nsx-qa-ted-klaus-project-boss

[TheSebringOne]

What do people think of the wheels design? Very different IMHO.

[duncan]

Is the R&T review a 'knock off' of the latest Honda review by Troy Queef?
http://sniffpetrol.com/2015/10/22/as-crisp-as-a-porcelain-poppadom/#.Vi6oMdDFm04
Penmanship without comparison.

[NZNick]

These, are (IMHO)http://st.motortrend.com/uploads/sites/5/2015/10/2017-Acura-NSX-wheels.jpg?interpolation=lanczos-none&fit=around%7C150%3A150&crop=150%3A150%3B%2A%2C%2Abetter than http://st.motortrend.com/uploads/sites/5/2015/10/2017-Acura-NSX-wheels-02.jpg?interpolation=lanczos-none&fit=around%7C150%3A150&crop=150%3A150%3B%2A%2C%2Athese, but the same wheels without the brightwork look ok:http://st.motortrend.com/uploads/sites/5/2015/10/2017-Acura-NSX-front-wheels.jpg?interpolation=lanczos-none&fit=around%7C660%3A%2A - http://st.motortrend.com/uploads/sites/5/2015/10/2017-Acura-NSX-side-profile1.jpg?interpolation=lanczos-none&fit=around%7C660%3A%2A these Y spoke wheels are less "look at ME" than the 'twisted' design - more classy & subtle vs. brash & trendy - all in my humble opinion.

[NZNick]

Lots of nice photos on the motortrend review (http://beta.motortrend.com/car-reviews/first-drives/2017-acura-nsx-first-drive-review/#) - hopefully they will offer an option to have the bright beak made matt / body colour / black - it sticks out like a sore you-know-what!

[Rob_Fenn]

Sounds promising. I am hoping that the reservations can be simply fixed with a software tweak, as that is all the 'Track' mode is. Sounds like they could also do with improving the exhaust noise too.

Given the largely positive reviews, it would be appear that Chris Harris is not a fan.

"I drove the NSX last week. And I'm reading some of the reviews today and wondering if I drove the same car...... "
https://twitter.com/harrismonkey/status/658726356524605441

[NoelWatson]

Sounds promising. I am hoping that the reservations can be simply fixed with a software tweak, as that is all the 'Track' mode is. Sounds like they could also do with improving the exhaust noise too.

Given the largely positive reviews, it would be appear that Chris Harris is not a fan.

"I drove the NSX last week. And I'm reading some of the reviews today and wondering if I drove the same car...... "
https://twitter.com/harrismonkey/status/658726356524605441

I fail to see how it is promising - if I want a car that weighs 1700kg that goes quickly, I'll get a GTR and save £50k

I'm still not clear why Honda aren't fitting more aggressive tyres as OE - both for this and the Civic. The Civic has been getting pummelled in real world comparisons around UK circuits - most of which must be down to tyres. Also not clear why the NSX is set up to understeer - there is a revolutionary new technology called ESC that allows manufacturers to set the chassis up to be pointy while having a safety net. Everyone else seems to manage.

[DamianW]

Hello, long time no post.

I always feared how a USA designed/engineered NSX would go, and I think my fears may be justified. 550-570hp is nice, but 1725kg and with economy described as poor I'm struggling to "get it". On paper it's doing nothing a GT-R doesn't already do but without the electric motor complexity. What "new thing" is this NSX bringing to the table? That's what the original car did, it made everyone else sit up and take note.

I'm afraid as somebody who still regularly pines for his NSX, this new model has turned me off. I'd either go for an i8, which looks like a genuine glimpse into the future, or a Mclaren. That's if I had the money!

[Pride]

Hello, long time no post.

I always feared how a USA designed/engineered NSX would go, and I think my fears may be justified. 550-570hp is nice, but 1725kg and with economy described as poor I'm struggling to "get it". On paper it's doing nothing a GT-R doesn't already do but without the electric motor complexity. What "new thing" is this NSX bringing to the table? That's what the original car did, it made everyone else sit up and take note.

I'm afraid as somebody who still regularly pines for his NSX, this new model has turned me off. I'd either go for an i8, which looks like a genuine glimpse into the future, or a Mclaren. That's if I had the money!

It looks like it's a bring on the type R situation.

That should take us nicely into 2018 then!!!!!:)

[Nick Graves]

Hello, long time no post.

I always feared how a USA designed/engineered NSX would go, and I think my fears may be justified. 550-570hp is nice, but 1725kg and with economy described as poor I'm struggling to "get it". On paper it's doing nothing a GT-R doesn't already do but without the electric motor complexity. What "new thing" is this NSX bringing to the table? That's what the original car did, it made everyone else sit up and take note.

