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I drove the NSX and R8 V10 Plus over the weekend on a track. What an experience! Both of these pull hard in the straightaway and my butt dyno can't really detect much, if any difference in terms of power. Both would get into triple digit speeds very quickly. The NSX in particular is so damn fun to drive. It's a freaking complicated machine on paper but out on the track, everything felt so natural. It didn't feel like it's the machine driving for you. Instead, it gave me the feeling that I was a really talented driver and it just kept giving me more and more confidence to push harder each lap. The handling was phenomenal. Despite just wearing Bridgestone Potenza S001 and not the Trofeo R, there's more grip than I thought. The brakes equipped on the NSX I drove were just the normal steel ones. But they didn't exhibit any fade in the 8 min or so of track time that I had in it. The throttle response was so linear and immediately. There wasn't even a hint of turbo lag. Step on it and it just goes, and you can easily modulate the pedal for the exact amount of power you need. No need to wait for boost to be built up. It felt as lag free as the V10 in the R8. The shifts were very quick and smooth.
I can see why people felt the interior is a bit cheap. To me, the door handle grip gotta look better. The metallic look just doesn't look very realistic. Otherwise, I actually quite like the interior.
Jealous dude! Was this some kind of event? Or one of those rent-a-supercar deals?
But yah i have never driven the NSX but have tried the R8+... The thing is the sound of that V10.... god damn...
Haha on paper the R8 is faster in a straight line. I think the R8 traps 129mph or something and the NSX is more like 126mph. The front motors of the NSX also fade out after 120mph. But from my experience, the track was only long enough for the car to reach 130mph, so the motors fading out wasn't significant. And as you could imagine, 3mph difference in 1/4 mile trap speed might be a little bit difficult to detect.
But man, What a joy to drive a 8000rpm V10 powered car on a track. I think that's the single biggest selling point of the R8.
Originally Posted by Costco
Jealous dude! Was this some kind of event? Or one of those rent-a-supercar deals?
It's one of those supercar rental thing in Las Vegas. The weather was perfect too - I think it was like 70F. One weird thing about the R8 was that after 4 laps, the instructor asked me to pull in to the pit to let the car cool down a bit, but this wasn't needed for the NSX. I don't know if the R8 in general has overheating issues or that particular R8 might have some issues. Not a big deal as I had the chance to gather my thoughts and calm the f down in the pit while the car was cooling down...lol.
This sinister carbon-bodied brute above can be yours for £415,000. A steep price over a normal NSX, we admit.
But this is a full-bore GT3 racing car, eligible for championships across North America, Europe (N24 and Blancpain), Asia, Japan (GT300), Australia and the Intercontinental GT championship. And look how much carbon you get for that…
Here is a photogallery of a lowered Acura NSX featuring our Vossen Forged VPS-314 wheel in our very popular "Brickell Bronze" finish. Every Vossen Forged Wheel is specifically engineered for each Acura NSX. Thus we made adjustments based on this particular model's lowered ride height.
Thank you kindly. I actually just got these today... been sitting on them awhile smh but well worth it. Spent half a day at Acura Canada shooting them. I'll have more soon.
Rumor mill: Type R to come in 2020, 641hp, more carbon, wing and racecar bits.
Japanese media says a higher performance NSX is coming. The conclusion? Acura's flagship is about to get the Type R treatment.
According to Spyder 7, the NSX Type R will feature powertrain components derived from the NSX GTR race car, increasing output from the current 573 horsepower to an estimated 641. It's not clear whether its hybrid motors would be part of the equation.
Like the NSX GT3, much of the the body would have carbon fiber construction. The grille, front air dam — for which there is already a patent for a design not found on the current NSX — and side skirts would exhibit exposed carbon fiber. A large rear wing and a black canopy hearken back to the Type R NSXes of the 1990s. Of course, it would be finished in Championship White, the color of Honda's Formula 1 Grand Prix winning RA272 of 1965.
