Honda NSX, All You Wanted To Know
When the original Acura NSX made its debut over 25 years ago, it forever changed sports car world by combining exotic car styling and performance with a new dimension of quality, exceptional ergonomics and dynamic poise. The NSX introduced and defined Acura’s approach to “Precision Crafted Performance” with its cutting edge design and innovative technology that provided accessible exotic car performance for real drivers in the real world.
By making use of advanced new technologies such as a lightweight yet rigid all-aluminum monocoque body/chassis mated to a mid-mounted transverse V-6 engine, the original NSX challenged conventional wisdom for an exotic car. Its high-revving V6 engine featured a number of innovative production-car technologies, including forged pistons, titanium connecting rods and VTEC valvetrain.
Moreover, the NSX sought a more intimate connection between the car, the driver and the road, pursued through essential design elements – low vehicle mass and high power-to-weight ratio, a rigid body supporting a performance-focused chassis, outstanding visibility, exceptional ergonomics, and accessible performance—creating a paradigm shift in what it meant to be an exotic car.
Importantly, the first generation NSX also exemplified Acura’s high standards of quality, durability and day-to-day reliability without compromising performance—something rarely found in exotic sports cars of the day.
Next-Generation Acura NSX Concept
Respecting these foundational concepts of the original NSX, the 2017 Acura NSX pursues an altogether new and revolutionary idea for Acura supercar performance, melding timeless sports car values with next-generation technologies to create a New Sports eXperience. And much like Acura’s Precision Crafted Performance DNA guided the creation of the original NSX, every aspect of this new NSX is a next-generation expression of those same values.
Based on the “man-machine synergy” approach that guides the development of all Acura vehicles, the company has created a driver-centered supercar where every part of the vehicle is respectful of the smartest part of the car—the driver.
Foremost among its many innovations is Sport Hybrid Super Handling All-Wheel-Drive (Sport Hybrid SH-AWD), a first-of-its-kind technology in the supercar realm. Marrying this cutting-edge and electrified new expression of Acura Super-Handling performance with new approaches to vehicle design—including advanced body construction, component packaging and aerodynamic optimization—results in a supercar that faithfully translates the acceleration, steering and braking inputs of the driver with incredible fidelity and virtually zero delay, thus amplifying the capabilities of every driver while greatly elevating the dynamic experience in every driving situation—qualities that define the New Sports eXperience.
Sport Hybrid SH-AWD utilizes its electric motors to assist acceleration, braking and cornering. With electrically-powered torque vectoring provided by the front-mounted Twin Motor Unit, the NSX takes Acura Super Handling All-Wheel Drive technology to a new dimension—using the dynamic, instantaneous and continuous distribution of electric motor torque to enhance handling precision and cornering performance in all driving situations.
The revolutionary NSX Sport Hybrid SH-AWD power unit and its advanced dynamic capabilities are supported by new concepts in supercar design and body construction. The NSX’s multi-material body/frame is a clean-sheet design, utilizing a multitude of materials and joining technologies, each chosen for its unique capability to deliver ultimate global and local body rigidity in combination with low mass, outstanding visibility and world-class occupant crash protection. The NSX’s multi-material body integrates several world-first technologies, including three-dimensionally bent and quenched ultra-high-strength steel A-pillars and ablation cast aluminum frame nodes.
Likewise, the design and packaging of the Sport Hybrid power unit’s components—engine, transmission, motors, batteries and control systems—is optimized to support and enhance its dynamic capabilities by lowering the center of gravity and centering the mass within the car.
Acura NSX
GENERAL DIMENSIONS, CAPACITIES & WEIGHTS
| Wheelbase | 103.5 in. |
| Length | 176 in. |
| Height | 47.8 in. |
| Width | 87.3 in |
| Track (front/rear) | 65.2 in. / 63.7 in. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 15.6 gal |
| Curb Weight (without options) | 3,803 lbs. |
| Weight Distribution (front / rear without options) | 42% / 58% |
Sport Hybrid Super Handling-AWD Power Unit
The next-generation Sport Hybrid SH-AWD power unit consists of an all-new twin-turbocharged mid-mounted V6 engine paired with an all-new 9-speed dual clutch transmission (DCT) and Direct Drive Motor that supplements the engine with instant torque response. The Direct Drive Motor also operates as a generator, maintaining the state of charge of the hybrid batteries to consistently support driver demands.
These systems, which comprise the rear power unit, are supplemented by the revolutionary capabilities of the front-mounted Twin Motor Unit (TMU). Containing two electric motors that independently drive the left and right front wheels, the TMU provides “active AWD,” increasing forward acceleration and continuously varying torque—both positive and negative—supplied to the front wheels. The resulting “direct yaw control” effect enhances agility, stability, performance and response—it is true torque vectoring, available at any speed. Finally, the TMU also provides regenerative braking force, supporting braking demands while also recharging the hybrid battery.
By taking advantage of the immediate and precise torque response of the power unit’s three electric motors, the Sport Hybrid SH AWD system can elevate any driver’s confidence and performance while extracting more performance than could be obtained without it.
POWER UNIT SPECIFICATION OVERVIEW
| Sport Hybrid SH-AWD Power Unit | Front wheels: mechanically independent from rear power unit components, two electric motors (Twin Motor Unit); Rear wheels: Twin-turbocharged V-6 gasoline engine with one Direct Drive Motor and 9-speed DCT |
| Maximum Total System Power | 573 HP |
| Maximum Total System Torque | 476 lb.-ft. |
| ENGINE | |
| Type | Twin-turbocharged DOHC V6 |
| Layout | Longitudinally mid-mounted |
| Displacement | 3493 cc |
| Horsepower – SAE Net | 500 HP @ 6500-7500 rpm |
| Torque | 406 lb.-ft. @ 2000-6000 rpm |
| DIRECT DRIVE MOTOR | |
| Type | Water-cooled motor/generator |
| Layout | Direct drive motor attached directly to crankshaft |
| Horsepower @ rpm | 47 HP @ 3000 |
| Torque @ rpm) | 109 lb.-ft. @ 500-2000 |
| TRANSMISSION & REAR AXLE | |
| Type | 9-Speed Dual Clutch Transmission (9DCT) |
| Differential | Limited slip with wet multi-plate clutch |
| FRONT TWIN MOTOR UNIT (TMU) | |
| Type | Water-cooled motor/generator |
| Layout | Independent twin motors in a single package with a planetary gear set, one-way clutch and brake |
| Horsepower @ rpm | 36 + 36 HP @ 4000 |
| Torque @ rpm | 54 +54 lb.-ft. @ 0-2000 |
About the Author
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