Any major international car event like the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show packs in the debuts. You can learn all about the new crossovers, family cars, SUVs, etc. But, it’s still the sexy supercars that get the immediate buzz. Case in point for the first press day here in Tokyo? Consider the 2017 Acura NSX.
Originally Honda’s super car when it debuted 25 years ago, the NSX became an Acura when the automaker spun off its luxury and performance models from its mass consumer cars. From 1990 to 2005, the two-seat and mid-engined halo car was the premiere Japanese supercar. It’s been supplanted in recent years by the Nissan GTR.
Also: 2015 Tokyo Auto Show: Mazda Unveils RX Vision
The NSX is racing to take back some of the GTR’s buzz by pouring every cutting edge technology the automaker can muster into a car. Its Total Airflow Management offers “an wholistic approach to thermal management and aerodynamic performance that supports and enhances dynamic response and high-speed stability without the need for active aero devices.”
The Multi-Material Body provides light and ultra-rigid body, applying material, construction and joining methodology optimized to the mission of each body component. And, the Advanced Sports Package looks to optimize the car’s design by focusing on the human package within the car and how it interacts with the machine.
Just like its NSX ancestors, the car is powered by a twin turbocharged V6. But, this 2017 version puts out a stunning 573 horsepower for a car weighing less than two tons. That’ll give you a top speed of 191 mph, thanks to the new Sport Hybrid Super Handling All-Wheel-Drive system and a nine speed dual clutch transmission unique to this NSX.
A major for the new supercar is Acura’s newly assembled Advanced Zero Delay Technologies. Turbocharged cars are famous for taking a second to surge to full power when the driver hammers it. It’s often referred to as the turbo lag. With the Sport Hybrid SH-AWD, zero delay performance is the NSX goal in any driving setting.
When accelerating, the system provides immediate torque with three electric motors—the rear direct drive motor and front Twin Motor Unit.
When trail-braking into a corner (breaking later into a turn the car more aggressively to the apex), the system uses the front TMU for enhanced deceleration. According to Acura: “The advanced braking system works in concert with the vehicle’s mechanical brakes to precisely decelerate, and the Direct Yaw Control delivers precise and immediate turn-in performance while allowing drivers to point their eyes toward the corner apexes.”
When exiting a corner, the driver can hit the throttle earlier and with more confidence and accelerate with added precision.
This reporter hasn’t had a chance to drive this piece of Japanese perfection yet. But, there’s always hope. When it happens, I’ll gush on these virtual pages.
