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Acura NSX design debate delaying launch

01/21/2008, 11:57 AM

By Drew Johnson

Despite Honda’s intentions to move its Acura brand upscale, the marque is still without an image vehicle. The NSX used to hold that position in the Acura lineup, but Honda failed to replace the halo car after its production ended in 2005. Honda showed its Advanced Sports Car Concept at last year’s Detroit Auto Show, a preview of the next-generation NSX, but failed to deliver a production version — as Honda said it would — at the 2007 Tokyo show.

According to Dick Colliver, executive vice president of American Honda Motor Co., the delay has been because designers can’t agree on the NSX’s styling. “All of the designers are working together on the NSX, but they can’t agree on the styling,” he told Automotive News.

Collier also admitted that Acura left the last-generation NSX on the market for too long without any significant upgrades. He said that trend would not continue on the next iteration of the car. “We must get it right. We must have the right image. A lot of it is perception with the customer,” Collier said.

While details on the new NSX remain scarce, it is known that the car will be powered by a V10 powerplant.

Honda says the next-generation NSX will hit the market before the redesigned Acura RL, which will bow in 2010.

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01/21, 12:14 PM

posted by:

sctdiverdown

It’s a shame …..Honda had built an amazing car before
they kind of forgot about it and concentrated their energy on “economy” cars ….When they had focus they proved they could build something no one had really seen before ….Even though it was never properly updated over the years like the competition.

I have driven NSX’S over the years and they are a blast. I hope Honda doesn’t blow this next generation. They will never be forgiven on this one if they screw it up …..

01/21, 12:28 PM

posted by:

Blakkarr

It’ll either be that good, or it’s that bad. I’m liking the Lexus LF-A, and I’m hoping that Honda’s aspirations to take Acura up-market will be spearheaded by this car.

01/21, 12:51 PM

posted by:

sctdiverdown

I agree – it’s going to be a home run or a disaster …
The Lexus LF-A is a good idea and great performing car -
I think it’s pretty ugly though ! It’s proportions are a little out of whack …

I think Honda is going to forsake the mid engine arrangement. I think THATS a bad idea ….

01/21, 1:36 PM

posted by:

lyndon_h

I hope they dont call this car the NSX. An NSX should be MidEngined. I dont know why they dont build the HSC, well i do. They would be able to sell a SL – like car much better than a 911 type car. There are only a small group of enthusiasts that would buy a pure sports car without going to Porsche or F.

01/21, 2:28 PM

posted by:

Astonman12

mid engine V10 would be the best design i think for Acura.

01/21, 2:30 PM

posted by:

F3INT))AP3X

As a current NSX owner I of course will be pissed if they don’t do it right. I’m already disappointed about the front engine even if it is a V10, but who knows. If they can mount the engine mid-front and give it good weight distribution (52/48 drift spec =) then I’m all for waiting.

01/21, 2:32 PM

posted by:

DeansterTJ

Best design team is whoever Lamborghini uses. Pure magic

01/21, 2:45 PM

posted by:

F3INT))AP3X

The NSX is one of the most underrated and misunderstood sports cars ever, show me another car like it that can go to the track after a round of golf and stop for groceries on the way back. Although slightly underpowered for its class and price it will embarrass cars twice its price on a mountain road.

01/21, 2:57 PM

posted by:

F3INT))AP3X

O forgive me lol. GT-R isn’t even out anywhere except Japan so It didn’t really cross my mind. And although the GT-R is much faster for a slightly smaller price I don’t think it will come close to having the daily drivability that the NSX does. Ever tried driving almost 500 horsepower in a traffic jam? =/

01/21, 3:22 PM

posted by:

SwerveEarly

Japs so Lucky. $100 steaks and $6 gal gas, $600/month just for parking spot in Tokyo.

01/21, 3:32 PM

posted by:

F3INT))AP3X

LOL

01/21, 3:49 PM

posted by:

johnnycanuck

Anyone else get the feeling they’re just trying too hard. Like Deanster says, get Lamborghini’s stylists to create the shape. Actually, I’m still baffled how they came up with such a beautiful skin for the old NSX. I still look twice when I see one drive by.

01/21, 4:03 PM

posted by:

CA36GTP

Yawn…how long have we been hearing about the new NSX? Since before the old one even stopped production. Yet we still see nothing but the same 2 or 3 images of the same featureless concept. I’ll believe it when I see it in the showroom.

01/21, 6:30 PM

posted by:

zoomzoomr

The original NSX design has held up very well since its 1990 debut, and still turns my head whenever one passes by. The HSC concept of a few years ago was a stunning evolution of the NSX, with bold flared sides and modern greenhouse that wouldn’t have been out of place on a $300K Ferrari, and should have been built IMMEDIATELY.. but Honda instead seems insistent on pushing the weird styling agenda of its recent Acura sedan and coupe concepts on the new NSX, and from what I have seen they are neither contemporary or good looking. I say build the HSC!

01/21, 8:36 PM

posted by:

Get Real

Argue about design ???? From Japan ????

Oh for the day that GM or Ford had drag-out fights about car design in the studio.

Today the engineer and bean counter do it all.

01/21, 8:40 PM

posted by:

global_lightning

Acura has become a boat-anchor around Honda’s neck. All of their cars had lower sales last year, only the MDX and RDX gained. In particular the RL has been a huge disappointment; its nothing more than an overpriced, bloated TL. Acura needs two new vehicles: a true hier to the NSX, and an ultra-luxury vehicle that can compete in the $60K range. Give them both a V10: the sportscar tuned for HP while the luxury sedan is tuned for torque. Otherwise tank the marque and rebadge its cars as Hondas (like everywhere else in the world)

01/21, 9:03 PM

posted by:

Veda

Indeed, I saw the HSC in person when it came out in the Tokyo Motor Show. It was good enough to be the next NSX. Too bad they decided on making it a GT or whatever… now look at the mess they’re in.

01/22, 11:31 AM

posted by:

Z06ified

Sounds like a typical Japanese company – they can’t agree on anything quickly, and no one person will assume responsibility for anything – everything has to be a group decision. I know, I used to work for a Japanese company – I saw it first hand.

01/22, 3:29 PM

posted by:

rsg

Ummm, anybody at Honda ever heard the term “Head Designer”? End of problem. More to this story, perhaps??

01/23, 9:46 PM

posted by:

Impulsive

There’s probably nothing they can do to top the old NSX in terms of aesthetics. And that was probably due to a lucky lining up of stars. As mentioned, Acuras today look horrible and that design influence may be what is hindering a new direction. Also mentioned, the stigma with Acura, for me, is its badging … a CSX is an overpriced Civic … I see no real prestige with the brand. Then again, how prestigious are any other brands, really?

02/01, 1:46 PM

posted by:

jackjimturkey

Get it together, honda!

 
 
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