ttribe

A completely CF body and all new hybrid system is not on the same level as a "tarted up Volt." You might note, too, the i8 is twice the price of the Cadillac (for a number of very good reasons).

skd2k1

iTrader: (1)

I think the point is that the i8 isn't a "major problem" for the nsx or even a competitor.

JS + XES

iTrader: (1)

The point is that this car is not coming out.

Yumcha

I think the point of this car is to use your darn imagination. It also will bring about world peace.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

Damnit, Elon Musk!
stop copying Acura

skd2k1

iTrader: (1)

cool, what else can you tell us about the future?

savage

I disagree. The i8 is in the league of a 911 (non-turbo), base R8, and other low to mid 100k sports cars with about 400-450hp. I think it will sell well to many people that aren't tree huggers. Many buyers will probably not even care about it being a hybrid. The styling and performance alone are enough to sell them. Hell, I'd love to see a non-hybrid version with an V8TTfrom the M5 stuffed in there.

The i9 or M variant, will likely be more of a direct competitor to the NSX. That will have 500hp plus powertrain.

ttribe

Why?

VR1

I don't really see anyone cross shopping an i8 with the NSX.

NSX is more GTR/911 Turbo crowd,
i8 is more M6, Aston Martin V8 Vantage crowd imo. It's more of a sexy GT luxury coupe. In car and driver's tests, the M4 is actually quicker then the i8. I'm sure the i8 has a completely different driving expierence though.

ttribe

I don't know, both the i8 and the NSX are mid-engine hybrid sports cars priced at North of $100k. The i8 may have vestigial rear seats, but it's not much of a GT car.

MeehowsBRZ

Belzebutt

A tarted up Volt with a sub-4 sec 0-60 time and BMW handling is nothing like a Volt.

VR1

The R36 GTR will have hybrid tech aswell, but I get what your saying. I consider the NSX to be more performance oriented. I believe they said performance of a 458, and of that's true it will be quite ahead (performance wise) of the i8. I'm think the i8 will have a nicer interior, more technology, and be a nicer daily driver overall. I would see someone shopping a Maserati Granturismo or V8 Vantage cross shop the i8.

biker

I'm sure the typical XLR buyer says the same thing.

Biker, who has been able to stir the pot with a throw away comment.

JS + XES

iTrader: (1)

Were you like this when you were like 30?

skd2k1

iTrader: (1)

i8 performance is not in the same league as 458, nsx's benchmark.

biker

Unlikely, but then 20 years ago folks didn't hang out in Internet forums.

ttribe

Well, until we see an actual car (that doesn't burn down) and get some numbers, it's all just talk.

JS + XES

iTrader: (1)

benchmark.

krio

vapor benchmark-ed to the 458 in Acura dreams...

skd2k1

iTrader: (1)

it is all just talk, but that still doesn't put the i8 in the same performance category as the nsx.

civicdrivr

iTrader: (9)

I don't know why you guys think benchmarking the NSX against the 458 is so difficult. They've already matched it in one category:

krio

^^too HOT cars for me...

ttribe

You're right; but only because the NSX isn't in a "performance category" yet.

I stand corrected.

JS + XES

iTrader: (1)

Tell us the performance figure estimates of this vaporware.

You seem to know more than we know.

skd2k1

iTrader: (1)

I'm just repeating what honda/acura has stated, that the benchmark is the 458. i8 does not compete against 458.

2016 Acura NSX aimed at Ferrari 458 for the price of Audi R8 - Autoblog

ttribe

Yes, we know you are being a parrot of the ongoing propaganda regarding a car that doesn't exist yet. If it does actually hang with the 458, that would be awesome. But, until they actually hand over a working prototype for independent testing I, for one, remain skeptical. Acura has done plenty in the last 10 years to cause me to lose any modicum of trust in their "official" statements regarding upcoming cars.

