Well, I just got back from Ohio. I was at the TRC Track for training and to drive the new NSX! I don't know where to begin. As an NSX Fanatic and owner this was definitely one of the coolest things I've ever done. I flew to Ohio on Monday and on Tuesday at 6 am when went by bus to the TRC testing center. I think we went here back in 2004 for NSXPO. Sadly I have no pictures as we were searched before we got on the bus. We weren't allowed cameras or phones. Although the track is owned by Honda, they rent it out to other manufactures for testing and they didn't want anything being leaked. I did see a couple camouflaged cars but nothing interesting.
The day was split into several sessions. The morning was classroom time, we were taught all about the car and the technology, the type of sales process Acura expects, the type of client who might buy one, the actual delivery of the car, and everything else you can imagine. The car is packed with new technology, think Porsche 918 but for 1/8 the price. The TMU or twin motors for the power drive unit, the first time twin turbos have been used by Honda. The Sport Hybrid system is amazing-connecting to the crankshaft to provide instant power, engine layout and why it's a dry sump unit. They also showed alot of videos by Jason Widmer, one of the lead project engineers on why they built the car the way they did. IDS-simply amazing and the launch control is insane. Although they haven't releases official wording on how it will effect warranty coverage due to repeated usage.
The key emphasis on the car was changing the way the supercar has been built. The car is built around the human, and has the driver in mind in every aspect. He described how he built one car that can take the place of having 4 supercars in your garage. The quiet mode is really cool. Imagine starting the car in your garage and not waking up your neighborhood.
Then we ate lunch and then the drive. First we started with the current Acura lineup, just to learn the track. They had pro race car driver there to assist. The surprise of the day was the RLX Sport Hybrid, a limited production car that no one even knows about. I think they make around 500 a years or so. I know we sold one new and one used one but really never paid much attention to the car. I drive a FWD RLX Advance model and while I do enjoy that car, this Sport Hybrid is insane. Supposedly in 2018 they will be more of them produced as it will share similar components to the MDX Sport Hybrid. I slid this thing around the road course with ease, as it downshifted and charged ahead and with amazing power. A car that should be on everyones must drive list.
Then the NSX, what can I say? I've driven everything and anything and can honestly say this is the most amazing car I've ever driven. The power is immediate and endless, traction and weight distribution as perfect as it gets. All the cars there were equipped with the Carbon Ceramic brakes and after a gazillion laps of people destroying these cars, did not produce even an ounce of brake fade, very little dust and little noise; Amazing and definitely worth the money. The pedal feel due to the electro-servo assist brakes was very responsive. The car also has a Agile Handling assist feature to generate a yaw moment that supports the driver's steering down the apex. One of the pro drivers said it best, if you crash this car, you pretty much did everything possible to do it. Its the definition of point and shoot! The car goes exactly where you want it to. The coolest thing was the pace in which the students were turning laps vs the hot laps by the the instructors. By no means am I saying we were pro's but they werent soooo much faster than we were and that was the goal. This was the goal, they want a human centered car that anyone and everyone can drive. They had a 911 Turbo S there for us to drive by comparison, and while the car was lightning quick, probably just as fast as the NSX or faster it didnt deliver the other all experience like the NSX did. Acura has created the next generation of supercars.
Needless to say, I can go on and on but I'm not much of a writer and would be happier to answer specific questions if you have them. I was one the fence about getting one before I went, lets just say this is my next purchase with a doubt!
The day was split into several sessions. The morning was classroom time, we were taught all about the car and the technology, the type of sales process Acura expects, the type of client who might buy one, the actual delivery of the car, and everything else you can imagine. The car is packed with new technology, think Porsche 918 but for 1/8 the price. The TMU or twin motors for the power drive unit, the first time twin turbos have been used by Honda. The Sport Hybrid system is amazing-connecting to the crankshaft to provide instant power, engine layout and why it's a dry sump unit. They also showed alot of videos by Jason Widmer, one of the lead project engineers on why they built the car the way they did. IDS-simply amazing and the launch control is insane. Although they haven't releases official wording on how it will effect warranty coverage due to repeated usage.
The key emphasis on the car was changing the way the supercar has been built. The car is built around the human, and has the driver in mind in every aspect. He described how he built one car that can take the place of having 4 supercars in your garage. The quiet mode is really cool. Imagine starting the car in your garage and not waking up your neighborhood.
Then we ate lunch and then the drive. First we started with the current Acura lineup, just to learn the track. They had pro race car driver there to assist. The surprise of the day was the RLX Sport Hybrid, a limited production car that no one even knows about. I think they make around 500 a years or so. I know we sold one new and one used one but really never paid much attention to the car. I drive a FWD RLX Advance model and while I do enjoy that car, this Sport Hybrid is insane. Supposedly in 2018 they will be more of them produced as it will share similar components to the MDX Sport Hybrid. I slid this thing around the road course with ease, as it downshifted and charged ahead and with amazing power. A car that should be on everyones must drive list.
Then the NSX, what can I say? I've driven everything and anything and can honestly say this is the most amazing car I've ever driven. The power is immediate and endless, traction and weight distribution as perfect as it gets. All the cars there were equipped with the Carbon Ceramic brakes and after a gazillion laps of people destroying these cars, did not produce even an ounce of brake fade, very little dust and little noise; Amazing and definitely worth the money. The pedal feel due to the electro-servo assist brakes was very responsive. The car also has a Agile Handling assist feature to generate a yaw moment that supports the driver's steering down the apex. One of the pro drivers said it best, if you crash this car, you pretty much did everything possible to do it. Its the definition of point and shoot! The car goes exactly where you want it to. The coolest thing was the pace in which the students were turning laps vs the hot laps by the the instructors. By no means am I saying we were pro's but they werent soooo much faster than we were and that was the goal. This was the goal, they want a human centered car that anyone and everyone can drive. They had a 911 Turbo S there for us to drive by comparison, and while the car was lightning quick, probably just as fast as the NSX or faster it didnt deliver the other all experience like the NSX did. Acura has created the next generation of supercars.
Needless to say, I can go on and on but I'm not much of a writer and would be happier to answer specific questions if you have them. I was one the fence about getting one before I went, lets just say this is my next purchase with a doubt!
