Ewan
17-04-2008, 06:10 AM
Not for the first time, Autocar has run (in this week's edition, date 16 April) a story about the next gen NSX. I can't find the story on their webiste so here's what the article says, if you don't get the mag:
Honda plans RWD future
Company is bringing Acura brand to Europe in 2010 with the new NSX; rear-drive saloons to follow
HONDA'S NEW NSX is finished and will spearhead the European launch of the Acrua brand when it goes into production in autumn 2010. That's the word from Autocar's sources inside Honda Japan, who have confirmed that the front-engined V10 supercar will be unveiled at next year's Tokyo show and will be followed by a new range of rear-wheel-drive Acura sports saloons.
We can also reveal that the controversial looks of the NSX concept model have been overhauled since its debut at the 2007 Detroit show. The long nose has been completely redesigned.
"It now has Chevrolet Corvette overtones," said our source. But the new NSX will still be powered by a 4.5-litre V10 engine, delivering around 550bhp and offering racecar-like acoustics.
The NSX was meant to be unveiled at last year's Tokyo motor show, but Honda bosses postponed its launch because they were unhappy with the car's final design.
Honda has aspirations to compete with Lexus, Infiniti and BMW in Europe, and Acura is the obvious platform from which to launch that assault.
Insiders tell us that there will be a range of Acura models alongside the NSX. Honda will switch to rear-wheel drive for its large saloons and develop a range of more powerful engines.
The first new saloon will be a BMW 7-series rival, scheduled for launch in 2015. Another new model could be an S2000-based Acura sports car, which would replace the ageing Honda two-seater, taking it more upmarket to rival the Mercedes SLK.
If Acura is to have an impact on the European market, it will require a huge investment from its parent company, but the brand needs sales here to succeed.
{SIDE PANEL}
What is Acura?
Acura is Honda's equivalent of Lexus, a premium sub-brand. But unlike Lexus, Acura doesn't build its own bespoke models. Instead, Acura sells rebadged Hondas and takes all technology from its parent brand.
Acura has only sold cars in the US and China and has never followed the established rear-drive route in the luxury sector. It's also never offered an engine bigger than six cylinders. But the NSX is set to change that, although CO2 emissions, particularly for the European market, will have to be taken into consideration.
In the US Acura's current line-up incluides a rebadged version of our Honda Accord, called the TSX, a version of the Legend named RL and teh MDX, a version of the seven-seat CR-V.All this is under a half-page picture of the 2007 Detroit show car, the Acura Advanced Sports Concept - a bit pointless since the article says the new model isn't going to look like that (in fact the picture caption says "NSX concept was shown in 2007, but its looks will change".
http://www.autocult.com.au/img/gallery/full/DetroitAuto128.jpg
Just as well, IMHO, cos the front of the Acura ASC is super fugly. Other angles look pretty decent, though I much prefer the mid-engined Honda HSC concept that was shown previously... (even if it is a bit too derivative and the rear glasshouse looks a bit wrong from this angle:)
http://www.carstyling.ru/resources/concept/2003honda_hsc_1.jpg
... and the backend a dog's dinner...
http://www.carstyling.ru/resources/concept/2003honda_hsc_2.jpg
Place your bets - another Autocar false alarm, or is it really going to happen this time?
Honda plans RWD future
Company is bringing Acura brand to Europe in 2010 with the new NSX; rear-drive saloons to follow
HONDA'S NEW NSX is finished and will spearhead the European launch of the Acrua brand when it goes into production in autumn 2010. That's the word from Autocar's sources inside Honda Japan, who have confirmed that the front-engined V10 supercar will be unveiled at next year's Tokyo show and will be followed by a new range of rear-wheel-drive Acura sports saloons.
We can also reveal that the controversial looks of the NSX concept model have been overhauled since its debut at the 2007 Detroit show. The long nose has been completely redesigned.
"It now has Chevrolet Corvette overtones," said our source. But the new NSX will still be powered by a 4.5-litre V10 engine, delivering around 550bhp and offering racecar-like acoustics.
The NSX was meant to be unveiled at last year's Tokyo motor show, but Honda bosses postponed its launch because they were unhappy with the car's final design.
Honda has aspirations to compete with Lexus, Infiniti and BMW in Europe, and Acura is the obvious platform from which to launch that assault.
Insiders tell us that there will be a range of Acura models alongside the NSX. Honda will switch to rear-wheel drive for its large saloons and develop a range of more powerful engines.
The first new saloon will be a BMW 7-series rival, scheduled for launch in 2015. Another new model could be an S2000-based Acura sports car, which would replace the ageing Honda two-seater, taking it more upmarket to rival the Mercedes SLK.
If Acura is to have an impact on the European market, it will require a huge investment from its parent company, but the brand needs sales here to succeed.
{SIDE PANEL}
What is Acura?
Acura is Honda's equivalent of Lexus, a premium sub-brand. But unlike Lexus, Acura doesn't build its own bespoke models. Instead, Acura sells rebadged Hondas and takes all technology from its parent brand.
Acura has only sold cars in the US and China and has never followed the established rear-drive route in the luxury sector. It's also never offered an engine bigger than six cylinders. But the NSX is set to change that, although CO2 emissions, particularly for the European market, will have to be taken into consideration.
In the US Acura's current line-up incluides a rebadged version of our Honda Accord, called the TSX, a version of the Legend named RL and teh MDX, a version of the seven-seat CR-V.All this is under a half-page picture of the 2007 Detroit show car, the Acura Advanced Sports Concept - a bit pointless since the article says the new model isn't going to look like that (in fact the picture caption says "NSX concept was shown in 2007, but its looks will change".
http://www.autocult.com.au/img/gallery/full/DetroitAuto128.jpg
Just as well, IMHO, cos the front of the Acura ASC is super fugly. Other angles look pretty decent, though I much prefer the mid-engined Honda HSC concept that was shown previously... (even if it is a bit too derivative and the rear glasshouse looks a bit wrong from this angle:)
http://www.carstyling.ru/resources/concept/2003honda_hsc_1.jpg
... and the backend a dog's dinner...
http://www.carstyling.ru/resources/concept/2003honda_hsc_2.jpg
Place your bets - another Autocar false alarm, or is it really going to happen this time?