Euro Rivals Put Brakes On Japanese Supercars

[ss5153]

Euro Rivals Put Brakes On Japanese Supercars


Japanese plans to take the supercar world by storm have been put on hold - because European rivals are being viewed as just too powerful.

Originally, Honda, Nissan and Toyota had considered introducing theirNSX, GT-R and Supra replacements by 2005. However, since the launch of Europeans rivals such as Lamborghini's 571bhp Murciélago, the 660bhp Ferrari Enzo and 462bhp Porsche 911 GT2, the debuts have now been pushed back.

At the Tokyo show, Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn said: "We will launch the GT-R in 2007, but not before." Sources from Honda, meanwhile, said that the company's new NSX, based on the radical HSC concept, won't appear before 2006. Engineers have been ordered back to the drawing board to produce machines capable of matching their European rivals' huge output.

Currently, Japanese firms are bound by a gentleman's agreement to keep to less than 280bhp. But petrol and electric hybrid engines allow makers to develop powerful units without compromising fuel efficiency or emissions standards.

 

[JAYS NSX]

Euro Rivals Put Brakes On Japanese Supercars

Currently, Japanese firms are bound by a gentleman's agreement to keep to less than 280bhp. But petrol and electric hybrid engines allow makers to develop powerful units without compromising fuel efficiency or emissions standards.

I wish these 'gentlemen' would just pull up themselves by their bootstraps and produce some horsepower/torque monsters!!

 

[Zuerst]

FYI there is already 280+HP Japanese cars on sale...

 

[NetViper]

Where did you read that?

Maybe the NSX will get a 500HP V10 afterall

 

[Viper Driver]

If this is true then I would call this great news!

 

[Wickeddeus]

Where did you read that?

Maybe the NSX will get a 500HP V10 afterall

I remember reading this somewhere too.....autoweek.com? I don't remember now. Anyway, if Honda puts a V10 in it, I'm sure it will make more then 500HP.

 

[NetViper]

Remember this link:

http://www.sportscartesting.com/news/honda/id63/pg276

FACTS
· Honda Phantom V10 project
· By designer Thomas Mikkelsen
· In collaboration with Honda R&D
· V10
· 4.0-litre, 40 vales
· 550bhp
· 255/35 ZR 18
· 285/35 ZR 20


My opinion of this engine..... BRING IT ON!!!!

 

[NeoNSX]

If that's true, that's a pathetic excuse to delay release. Storms don't wait in the real world ... why should they wait?

By 2007 Ferrari/Lambo/Porsche will have their new releases.... geez....

 

[NetViper]

If that's true, that's a pathetic excuse to delay release. Storms don't wait in the real world ... why should they wait?

By 2007 Ferrari/Lambo/Porsche will have their new releases.... geez....

That is why they really need to have a kick ass set-up ready to go and also a plan to update it over the next 10 years to keep it competetive

 

[ss5153]

I found the news at...

I found the news at:

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/?[url]http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/ae_news_story.php?id=41396[/url]

I guess that is why the new HSC will be based on an electric hybrid engine, this would allow makers to develop more powerful units without compromising fuel efficiency or emissions standards. I would say about 450 HP with the new hybrid engine, the more the better of course.

 

[NetViper]

Currently, Japanese firms are bound by a gentleman's agreement to keep to less than 280bhp. But petrol and electric hybrid engines allow makers to develop powerful units without compromising fuel efficiency or emissions standards.

I can bet that Toyota and Nissan are NOT making any hybrids. They are going to have kick ass high HP machines.

I sure hope HONDA follows suit.

I still think a hybrid is a total waste. Until someone here buys the Civic Hybrid and races it around a track for 10 laps and lets me know the results I will stand by that.

 

[NetViper]

I don't understand if honda already made this 550 V10 Phantom engine, why are they not using that??? I think EVERYONE on this site and every other auto enthuisiast site would be all over it.

 

[NeoNSX]

That is why they really need to have a kick ass set-up ready to go and also a plan to update it over the next 10 years to keep it competetive

EXACTLY!!!
If i worked for Honda I would say "You're Hired" on the spot!
That is the attitude i like to read! <IMG SRC="http://www.nsxprime.com/forums/images/icons/icon14.gif">



V-10 is a 'daddy' in terms on engines, but also in terms of fuel costs. i'd be over it if there was an option to shut it down to 4 or 6 cylinders for everyday use... then back up to a V-10 for friday nights.

 

[StockTeg]

Doesn't anyone else find this information to be false. I mean a stock Supra being a rival to a Enzo? Yeah right. It's not likely going to happen. Those Euro cars cost 2x, 3x, 4x times more than any of the Japanese super cars. They are not even going to be in the same class. The NSX is an exception.
I'm hoping that the next NSX will have to 450+ hp as rumored. It'll give the Lambo and the Porsche a run for thier money, but not the Enzo.

 

[NetViper]

Doesn't anyone else find this information to be false. I mean a stock Supra being a rival to a Enzo? Yeah right. It's not likely going to happen. Those Euro cars cost 2x, 3x, 4x times more than any of the Japanese super cars. They are not even going to be in the same class. The NSX is an exception.
I'm hoping that the next NSX will have to 450+ hp as rumored. It'll give the Lambo and the Porsche a run for thier money, but not the Enzo.

I find the enzo and merci to be a little far fretched, but the current NSX is not competitive with the 360 or gallardo. So that should at least be the introduction goal. After that they just need to take the porsche route and update the engine every couple years to stay in there.

