New Honda NSX makes public running debut
All-new supercar proves a star attraction at last weekend's Indy 200 race at Mid-Ohio in the USWe saw the teaser video, and now Honda’s premium Acura division has aired footage of its next-generation NSX making its public running debut at last weekend’s Honda Indy 200 IndyCar Series at Mid-Ohio in Lexington, USA.
The venue may seem a bit random, but not so when one takes into account the fact the new-age NSX is being developed by Honda R&D Americas in Raymond, Ohio and will be manufactured nearby in Marysville.
“With leadership from our R&D and manufacturing teams here in Ohio, we are developing a next generation sports car that will be equally at home on the street and on the racetrack, so it is natural for us to showcase the prototype vehicle here at Mid-Ohio,” said chief engineer Ted Klaus.
“It is exciting for us to see the prototype running on track, reflecting the great progress we’re making toward the 2015 global launch of the NSX, as we engineer a new sports car experience for customers around the world.”
Fittingly, the blue liveried NSX prototype was piloted around the 3.86km course by a member of the car’s Ohio-based engineering development team.
As previously reported, the second-generation NSX will feature a three-motor high-performance hybrid system with two electric motors powering the front wheels and a third motor integrated with the mid-mounted V6 engine, with a newly developed seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox sending power to the rear axle.
Honda has dubbed the drivetrain ‘Sport Hybrid SH-AWD’, and the company claims it serves up “instant delivery of negative or positive torque to the front wheels during cornering to achieve a new level of driving performance unparalleled by current AWD systems”.
The company hasn’t disclosed the total power output the NSX will have on tap, but some estimates put the figure around the 300kW mark. However, the car’s real USP is likely to be the immediacy with which the power can be deployed through all four wheels by the petrol-electric motor combo.
As for the V6 powerplant, it’s believed to be a 90-degree design that’s derived from the upcoming 2015 engine that Honda will supply to McLaren’s Formula One team under their new agreement.
Read the latest news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at carsales' mobile site…
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