Spyder 7 says the expected release date is sometime in 2020, with the price in Japan at around ¥35 million, which is equivalent to about $320,000 US dollars. However, the regular NSX currently sells for the yen equivalent of $217,000 in Japan, while the US price is just $157,000.
Sounds cool, but I can't help but think GM will introduce the Corvette Zora with 700+ hp at the same auto show as the Type R NSX
Good point. The new mid engine Corvette will be a true disruptor to the traditional lower end supercar segment (NSX, 911 Turbo, 570S, R8, etc.) and will see how much sales the Corvette takes away from all these cars.
Though I suspect it won't be as much. You can buy a C7 Z06 for less than 70k now that has more hp than NSX/911 Turbo/570S/R8 and we know the C7 is a track monster. The C7 GS essentially is right up there with these cars in terms of pure track performance. So people who like Corvettes.....really really really like Corvettes and will not be interested in the perceived snobbery/non-American cars of the exotics.
But will see if the other buyers comes over to the C8 mid engine platform. With the interior/paint issues that C7 has had, I think GM has to really step it up if they want to compete with the european/asian lower end supercars.
After two model years and about 1,000 deliveries to the U.S., Acura's given the 2019 model a few enhancements and a small price bump. The car debuted at The Quail, A Motorsport Gathering, during the festivities surrounding Pebble Beach. While there are no major powertrain changes, some new color options and a few chassis refinements will be appreciated by NSX fans.
Let's start with the hardware, since this is a sports car, after all. Most important, there's new all-season rubber, still ContinentalSportContacts but the next version thereof — the 6. Acura claims better handling in all conditions, and the way tire technology has been improving, we'd believe it. The optional Pirelli Trofeo Rs remain — and remain highly recommended for anyone looking to sample the NSX on track, which is an exhilarating experience.
Acura says the rest of the enhancements we'll mention shaved a full two seconds off the car's time at Suzuka, so take that for what it's worth. They consist of a 26 percent stiffer front sway bar and 19 percent stiffer rear bar; 21 percent stiffer rear toe link bushings; a 6 percent stiffer rear hub; and a new software calibration for the computer controlled bits: the SH-AWD system, magnetorheological dampers, electric power steering, and stability control systems. For a car as precisely engineered as the NSX, these are relatively significant improvements. Don't necessarily expect it to shave two seconds off your personal best lap time, but if you're highly attuned to the chassis dynamics, the '19 NSX should offer more precise and direct feedback to the driver.
No need to be precisely attuned to the cosmetic changes — they're pretty obvious. Thermal Orange, a new exterior color, and the chrome beak-ectomy (it's not body colored) crown the exterior changes. Inside, the leather/Alcantara combo seats are now available in blue, and the full leather seats can be had in red.
While the price for the 2019 model has gone up by $1,500, Acura says that there's now $4,700 in formerly optional equipment (power seats, satnav, premium audio, parking sensors, and sport pedals) included as standard equipment. That sounds like a good deal to us. If you want one, the order books are open and cars will be delivered starting in October.
To be fair that could be said about all modern cars. They're far too refined and well-mannered.
But the new NSX is still fun and at the cutting edge of technology.
Agreed, it would be fun to drive. Even my current car is lots of fun to drive, but I do miss the manual transmission and the raw driving experience. A DSG is a good compromise for all driving conditions, but for driving the twisties, stick is best with no driver aids. :-)
Agreed, it would be fun to drive. Even my current car is lots of fun to drive, but I do miss the manual transmission and the raw driving experience. A DSG is a good compromise for all driving conditions, but for driving the twisties, stick is best with no driver aids. :-)
Fully agree on the manual transmission. Which is why I love my S2000. It's not all about speed and numbers, it's the visceral feeling you get being connected to a car.
To be fair that could be said about all modern cars. They're far too refined and well-mannered.
But the new NSX is still fun and at the cutting edge of technology.
Yeah soul is in the eye of the beholder. Every supercar is loaded with computers and less with manuals. There's no objective way to say this car has more or less soul/spirit than the other.
