Wouldn't It be nice if Honda was thinking about a new Prelude?

Here's a nice rendition of what the Next Honda Prelude might look like by John Nguyen.

This is more of a rant that a article....

For those that have been following this site for awhile, you'll know that I am a big fan of the idea for Honda to bring back the Prelude.  There has been talk of Honda wanting to bring a successor to the Honda S2000 and I think that that idea is great.  I know that Honda has the Honda Civic Si and the Honda Accord Coupe as 'spiritual' successors to the Prelude, but there's just something about having the Prelude as it's own entity.

Toyota is talking about bringing back the Supra, Nissan is thinking about bringing back the 200 Z car, and Subaru is full throttle ahead with the WRX!

C'mon Honda, at least talk about it!

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

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