Four-wheel-steer returns for Honda

by Tony Davis of www.drive.com.au

Honda as re-embraced four-wheel steering, a feature the company pioneered back for mass-produced cars in 1987 then abandoned soon after the Japanese bubble economy burst in the 1990s.

The new 4WS system, using electric motors on the rear wheels, was among a suite of technology showcased at the Earth Dreams summit at the company’s rebuilt head R&D Centre at Tochigi in Japan last month during the 2013 Tokyo motor show.

Also demonstrated were lightweight bodies, new safety and autonomous driving technology, and a trio of turbo engines.

The centre was severely damaged – with one fatality and many injuries – during the earthquake that accompanied the 2011 tsunami.

Some senior executives believed the company would go bankrupt because of the complete disruption to new model plans.

The new 4WS system, first released on the RLX Acura in the US, does without any solid connectors from front to rear. Electric motors can alter the angle of the rear wheels in either direction, even independently of each other.

The steering angle change is only 3 degrees (1.5 degrees in each direction), less than the old Prelude, so some of the engineers refer to it as active toe-control. Active rear steering systems are becoming increasingly common in new vehicles – from Peugeots to Porsches – in an effort to improve dynamics and stability.

However, the Honda system is made far more effective by a new hybrid version of the car demonstrated at the research and development facility.

In this vehicle, two electric motors, generating 27kW between them, each power a rear wheel and can provide torque vectoring. This means one rear wheel can push out more power than the other to assist stability or cornering, or can brake to feed power back into the electrical system. And that’s as well as changing angle.

These electric motors work in league with a conventional petrol engine upfront that powers the front wheels in what is rather excruciatingly called the Acura RLX SH-AWD Super Handling (with the SH standing for “Sport Hybrid”).

A drive on a tight handling circuit showed the system dramatically improved the turn-in of what is otherwise a softly sprung US-style luxury sedan.

Project leader of the model, Mr Aoki, confirmed that improved handling and driving enjoyment was the main target, the added safety a by-product.

He wouldn’t confirm whether such a system will be extended to sports models, but did confirm the RLX hybrid system uses the same principles as that in the forthcoming Honda NS-X supercar.

That however, will drive the rear wheels with a mid-engined turbocharged V6 engine (of unspecified power), and use its electric motors on the front wheels.

Under a slew of slogans – Earth Dreams, Blue Skies for our Children, Safety for Everyone and the “man-maximum, machine-minimal” design philosophy – Honda also presented the Accord Hybrid that is on the shopping list for Australia, and a plug-in version rated at a remarkable 2.05L/100km, which is not.

Also presented were Honda engineers own take on other features available from competitors, including collision avoidance technology, blind spot monitoring, unmanned self-parking and autonomous driving.

The chance to be chauffeured by a self driving Accord around a test track – and to watch it brake or swerve for pedestrians and motorcycles – was fascinating.

The system uses V2V (vehicle to vehicle) and V2I (vehicle to infrastructure) communications as well as on-board sensors, but will require much government cooperation on the infrastructure side before being unleashed on public roads. With this in mind, Honda demonstrated the system two weeks ago to the Japanese prime minister, Shinzo Abe.

Honda R&D boss Yoshiharu Yamamoto says the company might have an autonomous driving car on sale by 2018, though admits it won’t be a so-called Stage 4 car, which is to say fully self-driving.

Steer-by-wire was recently released on the Infiniti Q50. Honda’s system gives a remarkably traditional feel with some real advantages over conventional systems, including no kickback even on a tight bumpy circuit possibly designed specifically to incite kickback.

Mr Yamawaki, the engineer in charge, said “the technology can be suitable for all cars, but we are not sure yet which cars we will apply it to”.

Unfortunately there are no weight savings. The lack of a steering shaft and rods is countered by the mechanical back-up system installed in case of failure.

We also had the chance to punt around the same course a prototype CR-Z coupe built around a carbon fibre tub. Said to halve the normal body weight, this also adds a million yen premium at this stage of the development. That’s about $10,700.

The main problem is that it was necessary to step over a Lotus Elise-style doorsill to get into the cockpit. This sill was so high, that when the doors were opened, an additional portal in the roof lifted to give more access.

With lots of exposed carbon-fibre and uncovered wiring, the car was very loud and raw, making the Lotus comparison even stronger.

Although using the standard drivetrain, it was in another league to the everyday CR-Z: fast, responsive and great fun.