The most recent ultra-high performance car that was truly raw and stuck to its roots was the Viper...and no one bought them. As much as people talk about how they love the raw driving experience, real world sales show those kinds of cars don't sell in today's market...even within enthusiast circles.
^ Same, but haven't driven the R35 nor the new NSX but would likely take the Acura in this case. Probably would have the GTR over the NSX if we were talking R32 vs NA1
I have driven the R35 plenty of times, not the NSX since i have never even seen 1 in person.
But knowing the R35, i dont know how NSX is 50k more than the R35... as far as performance goes? is it significantly faster in the straight and in the corner?
I have driven the R35 plenty of times, not the NSX since i have never even seen 1 in person.
But knowing the R35, i dont know how NSX is 50k more than the R35... as far as performance goes? is it significantly faster in the straight and in the corner?
I haven't had the fortune to drive either, but this is where beauty/soul of the beholder comes in. You don't need a reason to like any car as long as it gives YOU incredible enjoyment. When we start talking about performance and numbers it can get ugly (as it does with lot of other forums). Obviously it's not going to blow the GT-R out of the water...much like lot of other cars that equal or can beat cars way more in its price range on the track. But performance and numbers is not everything of course.
Here's a good look at one way to compare cars on paper (cars that were faster or equal to the NSX, CD's LL lap times)
And then cars below the NSX:
Obviously not saying CD's LL is the gold standard (lot of changes with tire technology and track/driver variables, of course), but it was a easy way to compare track performance in one photo/list. And there are many cars that we'd have even if it's not the fastest on paper.
Nothing about the GT-R looks exotic. I still respect the car and its capabilities greatly, but sexy is the last word I would use to describe it.
Looking at that list, it kinda surprises me that the ZL1 1LE is faster around VIR than two top-tier trim 911 variants, as well as the McLaren 650S, even if it's too close to really call it. Something seems funny though with the 2017 Track Edition GT-R not making any improvement on the 2012 base GT-R. As much as I like the new Camaro, would I choose a ZL1 1LE over a 911 GT3 RS if I had more than enough money for either? Hell no.
The NSX just screams special. I've only seen a handful and they break my neck every time, whether it be in the posh shopping district where Ferraris and Lamborghinis are more common than Accords and Camrys, or even randomly down the street from my place. Again, the GT-R is an absolute beast. It's performance doesn't reflect it, but aesthetically it's a pig. And I like em thicc
Sounds like a great experience, Bob. I actually don't mind the beak, especially on the NSX. It has a nice flow to it, following with the metal inserts inside the headlights.
The beak was at its worst on the 2009-11 TL, and 2012 gave it a bearable refresh. But I won't be sad at all if it goes away completely.
It makes me kind of sad that the new Acura NSX doesn’t seem to be super well-received by the Honda faithful, in large part because it’s so different by the beloved original. The new one is a high-tech spaceship, maybe the best handling car I have ever driven. But if the first NSX’s purity is more your speed, and you have about as much money to spend, here’s a clean 1991 one going for $185,000.
We all know that values for clean 1990s Japanese sports cars have exploded in recent years, as (some of) the millennials who grew up lusting after them actually acquire money to make their dreams come true. But in the case of the original NSX, which was never a cheap car in its day, we’ve now hit the point where at least one is about as expensive as the latest hybrid, twin-turbo all-wheel drive model. That car starts around $156,000 and was tested by Jalopnik around $205,000.
If nostalgia’s more your bag, check out this eBay listing. It’s for a red 1991 model with a scant 1,733 miles on the odometer. One owner. Barely driven! From the listing, and pardon the punctuation here:
** THIS IS “NOT” A RESTORED NSX! * NOR is it SOME SILLY BARN FIND!! * THIS IS A 100%”ALL ORIGINAL” CA CAR. 100% AUTHENTIC and ORIGINAL OWNER 1ST YEAR PRODUCTION ACURA NSX #355 OFFERED TODAY with FULL DOCUMENTATION FROM DELIVERY NEW...TUCKED AWAY and LOVINGLY MAINTAINED in a CLIMATE CONTROLLED COLLECTION SINCE DRIVEN OFF THE SHOWROOM FLOOR SEPT 6th,1990.* MIGHT JUST BE A ONCE in a LIFETIME OWNERSHIP OPPORTUNITY to ADD to a SERIOUS COLLECTION?
