03 Apr Back by Popular Demand: Two NSX Sports Cars
There’s always something new to see at the Newport Car Museum, and this month it includes the return of the hand-built (in the U.S.) 2017 Honda Acura NSX (foreground above), one of the most complex cars ever made, and the 2005 Acura NSX (background above), designed and built by Honda (in Japan) with the help of Italian automobile designer Pininfarina.
They replace the 1968 Volvo P1800S and the 2010 Tesla Roadster, which will be rotated back into the collection at a future date.
More about the 2005 Acura NSX
The 2005 Acura NSX was conceived in 1984 when Honda enlisted the support of Pininfarina to pen a sports car capable of competing with the V8 cars then being produced by Ferrari. The concept was to offer a car that was more reliable but less expensive than the Italian makes. The project was dubbed “Sportscar eXperimental,” which later became NSX for production cars. The NSX became a 290 hp mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive, two-passenger, two-door targa and the world’s first mass-produced car to feature an all-aluminum, semi-monocoque body.
Assisting with the development of the NSX were Formula 1 drivers Satoru Nakajima and Ayrton Senna whose contribution augmented the superb handling of the NSX. Reaching 0-60 in 4.8 seconds, the quarter mile in 13.4 seconds, and with a trap speed of 105 mph and a top speed of 175 mph, this car has lived up to its goal of competing quite nicely with some of the best Italian supercars.
• Engine – 24-valve, 3.2 liter V6
• Horsepower – 290 hp at 7100 rpm with 224 ft-lbs of torque
• Transmission – 6-speed manual
• Curb weight – 3,197 lbs
• 0-60 time – 5.0 seconds
• ¼ mile time – 13.5 seconds
• Top speed – 175 mph
• Number built – 241
• MSRP price – $89,000.00
More about the 2017 Acura NSX
The new NSX succeeds the original NSX sports car that was produced in Japan from 1990 to 2005; however, unlike the original, the 2017 Acura NSX is designed and built in the USA. And here’s a fun fact: Michelle Christensen became the auto industry’s first female to lead the development of a supercar when she directed the 2017 remodel of the iconic Acura NSX.)
Like the original, the new NSX utilizes an aluminum-intensive chassis with carbon fiber components. The advanced suspension system includes magnetorheological dampers that can control roll, pitch, and squat independently at all four corners.
The front wheels are not driven mechanically by the 500 hp mid-mounted V6 engine, but rather, each front wheel is connected to its own electric motor. The combination of a twin-motor front axle with rear wheels driven by the powerful V6 creates the effect of all-wheel drive. The NSX also can automatically add power to the outside front wheel while simultaneously slowing the inside wheel by means of brake regeneration. Mounted to the engine’s crankshaft is a third electric motor that creates smoother gear changes.
• Engine –VTEC 75-degree twin-turbo, 3.5 liter V6
• Horsepower – 573 hp @ 7500 rpm and 406 ft-lbs of torque
• Transmission – F: 1-speed direct drive; M: 9-speed dual-clutch automatic with manual shifting mode
• Curb weight – 3,803
• 0-60 time – 2.9 seconds
• ¼ mile time – 11.1 seconds
• Top speed – 191 mph
• Number built – 800 (planned production)
• MSRP price – $156,000.00