Also on display were full electric cars, including a new micro commuter known as the MC-Beta, and three engines that show a new interest in turbocharging from Honda.

These include a three-cylinder 1.0-litre producing 95kW and 200Nm, a 1.5-litre four-cylinder (150kW/260Nm) and a 2.0-litre (206kW/400Nm), which is slated for a future Civic Type-R hot hatch.

Executive Toshihiko Nonaka said the CVT, or continuously variable transmission, will be the main choice for Honda vehicles of the future, but the company also showed an ingenious double clutch automated manual.
This eight-speeder is the first double clutch transmission with a torque convertor, incorporated to overcome the main criticism of such units as VW’s DSG: roughness at city speeds.

Whether it can achieve similar efficiency as well, isn’t clear. Nor alas, is there any information on when it will go on sale.

Source;
http://news.drive.com.au/drive/motor-news/fourwheelsteer-returns-for-honda-20131211-2z4z7.html

Acura NSX Supercar Concept to Debut in Virtual World Of Gran Turismo®6 Game

12/06/2013 - TORRANCE, Calif.

The highly anticipated Acura NSX, in concept form, will fire up its twin-turbocharged engine and innovative new three-motor, torque vectoring Sport Hybrid powertrain in Gran Turismo®6 (GT6), which releases worldwide today. The 'real driving simulator' available exclusively for the PlayStation®3 system gives sports car enthusiasts their first opportunity to get behind the wheel of the next generation Acura NSX Concept.

"Whether in the virtual world of Gran Turismo today, or on real-world roads and racing circuits less than two years from now, the Acura NSX will be an incredibly innovative and thrilling ride that delivers something entirely new to the world of super sports cars," said Mike Accavitti, senior vice president of Auto Operations at American Honda Motor, Co., Inc. "The wait is over for NSX fans eager to get behind the wheel of the next Acura supercar, and they can rest assured the actual production car will be even more amazing than the in-game concept version."

Targeting next-generation supercar dynamic capabilities with advanced environmental performance, the Acura NSX will be powered by a mid-mounted, direct-injected and twin-turbocharged V-6 engine mated to Acura's Sport Hybrid SH-AWD® (Super Handling All-Wheel Drive) system.

Acura's Sport Hybrid SH-AWD® is an all-new, three-motor high-performance hybrid system that combines torque vectoring all-wheel drive with advanced hybrid efficiency through the use of three electric motors – one motor integrated with the V-6 engine and its all-new dual-clutch transmission (DCT) driving the rear wheels, and two high-output electric motors driving the front wheels. The system enables instant delivery of negative or positive torque during cornering to achieve a new level of driving performance unparalleled by current AWD systems. Acura defines this unique customer benefit of it's luxury performance vehicles as "the synergy between man and machine."

Global development of the NSX is being led by engineers at Honda R&D Americas, Inc., in Raymond, Ohio. The next-generation Acura sports car will be produced using domestic and globally sourced parts at the state-of-the-art Performance Manufacturing Center, now under construction in Marysville, Ohio.  The all-new NSX is expected to go on sale in 2015.

About the Gran Turismo® Franchise
Gran Turismo® celebrates its 15th anniversary in 2013, having first appeared internationally in 1998. The multi-award-winning franchise has been the most successful ever for PlayStation®, and in 2013 it also surpassed worldwide sales of 70 million units. Various iterations of Gran Turismo have been created for PlayStation® , PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, PlayStation®3 and PSP (PlayStation® Portable), and have always been regarded as the best and most authentic driving simulators ever created due to true-to-life graphics, authentic physics technology and design. Since the inception of Gran Turismo, famed creator Kazunori Yamauchi and Polyphony Digital Inc. in Japan have revolutionized the racing category as we know it today. His offerings provide the most realistic driving simulation in the industry and a unique medium for automotive manufacturers to showcase their products. Gran Turismo®5, the latest iteration of the game, was released in 2010 and has sold 10 million units worldwide. The forthcoming Gran Turismo®6 releases on December 6, 2013.

About Acura
Acura offers a full line of technologically advanced performance luxury vehicles through a network of 275 dealers within the United States. The Acura lineup features six distinctive models including the RLX luxury flagship sedan, the TL performance luxury sedan, the TSX Sport Wagon and sedan, the ILX compact luxury sedan, the RDX luxury crossover SUV, and the all-new MDX luxury sport utility vehicle.

