Spy Shots: Honda NSX prototype runs the ‘ring in 7:37, equipped with paddle shift gearbox
Posted on Thursday 19 June 2008
Update: Our spy photographers have been busy tracking the new Honda NSX prototype at Germany’s Nurburgring test track and have managed to hand time the car with some stunning results. In this early phase of testing the new NSX is already doing lap times of 7:38m, not far off some of the best official times ever recorded at the circuit. The time was achieved with some traffic on the circuit, but it’s not possible to judge how it affected the run.
The photographers also managed to get a shot of the interior. There’s not much to see, but one thing is certain, this car is being operated with paddle shifters located behind the steering wheel. With an expected 2010-2011 release date, the new NSX is therefore likely to be powered by a dual-clutch gearbox.
Original: Honda’s NSX replacement has had several false starts, with the company scrapping one of its original designs – the Acura Advanced Sports Car Concept - after the public’s largely negative response to the 2007 Detroit show car. Designers were sent back to the drawing board and Honda was forced to abandon its original plans to show the car at the following Tokyo Motor Show.
Despite the drawbacks, engineers were able to continue testing the new mechanicals for the car by using a modified S2000 body and we saw the first test-mules running laps at the Nurburgring by the middle of last year. The latest round of spy shots suggest Honda has come up with a final design for the car, as seen by this latest prototype once again spotted at the Nurburgring in Germany that’s very likely to be the replacement for the legendary Honda supercar.
Speaking with MotorAuthority back in April, Acura spokesman Mike Spencer confirmed several details of the upcoming NSX replacement. The car will definitely be powered by a V10 engine, and it will be equipped with the company’s SH-AWD system. The lack of intakes at the rear of the car also confirms the NSX replacement will feature a front-engine configuration, as opposed to the mid-engine layout of the former.
There has been some discussion of a possible four-wheel steering system (4WS) for the NSX replacement, but Spencer suggested the SH-AWD system would achieve most of the benefits of 4WS without the added complexity.
The NSX replacement is now expected to arrive sometime in 2010 as a 2011 model with final pricing expected to be revealed closer to the car’s release date.
Posted on Thursday 19 June 2008
Update: Our spy photographers have been busy tracking the new Honda NSX prototype at Germany’s Nurburgring test track and have managed to hand time the car with some stunning results. In this early phase of testing the new NSX is already doing lap times of 7:38m, not far off some of the best official times ever recorded at the circuit. The time was achieved with some traffic on the circuit, but it’s not possible to judge how it affected the run.
The photographers also managed to get a shot of the interior. There’s not much to see, but one thing is certain, this car is being operated with paddle shifters located behind the steering wheel. With an expected 2010-2011 release date, the new NSX is therefore likely to be powered by a dual-clutch gearbox.
Original: Honda’s NSX replacement has had several false starts, with the company scrapping one of its original designs – the Acura Advanced Sports Car Concept - after the public’s largely negative response to the 2007 Detroit show car. Designers were sent back to the drawing board and Honda was forced to abandon its original plans to show the car at the following Tokyo Motor Show.
Despite the drawbacks, engineers were able to continue testing the new mechanicals for the car by using a modified S2000 body and we saw the first test-mules running laps at the Nurburgring by the middle of last year. The latest round of spy shots suggest Honda has come up with a final design for the car, as seen by this latest prototype once again spotted at the Nurburgring in Germany that’s very likely to be the replacement for the legendary Honda supercar.
Speaking with MotorAuthority back in April, Acura spokesman Mike Spencer confirmed several details of the upcoming NSX replacement. The car will definitely be powered by a V10 engine, and it will be equipped with the company’s SH-AWD system. The lack of intakes at the rear of the car also confirms the NSX replacement will feature a front-engine configuration, as opposed to the mid-engine layout of the former.
There has been some discussion of a possible four-wheel steering system (4WS) for the NSX replacement, but Spencer suggested the SH-AWD system would achieve most of the benefits of 4WS without the added complexity.
The NSX replacement is now expected to arrive sometime in 2010 as a 2011 model with final pricing expected to be revealed closer to the car’s release date.
