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December 17, 2014
2012 Detroit Auto Show Live Report | HONDA
HONDA
2012 Detroit Motor Show
NSX Concept Unveiled
American Honda Motor held the world premiere of the NSX Concept at the 2012 North American International Auto Show. Yasuhisa Shimashita, a motor journalist on-site, reports.
Text & Photo by YASUHISA SHIMASHITA
Acura, Honda's premium brand for overseas markets, exhibited a total of three models this time. Among them, the NSX Concept, a proposal for a pure sports car after a long hiatus for Honda, garnered the most attention, even with prior announcements.
Honda President Takanobu Ito, who personally led the presentation, declared that the next-generation NSX will debut within three years, with Honda's Ohio plant in North America serving as the production base. He also stated that the company will actively participate in motorsports.
The Return of the NSX. NSX Concept
The name NSX, which first appeared in 1990 and ceased sales in 2005, has returned. The NSX Concept is a study model for a new generation sports car, aiming to achieve superior handling performance through the "Sport Hybrid SH-AWD" system, featuring a lightweight body and a mid-ship layout with a V6 engine.
The engine, though its displacement is undisclosed, is described as a newly designed unit combining VTEC, direct injection, and cylinder deactivation. Sport Hybrid SH-AWD refers to an electric all-wheel-drive system that combines the engine with a dual-clutch gearbox housing electric motors, and further drives the left and right front wheels independently with separate motors to enhance cornering performance. It is said to deliver high efficiency and effectiveness, for example, by utilizing the deceleration energy of the inner wheel during cornering to drive the outer wheel.
According to Mr. Fukuo, who leads Acura, the body will feature a hybrid structure using aluminum as the base, along with steel and, in some parts, carbon fiber. While the combination of a V6 engine and electric motors will naturally result in high-level performance, the emphasis is on the joy of driving rather than sheer speed.
"Using the NSX name was a big decision. We are inheriting a very significant asset, so there's no room for us on the team to falter."
Two Production Models
Two other production models were announced. The second-generation RDX and the ILX, which marks a return to a more affordable price range, both clearly target younger consumers not currently covered by Acura's lineup. Both are scheduled to be launched by spring.
Acura plans to completely refresh its entire lineup over the next three years. It appears to be launching a counteroffensive, leveraging the prestige of the NSX.
RDX
The new RDX is larger than its predecessor. The engine has also been changed from a 2.3-liter turbo to a 3.5-liter naturally aspirated unit. While this goes against the downsizing trend, fuel efficiency has reportedly improved due to the adoption of technologies such as cylinder deactivation.
ILX
The ILX, positioned as Acura's entry-level model after a period where the brand focused on larger vehicles, will be available with 2.0-liter and 2.4-liter gasoline engines, as well as Acura's first 1.5-liter hybrid. It will be interesting to see how its distinctive design is received by "Generation Y."