Source;
http://www.hondanews.com/channels/corporate-headlines/releases/acura-nsx-supercar-concept-to-debut-in-virtual-world-of-gran-turismo-6-game

New power generation: Honda on the cutting edge

Honda Motor Co. President Takanobu Ito shows Honda NSX hybrid concept car, left, and Honda S660 concept car at the Tokyo Motor Show earlier this month.
(Shizuo Kambayashi/AP Photo)

The Tokyo Motor Show may not be the must-see event it once was prior to the global economic meltdown of 2008, but it still packs a wallop when it comes to showcasing new ideas and new technologies.

For Honda Motor Co., while it’s safe to say certain models in the company’s lineup are unqualified successes – the Accord, for example – it’s equally correct to note that others have fallen far short of expectations.

On its stand at the show was the RA271, the car with which Honda first competed in Grand Prix racing in 1964. A few spots down was the latest prototype version of the Honda/Acura NSX, its highly anticipated sports car, which is due to be released in 2015.

By no coincidence, Honda will return to Grand Prix racing that same year as the exclusive engine supplier to the McLaren Formula One team.

 “The regulations in Formula One are going through major changes right now,” Takanobu Ito, Honda’s CEO, said through an interpreter during an exclusive roundtable interview session. “And they are changing in a very encouraging way for a manufacturer like Honda.”

The changes include a move away from the series’ naturally aspirated 2.4-litre V-8 engine to a turbocharged 1.6-litre V-6, as well as greater use of energy recovery technology. The expected specifications for the NSX reveal that Honda is on the same page: the hybrid will rely heavily on a turbocharged V-6 engine and on energy regeneration.

This technology, in a different form, was on display at the company’s R&D facility in Tochigi where journalists got a crack at the forthcoming Acura RLX Sport Hybrid SH-AWD (super handling all-wheel drive). The next flagship for Honda’s luxury division, which will arrive in Canada in 2014, employs a 3.5-litre V-6 gas engine linked to no fewer than three electric motors – one in the front and one at each rear wheel.

The motors in the back trigger a torque vectoring system that sends power to the outside wheels to help with cornering. While many all-wheel drive cars show a tendency to understeer in such situations (they don’t want to turn when you want them to turn), the RLX hybrid did not. In fact, a few quick laps around one of the test facility’s tracks revealed that the strength of the Acura could be its predictable, smile-inducing handling.

The RLX Sport Hybrid powertrain produces 377 hp, promises superior fuel economy to the non-hybrid version and showcases Honda’s first dual-clutch automatic transmission – so it will be a technological tour de force for the manufacturer. The NSX will also incorporate a hybrid all-wheel drive system, although details have yet to be released.

The SH-AWD system was just one of three hybrid powertrains that Honda has developed and all three were on display in Tochigi. We also sampled the i-MMD (Intelligent Multi-Mode Drive) system that is used in the largely wonderful Honda Accord Hybrid (on sale in Canada) and the Accord Plug-In Hybrid (which we may not receive).

“Hybrids will generate fuel efficiency that internal combustion alone will never give us,” Ito said. “We will see wide adoption of hybrids over the next 10 years.”

Hybrids comprise 40 per cent of the market in Japan, but a smaller percentage in Canada. Hybrids prove most popular when the price is not significantly greater than that for the non-hybrid equivalent, as is the case with the Hybrid Fit in Japan. In Canada, only the next-generation gas-powered Fit will arrive next year.

In parallel with the company’s continued focus on hybrid powertrains is its intention to develop “downsized” turbo engines, more Continuously Variable Transmissions, a smattering of diesels and, in the long term, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.

“The hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle is the ultimate expression of personal mobility,” Ito said. “We believe it’s the best in terms of environmental performance. Until [it’s ready], there will be a number of efforts in other areas, including improvements to the internal combustion engine.”

Honda is at the crossroads – some of the car technologies being developed will have a limited shelf life, others may never bear fruit and still others could drive future success for decades.

Source;
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-drive/new-cars/auto-news/new-power-generation-honda-on-the-cutting-edge/article15637882/

Prototype Civic Type R steals the show at Honda Technology Day

The prototype Civic Type R stole the show at Honda's Technology Day. The Type R features a 2.0L VTEC Turbocharged four that produces 280 hp, giving it a power density of 140 hp/litre.

by Graeme Fletcher of www.driving.ca

Turbocharged 2.0L VTEC produces 280 hp of pure, adrenaline-pumping fun at Honda Technology Day

TOCHIGI, Japan — Honda has been accused of sitting on its engineering laurels of late. The Technology Day proved that it has been doing anything but twiddling its corporate thumbs. While everything shown/driven during the day was not exactly cast in stone it was fairly described as being concrete in the process of drying — everything was too far down the engineering pipeline to be an exercise.

