Honda teases new NSX tech

Honda has spilled the beans on some of the new state-of-the-art technology that will come with its soon-to-be-launched Audi R8 rival.

Built in Honda’s US plant in Marysville, Ohio, the all-new NSX will feature an advanced petrol hybrid powertrain.

Unlike the first-gen car the new NSX is all-wheel drive with two electric motors driving the front axle.

At the rear of the car there’s yet another single electric motor that’s linked directly to the crankshaft of a new midship-mounted 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 that powers the rear wheels through a nine-speed dual-clutch automatic.

We’ll have to wait a little longer for how much power and torque the hybrid produces powerplant, but the new blown V6 hybrid will be a world beater, according to Honda.

It will also come with dry-sump lubrication to prevent oil starvation while pulling high Gs, the new 75-degree angle lump also gains both direct and port injection and has a lower centre of gravity than any of its rivals.

Helping save weight is a new spaceframe chassis. Shunning the McLaren’s (540C, 570S) carbon tub, Honda will once again rely on a majority aluminium monocoque. Called the ‘Multi-Material Body’, engineers have blended parts of the space frame with other materials like ultra high-tensile steel to increase stiffness. Boosting structural rigidity even further is something called ‘ablation casting’ that casts components that are stronger than ever without the brittleness that some castings are plagued with.

The NSX allows the driver to select one of four driving modes, Quiet (pure eV), Sport, Sport+ and Track modes. Controversially, Honda will also offer a variable-ratio steering.

To help keep it stable at high speeds the new NSX has spent months in the wind tunnel and the result is something called ‘Total Airflow Management’ that helps the supercar maximise downforce while minimising drag.

Biggest challenge of the new aero package has been heat management. That’s why the new V6 twin-turbo hybrid needs ten air-cooled heat exchangers and three engine radiators. Two intercoolers were also needed, one for each turbo.

As well as passive aero there’s also active aero that’s said to manage intake and exhaust gasses expelled as speeds vary.

Honda has also developed new ceramic brakes for the NSX.

Performance is expected to match the new Ferrari 488 GTB with a 0-100km/h of around 3.0 seconds and a top speed of around 330km/h.

Due here in the second half of 2016, Honda Australia will sell the NSX through appointed, specialist dealers. Speaking to motoring.com.au last month sales boss Stephen Collins said he “wouldn’t even want to guess” pricing.

In the US pricing has been set for around $US150,000 which translates to $190,000, although expect it to attract the usual Southern Hemisphere price hike when it arrives here.