The Honda NSX is a mid-engined sports car with a very rich history. The development of this model began in 1984, and legendary personalities took part in its testing, including Ayrton Senna, Satori Nakajima and Bobi Rahal.
The first working prototype of the NS-X (New Sportscar eXperimental) was first shown to the world public in February 1989 at the Chicago Auto Show. The car made a splash. It was a major breakthrough in Honda engineering and design, and had a strong impact on the future development of sports cars.
In particular, Gordon Murray, the creator of the iconic hypercar, said that his British company changed its focus when creating its car under the influence of the NXS.
Serial production of the Honda NSX began in 1990. The car received a unique all-aluminum body, first used in the automotive industry. But the main pride of the Japanese was the range of engines.
About motors
Initially, the Honda NSX was offered with a 3.0-liter 256-horsepower DOHC engine. It is aggregated in tandem with a 4-speed automatic transmission, or with an adaptive "automatic" hydromechanical type with switches on the steering wheel. The maximum speed of the sports car reached 260 km / h.
In 1997, Honda began to install a V6 engine with a displacement of 3.2 liters on the NSX. Its return has grown to 280 horsepower. Working in tandem with the new 6-band mechanics, this power unit provided a maximum speed of 270 km / h.
Three machine versions
In total, there are three modifications of the car: the NSX coupe, the NSX-T with a targa body (produced since 1997) and the lightweight modification NSX-R (produced since 1992).
In 2005, the Japanese manufacturer said goodbye to his legend. Serial production of the machine was officially discontinued. The NSX lasted fifteen years on the assembly line. It is also worth noting that in the US and Hong Kong, the model was sold under the name Acura NSX.
About prices
It is not so easy to buy an Acura / Honda NSX on the Russian market now - there are very few offers. Depending on the technical condition of the car, the presence / absence of tuning elements and the year of manufacture, the cost of the NSX varies from 500,000 to 2.5 million rubles.
To be continued…
At the motor show in Detroit 2012 was presented to the generation. The all-wheel drive car is equipped with a hybrid power plant, consisting of a V6 gasoline engine and three electric motors. According to preliminary information, mass production of new items will begin in 2015.
In the late 1980s, Honda decided to create a supercar that could compete on equal terms with similar cars from Italian and German manufacturers. The Honda NS-X prototype was first introduced in February 1989 at the Chicago Auto Show, and in 1990, sales of the Honda NSX serial coupe began in Japan. In 1991, the car entered the American market under the name.
The design of the coupe was traditional for cars of this class: an engine located in the base, rear-wheel drive. Due to the fact that the body of the car was made of aluminum, it was possible to achieve a low weight of the car - the curb weight of the coupe was 1.3-1.4 tons. The Honda NSX was driven by a three-liter V6 engine with a VTEC variable valve timing system. The highly accelerated engine could spin up to 8000 rpm, and its power reached 274 hp. With. Gearboxes - five-speed manual or four-speed automatic.
In 1992-1995, several hundred Honda NSX-R coupes were produced specifically for the Japanese market. The car was lightened by 120 kg due to the rejection of the audio system, air conditioning, spare wheel, sports seats and a stiffer suspension.
In 1995, a targa version appeared - with a removable roof section. And in 1997, the range of engines was replenished with a more powerful power unit: the V-shaped “six” 3.2 developed 280–294 hp. With. and was completed only with a six-speed “mechanics”.
The Honda NSX was first shown in 1989 as a prototype in Chicago. Today it is a symbol of Honda's sporting spirit, combining power, speed and grace.
A streamlined low silhouette, the highest level of finish, the world's first load-bearing all-aluminum body, an on-board computer, a security system, a leather interior - everything is made using the latest technologies.
The range of engines is represented by: powerful 3 l DOHC (with two overhead camshafts, 256 hp) Maximum speed 260 km/h. It is equipped with a 4-speed "automatic", instead of which a sport shift system with an adaptive hydromechanical automatic transmission and the ability to shift gears directly on the steering wheel (F-Matic transmission) can be installed. And a 3.2 liter V6 (280 hp) equipped with a VTEC system (electronic control of lift height and valve opening time). The maximum speed is 270 km/h. It comes with a 6-speed "mechanics". This unit has only been offered since 1997.
The NSX cabin features a double surround layout that provides both driver and passenger with plenty of space. Excellent ergonomics of the driver's seat, precise steering and reliable brakes are the key to comfortable movement. In addition, the NSX has an unusually large number of curved windows for a sports car, which provides excellent visibility from the driver's seat.
To maintain stability at high speeds, the RTU system is used, and in headwinds and variable road conditions, a self-locking limited slip differential serves the same purpose. The four-channel ABS system independently controls the disc brakes on all wheels. The Honda NSX is equipped with an electronic traction control system and Ryaon 66 airbags from the American company DuPont.
Standard equipment includes leather upholstery, cruise and climate control systems, a tuned engine exhaust system and a high-end Bose audio system. All NSX models are equipped with power steering, and since 1994 also with wider wheels.
In total, there are three variants of the car: NSX, NSX-T (produced since 1997 with a targa body - a removable middle part of the roof), NSX-R (produced since 1992, a lightweight version).
The updated Honda NSX was introduced in 2001 at the Tokyo Auto Show. The exterior design of the car has been noticeably upgraded. There was an updated head optics, a different configuration of the air intake, as well as a new design of the rear part - lights in the entire width of the body and an integrated spoiler.
The power unit inherited from its predecessor is a 3.2-liter V6 engine, which will be paired with either a new automatic transmission or a six-speed manual, to choose from.
In May 2002, the new NSX-R was introduced. Manufacturers boldly reduced the proportion of soundproofing materials to reduce the weight of new items and doubled the stiffness of the suspension springs. The power unit remained the same.
In 2004, Honda decided to start official sales of the NSX-R in the UK. Previously, this extreme version of the NSX model was officially sold only in the domestic market of Japan.
This version of the Honda NSX-R is equipped with the same 276 horsepower six-cylinder engine as the base model, but differs from it in that the crankshaft in this version has undergone careful balancing, thereby ensuring the stability of the engine at the highest speeds.
In addition, the weight of the novelty is significantly less than the previous model due to the hood and spoiler made of carbon fiber, new ultra-light Recaro seats with a carbon fiber frame, an updated steering wheel and a titanium gear lever knob. The lighter weight made the NSX-R faster than the base version.
Plus, a special fairing was installed on the car, which streamlines the air flows under the bottom of the compartment. This made it possible to significantly improve aerodynamic performance at high speeds.
It should also be noted that the suspension of the sports coupe, the gearbox, the brake system, now designed for larger wheels, have also been adjusted, and an upgraded electronic throttle control system has also appeared.
In conclusion, we add that soon the current Honda NSX model should be replaced by a completely new car, the development of which is nearing completion. The prototype of the new Honda super coupe was named Honda HSC (Honda Sports Concept). A different name is due to the fact that the novelty is a completely different car that has nothing in common with the previous version.
We also note that in the US Honda NSX is sold under the Acura NSX brand, and in Japan under the name Honda Verno.
Honda NSX with dignity combines high technical data and stylistic sophistication.