The production RLX Hybrid and its Super Handling All-wheel-drive (SH-AWD) is, in a word, superb. It is blindingly quick and the credit goes to two important things. The 3.5-litre V6 engine is good for 310 horsepower and 272 pound-feet of torque. Then there’s the electric side. The two rear electric motors contribute 36 hp each, while the front motor adds another 47 hp to the pot. In the end, the RLX SH-AWD has a net system output of 377 hp and 377 lb-ft of torque. Even as employed in a large sedan the system has the wherewithal to blow away many sports cars.

The beauty of the system is the manner in which it delivered its ride-on-rails feel. The mechanical version of SH-AWD was good; the electric system is much more accomplished. It not only overspeeds the outside rear wheel in a corner, it applies a negative torque to the inside wheel, which delivers some regenerative braking to top up the 1.3 kilowatt/hour lithium-ion battery. This action reduced the amount of steering input and the need to dab the brake heading into a corner. Around the test track the turn-in proved to be as crisp as it was immediate.

The Acura RLX Hybrid, with SH-AWD, is blindingly quick, with a combined power output of 377 hp.

Beyond its handling/performance capabilities the RLX Hybrid can drive on electricity alone and, because of its configuration, has on-demand all-wheel-drive. The seven-speed twin-clutch transmission added to the sense of overall refinement. The shifts, which can be initiated through paddle shifters, were quick and when Sport mode was selected it sharpened the throttle response and shift speed, delayed the upshifts and firmed the steering’s feel.

All of this bodes extremely well for the up-coming NSX. While the engineers were coy, some information did slide by their tight lips. To begin with, it will adopt much of the RLX SH-AWD’s technology — specifically the electric motors, battery and power electronics. The biggest changes are found in the gasoline side and layout. Where the RLX has its engine mounted up front with two of the three electric motors powering the rear wheels, the NSX will be exactly the opposite — two electric motors driving the front wheels, while a new engine and the third electric motor power the rear wheels.

In this application, the gasoline power will come from a twin-turbocharged 3.5L V6. Honda did not mention output, so I will use some extended thinking. The Civic Type R’s 2.0L VTEC Turbocharged four produces 280 hp (see later), which gives it a power density of 140 hp/litre. Using this as a base, the 3.5L twin-turbo V6, which should enjoy a similar power density, could have as much as 490 hp. And this is before the three electric motors have contributed — and they are likely to have more juice, too.

The Acura NSX’s 3.5L twin-turbo V6 was on display during Honda Technology Day.

The NSX will also earn an all-new twin-clutch transmission (no mention of the number of gears, but it, too, is expected to have more than the seven in the RLX). Shoehorn all of this leading-edge technology into a lightweight chassis — it will likely be a blend of aluminum and carbon-fibre reinforced plastic — and you have the makings of a seriously raucous ride. It all served to whet my appetite.

The star of the day was, without question, the prototype Civic Type R. This, given Honda’s rather conservative approach, is radical by any standard. It starts with what’s under the hood — the aforementioned 2.0L, VTEC Turbo four and the 280 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque it generates. Fire the power through a six-speed close-ratio manual and a sticky set of P235/35R19 tires and you have the makings of a monster.

Pulling out of the pits, I ran up through the first three gears and got ready to merge onto the high-speed oval — I was doing about 75 kilometres an hour. Standing on the gas saw the front wheels spin as the Type R blasted fourth and towards the first high-banked corner. From here it was around the four-kilometre banked oval at the limited top speed of 200 km/h (the road-going car will be capped at 250 km/h). Now, all of this was done in normal mode.

The prototype Civic Type R has a capped maximum speed of 250 km/h.

A button on the dash engages the R mode. This firms the steering and adjustable suspension, sharpens the throttle and puts the vehicle stability management system into its track mode. It, according to the engineer riding shotgun, allows the driver to have more “fun.” At the time of writing, the final Type R’s specifications were yet to be firmed up. For example, will the brake system use Honda’s own design, or the four-piston front Brembos on the test car? Regardless, this is a car that will be built and sold. It MUST come to Canada. Ford Focus ST? VW Golf GTI? The Civic Type R will show both a clean set of wheels.

