The NSX was a MUCH better car than the 348 ….legend has it
Ferrai actually bought an NSX to check it out and see what
was done with this wonderful car.

Unfortunately – Honda became bored with sports cars and itself
became boring, working on “economy” cars among other things….

Meanwhile Ferrari learned a lesson and created the 355.

The great strength of the NSX was it’s weight, balance, and
overall competence ….i have driven many over the years
and i believe while not the fastest car to drive (it was never intented to be anyway) it is a BLAST….Plus it is wonderfully
made and reliable.

Gotta love that mid engined car …am buying a 2002 NSX soon.

My dateline was off. I had forgotten the dates for F348, though I would have to see the outcomes between that car aand the NSX, though I have no doubt the NSX was far less expensive. But then that is what FERRARI does: Extremely overpriced sports cars. The F355 was a major correction and improvement.

But considering that these new car is nothing like the last, this new “NSX” is not the product of any long running work based on the old NSX. It’s a totally new car and needs to be approached as such.

I think the best way to go about achieving this goal is to take a guess at what the V-Spec will do, and crushing that time. (Honda has to assume from Nissan’s past attempts that the V-Spec won’t be the last step) So what Honda really should be doing is hitting a sub-7 minute time! lol …

I dont think it will be so simple to write off RWD against the GT-R35.

The fastest car period at Nurburgring is the Radical SR8 post 6min 55sec. But that it literally a mini race car with a monster engine. But it is a RWD.

The LEXUS LF-A prototype cut 7min 24sec… its not even finished and it aced the Vspec by five seconds. It’s got a stupid fast engine and it made more like a actual race car than the GT-R35, giving it better balance and control. The LF-A is basically a front engine Formula car with a detuned Formula engine under in a full body system.

HONDA could ace the GT-R35 Vspec with “SH-RWD” and a fast “Formula based” engine. I don’t think that HONDA would go through all this trouble only to place behind the “old man” on the block, the R35. AWD sounds like an option but only if HONDA, likely chomping at the bit to get back into international GT racing, does not want to race against the world for more than bragging rights. To compete, in open sanctioned events, they have to have a car that can be stripped for racing easily and that means RWD, easily dropping the clutch packs for a normal limited slip diff.

Besides, despite the GT-R reputation as a high performer, it is still a relative pariah for dialing the driver’s actual ability out and being basically “a great sport coupe with training wheels”. HONDA it known for making cars for High Level drivers to drive at a high levels. Cars that give fairly little help. It is debatable whether or not the HONDA will need AWD as the fastest cars are still RWD only. What is clear, is that the CORVETTE is somewhat upsetting proof that the basics of low weight and high power is not enough anymore, at least, away from the track.

I think AWD is still optional.

FERRARI is working a new “top” car. Its emphasis in on light weight not more power. The car is said to weigh as little as 2200lbs, but still have the same engine as the Enzo making 650hp.

The overall formula sounds like the McLaren F1; weighing next to nothing, more horsepower that horse sense, and shaved and striped to rip. The McLaren F1 could do 240mph in “only” 650hp. It could be interesting to say the least.

The 1990s NSX would have gone up against the F355 (as both were new cars then), not the F360 Modena, and would have had it hat handed to it anyway. the NSX simply did not have the power to match the F355, 360, or the up coming 430, nor had the ability to handle the power needed. The NSX sufferes the same problem most higher level Japanese performance cars suffer: they are a closed product.

That is, these cars are so tuned and tightened to what they ship with it is nearly impossible to improve the machine in any way without breaking something else. Increase horsepower and you sacrifice handing. Improve handling and you sac agility and/or top speed. The GT-R35 Vspec? a most 60hp increase and shaving 300-400 lbs (i forget the actual numbers), but if you ask NISSAN engineers, they will likely say the Vspec is what the GT-R35 was supposed to be. I wouldn’t doubt it.

But HONDA more than any other Japanese automaker can make a great car but typically makes the car so focused that upgrading it it a very tricky thing (CIVICs not withstanding). The car will pass of fail went it ships. There really isn’t going to be much of a second chance.

I personally am sick of the ring being the only standard used. Use it to tune a suspension fine, but maybe the best car should be one that’s consistently good at all tracks like Laguna, etc.

GT-R is a monster.

I love it.