Honda today unveiled the Acura Advanced Sports Car Concept, a preview of the design direction for the successor to the Acura NSX. The concept is designed to incorporate a powerful front-mounted, V-10 engine and a new high-performance, rear-wheel-drive based version of Acura’s ‘Super Handling All-Wheel Drive’ (SH-AWD).
“Our intention was to design an exotic sports car that gracefully combines advanced technology and strong emotion,” said Jon Ikeda, principal designer, Acura Design Center. “The technical, machined surfaces and keen-edge design are balanced with sweeping curves and dramatic lines, all of which results in the ultimate exotic sports car.”
The production version of the new NSX will arrive at the Tokyo Motor Show in fall 2007. Concept gallery after the jump…


01/07, 3:39 PM
posted by:
Gilbere
LF-A Please!
01/07, 3:42 PM
posted by:
Hyperion
I read somewhere that the earliest proposed version of ATTS/SH systems for Honda was for rear wheel drive cars. This was then shot down in favor of implementing a FWD version in the new Prelude.
Nice to see the original intention of ATTS put into use.
01/07, 3:44 PM
posted by:
F451
Simply beautiful…
01/07, 4:00 PM
posted by:
Auto1013
Needs a grille, otherwise the design is awesome.
01/07, 4:10 PM
posted by:
Don
I like it
01/07, 4:26 PM
posted by:
04focus
Auto1013: with the design of Acura’s grilles recently, we’d all be much happier without a grille. This thing is hot. When are they going to show us some stats on that V10?
01/07, 4:30 PM
posted by:
???
i hope this stays a concept…. looks nothing like an acura
01/07, 4:45 PM
posted by:
adam713
Looks like the front of one of our fighter jets.
01/07, 4:53 PM
posted by:
Chris C.
Have you noticed that all concepts, with few exceptions, just look like. They all have the same lines; lines that’ll never make it to production. Gets old…
01/07, 5:43 PM
posted by:
TOZO
They’re not going to make ANYTHING even close to that. They’re just playing with our F#%@ing emotions!
01/07, 6:31 PM
posted by:
Auto.observer
let’s hope this goes the way of the european civic and keeps it’s lines =P
01/07, 6:33 PM
posted by:
dmanero
This design is awesome, minor changes need on the rear. but the flow of the body looks incredible.
01/07, 6:42 PM
posted by:
A4
nicee id take this over that pile of a lexus anyday. im glad they kept the taillights all the way across like the last NSX
01/07, 8:22 PM
posted by:
Tim_s
The original NSX is still lightyears better looking than this monstrosity. I can’t find a single line on this car that I like. Is it really a successor if it’s engine has a different number of cylinders and located somewhere else.
01/07, 8:41 PM
posted by:
James
GT-R goddamnit. Honda can kiss my ass.
01/07, 9:10 PM
posted by:
Letta
Can someone tell me where the back window is?
01/07, 9:27 PM
posted by:
Ricardo Head
This design has no balls. The Nissan GTR kicks its ass.
01/07, 9:59 PM
posted by:
leviathan18
i cant see pics
01/07, 10:21 PM
posted by:
Elvio
Hmm…..nothing new. BORING.
01/07, 10:38 PM
posted by:
J-Ro
The all new, Acura Corvette. (?)
01/07, 10:52 PM
posted by:
racecarengineer
simply amazing…..first the GT-R, and now this beautiful piece. love the lines, this will evolve into a nice piece of machinery.
01/08, 12:34 AM
posted by:
Scott Kempton
Reminds me of the Lyle Lovett song from several years ago, about the woman who looked really good from behind, and really good from the side, but UGLY from the front.
Actually, I really like the lines along the sides, and the tail light treatment, and especially the little side marker light on the front fenders. But the nose somehow looks dated to me, maybe as though it had been the inspiration for the current Acuras four or five years ago.
01/08, 12:52 AM
posted by:
Scott Kempton
J-Ro—-Now that I look at it again, those front fender peaks are pretty reminiscent of Corvette, aren’t they?
So is it just me, or have the automakers really gotten a grip on building beautiful cars lately? I know that there are some duds on the show car circuit, but it seems that for the most part, I really like not only the concept cars, but the new/updated production stuff too. GM is really on a roll as far as I’m concerned (I saw a new Saturn Outlook yesterday in the showroom—-very nice, both in design and execution), and I even like the Ford Interceptor and the Lincoln MKR.
01/08, 1:36 AM
posted by:
roadrage
this car somewhat disappoints. even though there are some interesting surface development, the car needs stronger face and some substance. i definately see some resemblance to the acura advance sedan concept unveiled in LA, but that was not particularly impressive either. also, the matte-ish, brushed metal color didnt really help under the lights at the cobo hall. personally, the production Audi R8 is a lot better looking, more subtantial, more resolved, even more striking than this concept acura. while i do appreciate the direction acura is taking and the effort they put in, i think they probably will have to produce couple more cars to successfully carry out that theme they are going for. mdx, rdx, advance sedan, this sport concept….they are all begging for more. something is not there yet.
01/08, 2:09 AM
posted by:
55amg
looks nice but i see abit of lexus LF_A in it. Not very original.