There were two other equally compelling versions of the VTEC Turbo to test. The first was a 1.5L four that made 201 hp and 192 lb-ft of torque. It, in the Civic mule, proved to be a truly workable engine. It had great low-end punch and it was very strong through the mid-range — turbocharged torque always has this effect. As a replacement for the current naturally-aspirated 2.0L engine used in any application it will work like a charm, providing more power and better fuel economy. You can’t ask for much more.

The other VTEC Turbo was a 1.0L three-cylinder. In spite of its diminutive displacement it still pushed 127 hp and 147 lb-ft of torque, which was enough to whisk the Civic test mule to 160 km/h with surprising ease. Even when married to a CVT (and I am not a fan of the continuously annoying gearbox), it worked perfectly. Well enough, in fact, to maybe get me over my CVT aversion.

A 1.5L four-cylinder version of the VTEC Turbo was also on hand for testing. It makes 201 hp and 192 lb-ft of torque.

Source;
http://driving.ca/honda/auto-news/news/prototype-civic-type-r-steals-the-show-at-honda-technology-day/

Honda/Acura NSX Concept GT Japanese Commercial

Honda NSX to launch in 2015

Honda's new hybrid NSX supercar, set to launch in two years time, to offer combined power output of 400bhp

The new Honda NSX will launch in 2015 with ground-breaking technology that will only be employed if it improves the driving experience, according to its development chief Ted Klaus.

Honda's new NSX is undergoing chassis development in the US, while powertrain work is being carried out in Japan. The Honda will feature a mid-mounted V6 engine, supported by three electric motors, offering a combined output of 400bhp. Honda has previously promised sharp handling and a high performance potential.

Klaus, however, has reiterated that the complex electronics will only intervene if they improve the driving experience. In particular, he highlighted the possibility of using the electric motors to deliver instant throttle response, or to allow silent all-electric drive.

'"The NSX must stay true to the role it created, of being an everyday exotic," said Klaus. "That means we must only use the new tech to support the driver to live with the car every day, and to give the driver a car with a depth of abilities that they can peel away with familiarity, as they get to know the car.

"The technology gives us a chance to create a car that is focused on being agile, precise and linear in its responses like never before. We are looking to do more than chase numbers on paper - as with the original NSX we wont have the most powerful car in the category, for instance, but we believe the human element is more important than that. Whatever we do, the driver must be at the centre of the experience, not the car."

Klaus also confirmed that Honda hoped to involve racing drivers from inside and outside the company during development, as it did with Formula 1 racer Ayrton Senna with the original NSX. The firm returns to F1 with McLaren in 2015.

"We call them acid tests - be it exposing the car to the world's most demanding drivers or test tracks. We may get burned by that acid, but that is the only way to improve," said Klaus.

Source;
http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/frankfurt-motor-show/honda-nsx-launch-2015

Honda NSX Concept-GT breaks cover

To race at Suzuka

Honda has announced the NSX Concept-GT race car which will compete in the GT500 class of the Super GT Series fifth round this weekend at Suzuka.

As you would imagine, the racecar is based on the Acura NSX concept and complies with the 2014 regulations established by the Japan Automobile Federation regarding GT500 cars. The vehicle is powered by a 2.0-liter mid-mounted inline direct-injection turbocharged four-cylinder engine working together with a hybrid setup.

No further details were released, but we notice the addition of a wide body kit including a huge rear wing, a lowered suspension, a carbon fiber front spoiler lip, side vents and multi-spoke alloys shod in Bridgestone Potenza tires.

The road-legal Acura NSX is scheduled to go on sale in 2015, with production taking place in Ohio, United States.

Source;
http://www.worldcarfans.com/113081661530/honda-nsx-concept-gt-breaks-cover

Honda Motor Co Ltd (ADR) (HMC): Acura’s NSX — The “Next Big Thing”

Acura, the luxury vehicle division of Japanese automaker Honda Motor Co Ltd (ADR) (NYSE:HMC), has just tweeted the first teaser picture of an NSX second generation prototype. This new NSX is a hybrid-electric supercar and a revival of the first generation Acura NSX. Acura is planning on putting out the NSX to the market in 2015.