I'm afraid as somebody who still regularly pines for his NSX, this new model has turned me off. I'd either go for an i8, which looks like a genuine glimpse into the future, or a Mclaren. That's if I had the money!

Hi Damian,

The i8 is a bit of a struggle buggy, though.

It also has no torque vectoring (nor does the Datsun) - which has to be experienced to be believed.

Now, the NC1 is too wide-arsed for Hertfordshire's lanes, but otherwise the ability to slice through them on a miserable day ought to be stunning.

It's a sort of poor man's 918, really.

The Motor Trend review seems to understand it better and is technically more detailed.

I really get what they're trying to achieve, though it's too much car for the UK these days. Well, not Scotland or somewhere similar. At least I can thrash an NA2 mercilessly. Just...

[DamianW]

Hi Damian,

The i8 is a bit of a struggle buggy, though.

It also has no torque vectoring (nor does the Datsun) - which has to be experienced to be believed.

Now, the NC1 is too wide-arsed for Hertfordshire's lanes, but otherwise the ability to slice through them on a miserable day ought to be stunning.

It's a sort of poor man's 918, really.

The Motor Trend review seems to understand it better and is technically more detailed.

I really get what they're trying to achieve, though it's too much car for the UK these days. Well, not Scotland or somewhere similar. At least I can thrash an NA2 mercilessly. Just...

I think the i8 is one of the more interesting cars to have been produced in the last few years. Once you get beyond 400 hp or so, cars are all "bloody quick", so the addition of more horsepower, vectoring or whatever else is virtually irrelevant. As you rightly say, you can't use it on UK roads anyway.

On a point of note, the "Datsun" does have torque vectoring. As well as four seats (I had 3 adults in mine all the way to Spa) and a boot. *that's* doing something different, a USP. I still don't see the new NSX having anything I actually want.

[Rob_Fenn]

The GTR is a great VFM car but it looks mildly offensive and the interior is horrid. Combined with badge prestige, that's why most would rather spend a significant sum more on an equivalent 911.

Looks are of course subjective, but a mid-engined car is always going to look more exotic. From i've read, the new NSX doesn't scrimp on interior materials either.

However, i agree with the concerns over fuel consumption, given it is a hybrid. However, i am wondering if it puts down phenomenal laptimes people will be more appreciative? The issue is that it surely has to outperform the new McLaren 570s and upcoming Ferari 488 to establish its arrival in the market. I agree, if it simply delivers GTR performance with added complexity, it will once again be a very niche purchase.

I do admire the i8, but having driven one i think they are overrated with the gearbox ruining the experience. I'd hardly call it a benchmark, or even a competitior to the new NSX.

[DamianW]

The GTR is a great VFM car but it looks mildly offensive and the interior is horrid. Combined with badge prestige, that's why most would rather spend a significant sum more on an equivalent 911.

Looks are of course subjective, but a mid-engined car is always going to look more exotic. From i've read, the new NSX doesn't scrimp on interior materials either.

However, i agree with the concerns over fuel consumption, given it is a hybrid. However, i am wondering if it puts down phenomenal laptimes people will be more appreciative? The issue is that it surely has to outperform the new McLaren 570s and upcoming Ferari 488 to establish its arrival in the market. I agree, if it simply delivers GTR performance with added complexity, it will once again be a very niche purchase.

I do admire the i8, but having driven one i think they are overrated with the gearbox ruining the experience. I'd hardly call it a benchmark, or even a competitior to the new NSX.

Well if we're going to get into what the market wants, then to my mind:
1. Normal people are sick of 'ring times and don't care. Cf: Civic Type R. Spend ages obsessing about the 'ring, nobody cares.
2. People will keep buying Porsche et al; they certainly won't be spending similar money on a Honda unless through some magical feat it is *astonishing*. It weighs as much as my XF, doesn't appear to offer the same practicality as its forbear, has apparently awful economy (I've read 20 US mpg on a good day?), doesn't generate any more horsepower than *cheaper* contempories, let alone comparable metal I'm really struggling with it. Since early reviews already suggest it merely feels brisk over 40mph, what is it giving the market other than a choice nobody wants?
3. Looks are subjective but having been hawked at motorshows for the last 4 decades (it feels), the new NSX already looks old.

People will compare the NSX to the i8 whatever you want to think - they are both offering a hybrid solution to the sports car problem. They're both high value cars. If I won the lottery tomorrow, though, I'd get the NSXs spiritual successor - a Mclaren 570.

[Nick Graves]

I think the i8 is one of the more interesting cars to have been produced in the last few years. Once you get beyond 400 hp or so, cars are all "bloody quick", so the addition of more horsepower, vectoring or whatever else is virtually irrelevant. As you rightly say, you can't use it on UK roads anyway.