You could do far worse as your daily driver. I’ve been lucky enough to drive the original NSX, and in terms of handling, manual gearbox goodness, style, coolness and everyday livability, it absolutely lives up to the legend it has now. You won’t be winning many drag races with the 270 horsepower aluminum 3.0-liter V6, but that isn’t the point.
Still, is a super-clean, barely driven NSX good enough to warrant that $185,000 price tag, which is the Buy It Now price on this auction that ends Tuesday? I’m not sure. You could get a new McLaren for that much, or several cheaper cars, or, again, the new NSX.
It’s a dream car for somebody out there. I do hope whoever buys this thing actually drives it, because the NSX deserves to be put to good use.
Nice, would love to drive a 2G NSX around a track.
From the PR
For the 2019 model, engineers modified chassis components, tires and software tuning to make NSX even more responsive to the will of the driver, elevating performance driving in all circumstances, from daily driving to the circuit. At the limit, the NSX's balance, playfulness and controllability has improved, allowing the driver to more precisely modulate understeer and oversteer with subtle throttle inputs. The changes resulted in a nearly 2-second faster lap time in testing around the world famous Suzuka Circuit.
Chassis enhancements include larger front and rear stabilizer bars (increasing stiffness by 26 percent in front, 19 percent at the rear) and 21 percent stiffer rear toe link bushings. Rear hub rigidity has increased 6 percent. Software calibrations to the NSX's Sport Hybrid SH-AWD® power unit, active magnetorheological dampers, electric power steering and VSA settings capitalize on this new hardware, as well as the grippier tire setup.
The 2019 NSX rides on new Continental SportContact™ 6 tires, developed exclusively for the NSX. The new tires (replacing Continental ContiSportContact™ 5P) feature a revised tread pattern, construction and rubber compound for improved handling performance in all conditions—from daily commuting to track use—including wet weather driving. The track-focused Pirelli P Zero™ Trofeo R remains an optional dealer-installed tire.
Curious what other chassis changes were made as well, Steering feedback and tire communication were one area found a little lacking in the 2017 so I'm guessing these changes are addressing that.
Both the NA1 and NC1 are special in their own unique ways. It's hard to compare the two and I don't think it's really fair to do so. One car was designed in the 80's, and another designed almost 3 decades later. If anything, the name NSX stands for New Sports-car experimental. The original NSX was worthy of that name. And I think we can say the same about the new NSX too since there isn't any hybrid super car still. The likes of P1, LaFerrari, and 918 are hyper cars.
From my experience, the NA1 felt kinda like the S2000. That's pretty amazing actually considering the S2000 has been so well received - even now, people still love it a lot. And yet, the NSX already "achieved" that level 10 years ahead of the S2000. My only complaint would be the tall gearing. It makes it that bit less enjoyable than the S2000 in a sense that, in the S2000, I get to shift gears more often, and rev it up, without going way over the speed limit. In the NSX, even in 2nd gear at 5000rpm, I'd already be at hwy speed. Other than that, the steering, the driving position, the visibility, the engine note,, and everything else, are just fantastic. I'm glad my friend bought one and allowed me to drive it a couple times before he sold it (and made quite a bit of profit in less than a year lol).
The new NSX on paper isn't much, if any, faster than the GT-R. But man, this is a classic example of why specs racing don't always tell the full story. I think the biggest difference between the two is that, the NSX is able to achieve that similar level of performance without bashing the driver. It's surprisingly comfortable in terms of ride and NVH. And the feeling of a proper mid-engine platform is just different. It feels right. It's like FWD vs RWD. FWD can be fast but people still prefer RWD. It's nice to have the engine singing behind you, and for the bulk of that weight near the middle of the car. It's especially true when you push the car hard on a track.
10-25-2017, 01:58 AM