Will this sleek new electric car turbocharge Honda Motor Co Ltd (ADR) (NYSE:HMC) and Acura moving forward, or will competitors like Porsche, Nissan Motor, and Audi make the new Acura NSX slam the brakes? Honda Motor Co Ltd (ADR) (NYSE:HMC)’s revamping of the Acura brand and the NSX’s appeal to consumers will be a catalyst for Honda Motor Co Ltd (ADR) (NYSE:HMC)’s stock moving forward. Even if the NSX doesn’t sell as well as other competitors, the car itself will probably drive customers to buy other Acura or Honda cars.

The NSX can help Honda compete better

The original first generation NSX was a lot different than the planned second generation redesigned NSX supercar. However, Clement D'Souza, associate chief engineer at Honda of America, underscored the importance of the first generation NSX:

The first NSX redefined the sports car world and this car will hopefully do the same, with new technologies that will cascade down to other models in the Acura line.

Honda Motor Co. Ltd (ADR) (NYSE:HMC) has a good foundation to build upon from the success of the first generation NSX, and is currently overhauling the luxury Acura brand. Acura sales in the United States were up an encouraging 14% in the first four months of 2013.  But Acura is “only” ranked fifth in the United States among luxury brands, behind BMW, Toyota's Lexus brand, Mercedes-Benz, and General Motors' Cadillac. And although the Acura team is most likely not planning on directly competing with Porsche and Ferrari, the more affordable NSX supercar will appeal to more consumers and give Honda a new front to compete with the likes of Nissan, Audi, and Porsche.

Honda shares have done fairly well in the past few months due to a weaker Japanese yen and a robustly strong automotive market:

HMC data by YCharts

Sure, an NSX supercar will probably not be the first model a budget-conscious family or consumer. Analysts estimate the NSX will cost somewhere in the $120,000-$200,000 range to compete with Audi’s R8. The Nissan GT-R, a comparable model to the NSX, runs at about $110,000. Porsches are priced expensively since they are very high-end, high quality sports cars. So, the NSX might have some difficulty competing with Nissan if its price is much above $120,000. And, people with a lot of discretionary income to spend on a high priced car aren’t offered much of a reason to not buy a snazzy Porsche and get an NSX instead.

But, as we will see in in the next point, the NSX itself might not be the biggest piece to Honda Motor Co Ltd (ADR) (NYSE:HMC)’s puzzle. Acura's NSX will possibly not only take some market share away from Nissan, Audi, and Porsche, but will also give Honda leverage in selling its other brands. The NSX would probably ride the coattails of the electric car revolution and have a larger impact than its numbers might originally suggest.

The NSX might give Honda leverage

The danger the NSX poses to Nissan and Porsche might not initially lie in how well the NSX sells. As Ronald D. White of the Los Angeles Times explains:

Experts said the previous iterations of the NSX created a so-called halo car that brought attention to the entire Acura line. The automaker is hoping that will happen again with the new version. The NSX has been the kind of car that "adds luster and excitement to the Acura brand," Jack Nerad, executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book, said in an interview. "It will bring people into the showrooms, not so much to buy, but maybe to look," Nerad added. "And if they look and then buy an ILX or an MDX, the Acura people will be very happy."

The new generation NSX has one key factor in common with the first generation NSX -- the allurement factor. The first generation NSX sold very well, but also helped consumers take a second look at other Honda Motor Co Ltd (ADR) (NYSE:HMC) and Acura cars that they otherwise might not have taken a look at, thus driving revenue up for Honda.

How Nissan, Porsche, and others respond to this development remains to be seen. Nissan probably has more to lose than Porsche since Porsche most likely won’t be in direct competition with the NSX for the most part. Both Nissan and Porsche posted pretty strong results in the first quarter of 2013, with Nissan benefiting from a weaker Japanese yen like Honda has.

The outlook for both Nissan and Porsche at this moment looks fairly good, but Honda’s NSX will probably be a factor weighing down on Nissan’s sales in the long run.  At this point, if all goes well with the rest of the NSX's development then it is safe to say that Acura's NSX will be "the next big thing" in the automotive industry.

The article Acura’s NSX -- The “Next Big Thing” originally appeared on Fool.com and is written by Evan Buck.

Evan Buck has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. Evan is a member of The Motley Fool Blog Network -- entries represent the personal opinion of the blogger and are not formally edited.