PS what do they mean by rear-wheel-drive based version of Acura’s ‘Super Handling All-Wheel Drive? is it like a rear biased all wheel drive or something?
01/08, 3:05 AM
posted by:
Veda
The original NSX has always evoked strong emotions among enthusiasts. Many will be disappointed regardless of how good this new sports car is. But the bottom line is that Honda can’t mess around when it comes to its performance.
01/08, 7:30 AM
posted by:
oddglat
Amazing looking car, at last Honda have officially confirmed this car will be the next NSX!
remember that Honda’s NSX put out 280bp with a 3.2 V6, Can you imagine what a V10 form Honda/acura would put out bhp wise!!
With the new Nissan GT-R, Honda NSX, Toyota supra, Mazda’s new Rx- 2009 will be a sweat year for sure.
01/08, 9:45 AM
posted by:
Renton
Honda rules.
I’m sure the upcoming V10 will be a screamer.
01/08, 11:06 AM
posted by:
Jazz
I like. Now lets see how far it will transform as it goes to production. I know that the rear exhaust\bumper and window will defintely change.
I ask the same question as Tim_s. Is this an evolution of the NSX or a ‘reimagining’?
Would much rather have the V10 in mid engine format. Then I could live out my F1 fantasies
01/08, 1:35 PM
posted by:
JerInTheBox
I think it’s crap. Looks like an R8 and a Corvette had a baby and it came out retarded and looking like their god-awful concept at the LA Show. Which is a shame because I was really looking forward to this one.
01/08, 2:00 PM
posted by:
CTS DRIVER
all new acura corvette cts.
01/08, 2:04 PM
posted by:
theshadow
Gotta agree: it really DOES look like a corvette. And an unfinished, rejected concept for the C6 at that. You could put chevy badges on it and not flinch for a second.
Sorry to say but the latest Honda concepts really REALLY suck in the styling department…with the exception of the Accord Coupe concept.
01/08, 2:12 PM
posted by:
Fasterbater
I think it’s hot. Build it, big H. Build it…. oh yeah, wtf happenned to the near-perfect HSC concept from the 2003 TAS?
01/08, 7:39 PM
posted by:
autonutt
Sure this is a nice looking concept.. but as a successor to the NSX, it simply pales in comparison to the jaw-dropping HSC concept, which still looks more modern and exotic than this thing does. Downsize this to be the S2000 successor and bring on an updated HSC for Acura!
01/09, 12:01 PM
posted by:
edgarp
I like it. The car really has a brute elegance about it. For that price point though, I’d probably get something else, but it is definitely very nice.
It would be nice to be able to test drive this car and actually have the ability to consider buying it! Seriously, who needs a mortgage when you can have a NSX.
01/09, 12:04 PM
posted by:
shiftright
ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS!!
Classically beautiful and menacingly handsome!
Just the car Honda needed!
I hope the production version is not too diluted from this stunning concept.
Now let us make sure the engine and the handling are up to par!
GO HONDA!!!
01/09, 12:44 PM
posted by:
phastt
This doesn’t deserve the nsx name. If it’s not MR leave the nsx a legend and create a new name other than Advanced Sports Car Concept.
01/10, 12:41 AM
posted by:
Webran61
wow. The similarities between this, the LF-A, the new hybrid Toyota sports car, and the GT-R are astounding. Out of all of those, I’d go with the LF-A.
01/10, 4:54 PM
posted by:
Blakkarr
I have high hopes for this car. As a fan of sports cars in general I have to say, Honda has really been dragging their feet on this one. The NSX was underpowered and underwhelming from after the first year. I want to believe Honda knows what it is doing, but if it never does it, then they obviously don’t. While I would really prefer that HONDA keep the Mid-rear engine placement, if it helps this car, then I can’t argue with their engineers. I’m not a Honda fan, especially since they started their continuous program of up-sizing the Civic (the current Civic excepted) , the elimination of the CRX, and the Prelude, the half-@$$ed Del Sol, the uninspiring S2000, and the hideous Ridgeline… Acura is not my choice for a performance or luxury mark but the NSX is, to me, their only redeeming product in my mind.
01/13, 1:36 PM
posted by:
Jon Luc
Looks like a cross between the Corvette & the Salstice, with the Audi R8 front fascia, but with angles. Looks good though.
01/18, 11:30 PM
posted by:
jaq
Good looks spoiled by the horendous Corvette like front end. Needs more character. This is the time when Acura could make great strides in climbing the sports car ladder and they may miss out yet again.
02/07, 6:37 PM
posted by:
r0c5t4r
This is QUITE disappointing :(. I have always been a big fan of the NSX and have always thought of it as my in-reach dream car but this is just really fugly. The front looks like an early 90’s Corvette while the rear looks just ridiculous, oh and the wheels wow just plain nasty. The only bright spot is the engine, hopefully they stick to their word with the V10. The previous generation had everything going for it except for the engine, they should just put the V10 in it.
Disappointed fan of the NSX.
05/27, 10:45 PM
posted by:
Ian
eww… i hope that the actual car itself(weither it be an NSX or not) will look nothing like that