 

[Lazarus]

Hmmm...I'm somewhat baffled by all this. I don't really have an opinion about Toyota and Nissan, but there's surely nothing for Honda/Acura to worry about. The Europeans have yet to build anything that can come close to what the NSX truly is: the most well-balanced, reliable, non-temperamental, high-technology sports car that handles as well as it goes in a straight line. Sure, some cars (actually, LOTS of cars) have more horsepower, but how much of that is actually usable on city streets? Is a Murcielago at 3/10ths really more fun than an NSX at 7/10ths? I doubt it. I've driven the old Aston Martin Virage, the engine note sounds strangely like a Hoover. I've driven a Maserati 3200GT, but outward vision is utterly laughable. I've driven a Ferrari F355 Spyder F1, and the creaks and rattles on a car with only 7,000 km on it makes you wonder what the car will be like after 20,000 km. Ever notice that these are things no NSX driver ever need worry about?

Folks, check out the lines on the NSX. If this isn't the most lithe sports car (save the Lamborghini Miura) to have ever hit the streets, then I don't know what is. This is the Carl Lewis of sports cars, as far as I'm concerned, and none of the steroid-laden Ben Johnsons of the automotive world has what it takes to stir my soul.

There are only two truly relevant sports cars in the world: The NSX, and the Porsche 911, and of the two, I'd take the Honda anyday.

Sorry for the rant.

 

[azndng]

all in all, everything is rumored and speculated. sure, all enthusiasts would love to see high hp for the 2nd gen nsx. i personally would love to see honda release something that would completely destroy italians and germans. will it happen? maybe. honda might not release mind blowing euro hp, but still, with good power/weight ratio, the car will still be able to 'hang', considering... the nsx (s, r, zanardi) still is being compared to the supercars of 2003.

to add another rumor. toyota decided to release a japanese super car (exotic genre) called the gt500 (supra replacement) rumored once again to have upwards 500hp. not too sure if they scrapped it.. or keeping it on the DL. for nissan, i have't heard anything with super car releases. but i did read some articles about the skyline replacement.. it had pics that looked similar to the 350z, with twin turbo.

.02

 

[Lazarus]

The new Skyline is already out in Japan. Check out the latest issue of Top Gear and you'll see that it does indeed resemble the Fairlady Z (350 Z) to a large extent.

I've heard that Honda's going to do a wait-and-see with the next iteration of the NSX...especially with regard to what Toyota plans on doing with its new Supra replacement. Rumour has it that whether Toyota proceeds with the new car is dependent on its success in Formula One. So if we want to see a high-powered NSX, as Honda's answer to the new Toyota, we'd all better pray Toyota starts winning some F1 races.

 

[azndng]

Rumour has it that whether Toyota proceeds with the new car is dependent on its success in Formula One. So if we want to see a high-powered NSX, as Honda's answer to the new Toyota, we'd all better pray Toyota starts winning some F1 races.

toyota win f1? they did horrible last season, and last race in japan. i was glad to see sato return and get a pretty good finish (6th) considering, he hasn't raced in about a year. more speculations, honda's new light weight engine is to be good to contend with the top 3 manufacturers next year. and with takuma and jensen having good teamwork in the practice sessions, i hope that honda can regain the F1 thrown.

 

[danpiu]

II

azndng
you are right. but do not underestimate Toyota. Their efforts are huge enormous! It is only a question of time when they will get the first win in Formula one. Beside BMW, Honda has probably build the best and strongest (high rev) engine this year to be competitive against the top 3 next year. The target or benchmark will be Renault and Jenson will catch them all. Believe me, 2004 it will be the year of Honda. (with Michelin tyrees)
my tip for 2004:

1. McLaren
2. Williams-BMW
3. Ferrari
4. BAR-HONDA
5. Renault
6. Toyota


2005:

1. BAR-Honda and Jenson

 

[azndng]

damn, your F1 list seems a little mixed up to me. personally, i still think none of the manufacturers can touch ferrarri till a few more years. with schumacher winning (once again..) the budget for new designs are gonna be HUGE! that's to add to their already HUGE budget on the cars anyhow. last season, honda had one of the worse engines(reliability and heaviest of all engines), but with capable drivers, they were able to get so-so results.

call me bias, but i hate toyota. no specific reason, i just like one japanese manufacturer in f1. but realistically. last season (or was it the year before that?), toyota released a very high hp car, but still didn't do too well.. although i think its mainly due to drivers.

with talks of montoya leaving bmw, and going to mclaren, that's what i'm pressuming ur reason for going with mclaren as #1 position

2004 prediction

1. ferrarri
2. bmw
3. bar/mclaren
4. bar/mclaren
5. who cares, we talking honda here =)

i believe that if reliabiltiy, and the right strategy played by honda, they will be able to fend off one of the top 3 teams, to take 3rd. HOPEFULLy. i don't think raikkonen will be able to repeat his last years season, that's why i put mclaren down 3/4. isn't it speculated that montoya leaving bmw in 2005 tho?

 

[danpiu]

I do not agree with you concerning the weak Honda engine last season you described. Maybe it was heavy but very powerful. Have you noticed the last gp in suzuka? it was said that this engine has been one of the powerful engine, maybe the most strongest. unfortunately it was not reliable during the season.
your list maybe ok, but McLaren is to be complete a very strong package in formula one.
forget ferrari, with bridgestone tyrees they are not competitve !