Temple of Vtec: NSX Prototype Track Run

Acura NSX Prototype with Production Powertrain to Pre-Run IndyCar Race

by  Alexander Stoklosa

If you’re growing bored with Acura’s seemingly endless parade of NSX concepts—there was the 2012 original, then this one, one with an interior, and, oh, look, a red one!—get ready to flip your britches. That’s because there’s yet another NSX prototype headed for the spotlight, but this time it will move. That’s right, get ready to see your favorite played-out supercar concept take to the pavement; the big debut is scheduled for just before the Honda Indy 200 next weekend at Mid-Ohio raceway.

The NSX prototype will lap Mid-Ohio ahead of the race’s start, giving spectators their first audible taste of Acura’s resurrected supercar. Acura promises the test car will use the same V-6 engine and three-motor hybrid setup that comprises the brand’s new Sport Hybrid Super-Handling All-Wheel-Drive system (SH-AWD). The new NSX will launch in 2015, so there’s still time for Acura to bandy a few more NSXs about . . . Regardless, we can’t wait to hear what the mid-engined supercar sounds like.

Source;
http://blog.caranddriver.com/acura-nsx-prototype-with-production-powertrain-to-pre-run-indy-200-race/

2015 Acura NSX Prototype Spied On a Real Racetrack

by  Evan McCausland of www.automobilemag.com

Until now, we’d only laid eyes on various 2015 Acura NSX concepts and prototypes on auto show stands or rolling in virtual reality. But, thanks to these photos, posted this morning to Acura’s social media channels, we have our first look at the 2015 NSX rolling on a road course.

According to Acura’s Twitter feed, this new NSX prototype will perform a public lap of the Mid-Ohio road course track on August 4th, just prior to the Honda Indy 200 IndyCar race.

We’re not sure yet if the 2015 NSX’s setting signifies its forthcoming manufacturing home in Ohio, or is somehow related to the NSX’s future in racing . The first point is officially on the record, and the second possibility is something of a poorly-kept secret. When the initial Acura NSX concept was unveiled at the 2012 Detroit auto show, Honda CEO Takanobu Ito openly suggested the 2015 NSX could spawn a racing variant.

In all likelihood, we suspect the 2015 NSX will be the basis for several racing variants. A release issued by Honda this March focused on the automaker’s partnership with Magnetti Marelli for IndyCar powertrain components, but suggested the relationship would also extend to a Honda entry in the FIA’s World Endurance Challenge — the same series that includes the 24 Hours of Le Mans – and the newly combined American Le Mans / Grand-Am series by 2014. Meanwhile, a user on motorsports forum www.ten-tenths.org posted photos yesterday of what it claims is an NSX racer designed for Japan’s Super GT series.

Both ideas seem to gel with what Steve Eriksen, vice president of Honda Performance Development, told Speed.com in 2012, fresh off the heels of the NSX concept’s debut in Detroit.


“We’re studying the various series and seeing what would make sense,” he said. “There’s certainly regional series that have been traditional NSX venues; Honda has raced in Super GT for years and in the past been NSX-based.

“In America, there’s only a couple of sports car options, but certainly, I think Le Mans is ultimately where it makes great sense to have a car to show its prowess. But I think it all depends on where the regulations go in the future.”

We’ve heard whispers that a formal announcement regarding the 2015 Acura NSX’s future in motorsports is due shortly, so stay tuned to Automobilemag.com for the latest NSX news.


Source;
http://rumors.automobilemag.com/2015-acura-nsx-spied-on-a-real-racetrack-236275.html#photos-hanger

NSX's electric motors will help handling

Richard Truett
Automotive News

May 20, 2013 - 12:01 am ET 

 

MARYSVILLE, Ohio -- Technical details on the Acura NSX coming in 2015 are scarce, but large-project leader Ted Klaus offered a few nuggets last week as Honda officials announced that the sports car will be built here.

Two front-mounted electric motors will do more than boost acceleration, Klaus said. They will sharpen handling by managing torque and weight shifts in turns.

And the car's three electric motors will be capable of driving the car without the gasoline engine -- if Honda wants to program the car to have an electric drive mode. Klaus also said the car's battery pack will be in the transmission tunnel area and will help handling by ensuring proper weight distribution.

"All three motors will work in conjunction with the driver," he said. "When the driver puts his foot on the accelerator or turns or brakes, all those motors will work in response."

Honda officials know the all-wheel-drive V-6-powered NSX isn't going to outmuscle most Corvettes, Ferraris and Porsches. But they also know that it takes more than raw power to ignite the passion of sports car enthusiasts.