Oh, and Road & Track: BMW i8 Real-World Test Results - 0 To 60 MPH In 3.8 Seconds

Sub-4 sounds like it's worth considering.

skd2k1

iTrader: (1)

I provided that info on request. and lol@"propaganda"

I think if honda can build successful f1 engines, then they should be able to build a 458 competitor. I suppose we'll all have to wait and see.

not if you are looking at 458 performance level cars.

civicdrivr

iTrader: (9)

It's been over 20 years since Honda's last successful* F1 engine - funny how that lines up with the first gen NSX release. They are getting back into the sport next season, but it's going to be very tough to match the efficiency, reliability and outright power of the MB engines.

*successful meaning championship winning

I agree with you here. The 458 can hit 60 half a second quicker than the i8. The i8 is a cool GT car; but it is not an outright sports car.

skd2k1

iTrader: (1)

it's a big if, but, like you say, they've proven themselves capable in the past. maybe they even bring something back from mclaren.

when you are hitting 60 in under 4, half a second is a lot.

civicdrivr

iTrader: (9)

That's not exactly what I was saying. Their engine supplying venture in the 2000s didn't pan out all that great. They ended up buying out BAR and became a constructor, and that ended worse. So, yes, they have made successful engines in the past, but their more recent history isn't as bright.

But, I'm having a hard time seeing how that can effect their road cars when the trickle down effect to their F1 technology isn't immediate - unless of course that's a sign that the NSX isn't coming out until 2020 at the earliest.

Fun fact - when Honda pulled the plug on their factory team for the '09 season, Ross Brawn bought them out and got MB to supply the engine. Brawn GP won the constructors and drivers championship that year. That must have stung a bit for Honda.

Mugen.Justice

I would think so. Hopefully it's a lesson that Honda still remembers today, as they return to F1.


On the other hand, Brawn did use the Honda chassis, correct?

civicdrivr

iTrader: (9)

They used what was left of it after modifying the chassis for the MB engine.

savage

Guys, comparisons to the i8 are going to be made regardless of what benchmark the NSX sets. Both are going to be mid-100k sports cars with hybrid mid-engined layout.

Price-wise, I am sure the i8 is already cutting into what could have been NSX sales. People are going to inevitably compare and cross-shop these cars.

Before you jump into the performance specs, realize that the i9 (M iteration with 500+hp and more hardcore setup) will be more of a direct competitor to the NSX. Also, I thought I heard there was a hybrid R8 coming?

Rumor: BMW i9 Supercar is a Go - BimmerFile


Regardless, it's good to see the competition. It will create a better end result for everyone.

oonowindoo

yup.

With the Poodick designer coming for the i9, and the performance #s from the i8 with little 3 banger turbo, we can safely assume that the i9 will be right up there...

Thank you

JS + XES

iTrader: (1)

Well, it's going to have Ferrari numbers. So, i8 is nothing in Honda's eyes.

Edward'TLS

What really mattered was the engine choice.

The Mercedes powerplant was the most powerful F1 engine at that time.

In fact, it was so runaway powerful that FIA had to force Mercedes to detune the motor for the following seasons, in order to level out the playing field.

Fibonacci

NSX volumes will be so low, I doubt we'll really see much in the way of cross-shopping. People who can afford these kind of cars usually have more than one and there is probably enough pent-up demand for the NSX among Honda enthusiasts to keep the order book full for a while. My dealer says allocation will be one per year, so if you want one, you'll have to stand in line.

As for the i8 (i9) as you said, the more product offerings, the better for consumers. Haven't grown in love with the i8 design yet. The current pre-prodution NSX design I am quite smitten with. If its a total dud, I will move along as my patience has already been sorely tested. Sounds like its still 18 months from production.

iforyou

iTrader: (1)

Yea, if Honda is only making a few hundred units annually and the car performs and priced as Honda has said, then I don't think a lack of demand would be an issue.

Legend2TL

The CF/honeycomb tube was shortened ~6" and new rear bulkhead was redesigned due to the longer MB powerplant. There were problems with the crankshaft height and using the Honda developed gearbox.

But make no mistake, it was a Honda (nee BAR nee Tyrell) chassis.

BBC - Andrew Benson: The remarkable story of Brawn GP