On a point of note, the "Datsun" does have torque vectoring. As well as four seats (I had 3 adults in mine all the way to Spa) and a boot. *that's* doing something different, a USP. I still don't see the new NSX having anything I actually want.

Oh yes - so it does. Must've confused it with the On-Do...

How have you got on with yours? I've only ridden in one, not driven it.

[DamianW]

Oh yes - so it does. Must've confused it with the On-Do...

How have you got on with yours? I've only ridden in one, not driven it.

Long since sold it. Subsequently had a BMW 130i M LE, then my current Jag XF S (I'm an eclectic car buyer, what can I say).

I loved the GT-R, it had bags more character than the 997 I tested at the time. It seems to attract a lot of unfair criticism which it doesn't deserve IMO. It also attracts the "upgrade" brigade, and my car was bought by a chap who had the engine tuned (by a very well known and supposedly reputable tuner), only for it to explode several times. He subsequently sold it and who knows where it is now. I took such care of it I still feel a little bitter.

[Nick Graves]

Thanks, Damian.

I'm well aware of the buyer stigma (poor thing never recovered from Jade Goody either) and I think that's probably the source of the criticism, rather than the car itself.

I bought a Leg End because it better served my purposes, but I did THINK about the R35...

[havoc]

>1,700kg* kerb weight for a 2-seat supercar?!? :(

Oh dear. Oh very dear. I don't much care about torque vectoring, torque-fill and silly amounts of bhp if the suspension and tyres have got to deal with that level of weight...the car is going to be at the mercy of physics no matter what anyone says, and I suspect the consumables are going to be consumed at a rather prodigious rate...another supercar for the posers not the drivers...

The Cayman GT4 is looking like a better prospect for someone with ~£100k to spend every passing month. Either that or an NA2 / NA1R / Type-S...or the 250+ kg lighter Mclaren 570S of course, if you have to have high tech and pose-factor...





* Only saving grace is it's still lighter than an F-Type V8...but then so is a Challenger II... ;)

[Pride]

Sunday Times motoring section opinion and review:

http://www.driving.co.uk/news/a-hybrid-scoffing-at-the-jet-set/

[L696ULO]

And the Telegraph's from last weekend

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/cars/honda/nsx/

[HPGeezer]

Does anyone know how many are actually coming in next year?
handling, spec could be irrelevant to most of us!!!!

[Pride]

Does anyone know how many are actually coming in next year?
handling, spec could be irrelevant to most of us!!!!

100 was the preordered limit, maybe more allowed once they see production running smoothly but don't hold your breath.:)

[HPGeezer]

I heard that production was at best 1 car a day for the foreseeable future so, given RH drives low status I doubt whether they will allocate any more than 1 months production
That I guess will be around 25 cars for 2016?
ouch !!!!

anybody interested in a White NSX-R I have been offered from Japan 80,000 miles, never f'kd about with?

[Crockefeller]

Na1? How much?


I heard that production was at best 1 car a day for the foreseeable future so, given RH drives low status I doubt whether they will allocate any more than 1 months production
That I guess will be around 25 cars for 2016?
ouch !!!!

anybody interested in a White NSX-R I have been offered from Japan 80,000 miles, never f'kd about with?

[NZNick]

anybody interested in a White NSX-R I have been offered from Japan 80,000 miles, never f'kd about with?

I'm guessing that you mean this one - 8,000kms, 1996 - http://kuruma-ex.jp/usedcar/detail/ccCU3820674068

price by negotiation (in other words LOTS)

[NZNick]

Not sure if this is allowed, but I found this on Prime (http://api.viglink.com/api/click?format=go&jsonp=vglnk_144893004282010&key=4ccac918d6da871072c073fb2c39bf27&libId=ihmnj8xn010006mv000DA2aq1nsif&loc=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nsxprime.com%2Fforum%2Fshowth read.php%2F193348-Glowing-review-in-Evo-magazine-UK&v=1&out=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dropbox.com%2Fsh%2Furupbwgl8 jii0rc%2FAACUvdKpiIe76fBpLzTaqi2Ca%3Fdl%3D0&ref=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nsxprime.com%2Fforum%2Fforumd isplay.php%2F35-Second-Generation-NSX-Discussion&title=Glowing%20review%20in%20Evo%20magazine%20-%20UK&txt=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dropbox.com%2Fsh%2Furupbwgl8 ...LzTaqi2Ca%3Fdl%3D0&loAsUuid=ihmnj9bv-0960a408-070a-46d1-a1b2-8efb929cccfd) whilst waiting for my copy of Evo to wend its' way to the bottom of the planet.

[Nick Graves]

Thanks, Nick.

Interesting read. Even if Monkey's comprehension of economics is not as strong as he is with things automotive.