Though technically excellent, the first-generation NSX built from 1990-2005 was seen by many as lacking soul and character, and it never sparked the same level of passion exhibited by drivers of other high-dollar exotic cars -- something Honda officials are keenly aware of.

The NSX will feature a direct-injected V-6 engine, dual-clutch transmission and a body made of lightweight materials. Making all of this engaging to the driver, Klaus said, is a top priority.


Source;
http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130520/OEM06/305209962/nsxs-electric-motors-will-help-handling#axzz2Tw0wYNwr

Honda To Announce New Manufacturing Site for Next Gen NSX

by Dan Edwards of www.wdtn.com

MARYSVILLE, Ohio (WDTN) - Tuesday, Honda will unveil a new manufacturing site for the Acura N-S-X.

2 News has learned the new site will be located 8 miles west of Marysville near existing Honda plants.
Honda was the first Japanese automobile manufacturer to release a dedicated luxury brand, Acura, in 1986 and Ohio continues to benefit from their growth.

Honda already operates its largest North American engine plant in Anna with more than 24 hundred people working there.

In November it announced the expansion of that plant and the transmission plant in Russells Point with the planned addition of 200 jobs to the one thousand already employed there.

In January, Honda officials announced the 2014 Hybrid Accord would be built in Marysville adding another 50 jobs at that location.

Earlier this month, Midwest Express Group, a trucking and logistics company announced it would add 50 jobs in anticipation of the new deal with Honda's East Liberty plant in Logan County.

Honda tells us it has invested 800 million dollars in its four Ohio plants in the past three years.

Source;
http://www.wdtn.com/dpp/news/ohio/honda-to-announce-expansion#.UZI87Eo7YUM

Honda UK Taking Pre-Orders for NSX Supercar!

The second chapter in the book of the NSX is being written right now by Honda's R&D teams in Los Angeles, California, and Raymond and Ohio. However, because the first chapter had such cult following, people already want to be a part the next.

Honda UK just made a shock announcement, saying that it's opened a pre-order bank for the hotly anticipated supercar. All you have to do is sign your name on the dotted line and hand over a deposit of £5,000 ($7,650 or €5,850 at the current exchange rate) and you can be one of the first people to own one when deliveries start in 2015.

The news of a pre-order bank follows in the footsteps of the previous NSX which saw 25 pre-orders being taken a year ahead of its UK launch.

Unlike the old NSX, the futuristic car you are drooling over right now will be powered by an all-wheel drive hybrid drivetrain, centered around a mid-mounted, direct-injected V6 engine. It will also utilize a unique 2 Electric Motor Drive Unit with a bilateral torque adjustable control system. This will even generate negative torque on one of the front wheels to improve cornering.

“We are really pleased with the interest we’ve already seen for the new NSX. We are still two years away from the launch of the car and yet we’ve received over 20 deposits and that’s before we’ve even announced prices or seen the final production car. With this process in place we are confident demand will remain strong and early hand raisers can now visit any Honda dealership in the UK and place a deposit,” Phil Crossman, Managing Director, Honda (UK), commented.

Source;
http://www.autoevolution.com/news/honda-uk-taking-pre-orders-for-nsx-supercar-58179.html

Say Goodbye to the Honda HSV-010

Honda aborted its front-engined NSX project years ago and turned it into a racecar, but even that's being put to pasture as the new hybrid NSX rolls in.

 

by Noah Joseph of www.carbuzz.com

Never heard of the Honda HSV-010 GT? That’s because, unlike the other cars competing in Japan’s Super GT series, the HSV-010 isn’t actually based on a production car. It traces its roots to an aborted front-engined NSX project, but a loophole in the regulations allowed it to race anyway. But it won’t for much longer. According to reports, Honda Racing will race the HSV-010 GT in the GT500 class of the Super GT series this year, much as it has since 2010. But 2013 will be its last season before Honda phases it out in favor of the new NSX.

With the roadgoing NSX not expected to arrive until late next year, at the earliest, that means the Super GT500 version will be the first on the scene. It also means that the HSV-010 will have had a rather short lifespan, deployed only on the racetrack (despite its original production intentions) for three years. In contrast, the original NSX competed in the Super GT series (and its predecessor Japanese Grand Touring Car Championship) for a solid twelve seasons. The original won the title three times, and the HSV-010 another one. Will the new NSX be as successful? Only time will tell.

Source;
http://www.carbuzz.com/news/2013/4/4/Say-Goodbye-to-the-Honda-HSV-010-7713722/