Twenty-five years after the debut of the original NSX, the production version of its long awaited successor made its European debut at the Geneva motor show this past week.
European customer deliveries of the new mid-engine sports hybrid NSX supercar are due to begin in early 2016.
The 2015 NSX is powered by an all-new power unit – a twin-turbocharged 75-degree DOHC V6 engine coupled to a nine-speed dual clutch transmission and three electric motors.
The hybrid system is housed within a multi-material chassis that Honda claims features “world-first” material applications and manufacturing processes.
Additional chassis elements include an all-aluminium front and rear suspension, as well as ContiSportContact tyres – 245/35Z R19 at the front and 295/30Z R20 at the rear – mounted on 19 x 8.5 inch front and 20 x 11 inch rear aluminium alloy wheels. Braking is provided by six-piston front and four-piston rear monoblock calipers with carbon-ceramic brake discs.
The development of the new NSX started from a clean-sheet and involved nearly three years of development effort by a global design and engineering team led by engineers at Honda’s development centre in Raymond, Ohio.
The exterior body features low and wide proportions, an aggressive front design, and tail lights that the designers claim pay homage to the original NSX. The development team refer to the overall result as “Interwoven Dynamic” design.
The car’s side intake and floating C-pillar collects air to feed the mid-mounted engine and directs airflow over the rear deck to increase downforce. To accommodate the new longitudinally mounted engine and transmission the production vehicle was lengthened by 79 mm and widened by 25 mm compared with the NSX Concept first shown in 2013, resulting in a slightly more cab-forward package.
Honda designers say the exterior body has been shaped for improved airflow management, both for added downforce and vehicle systems cooling. The NSX has undergone testing at the company’s wind tunnel in Raymond leading to a number of key changes from concept to final body design. These include modified bonnet vents, new front wing vents, modified side air intakes, and a revised rear spoiler.
The NSX will be manufactured at Honda’s Performance Manufacturing Centre in Marysville, Ohio, where approximately 100 low-volume production specialists will conduct full body construction, paint, and final assembly.
Source: Honda
