Spied: 2010 Acura NSX (June 2008)

[siegen]

Honda has finally begun testing pre-production prototypes of its 2010 Acura NSX, as evidenced by ten high-resolution spy photos snapped in Germany. Up until now, the we’ve only seen crude test mules made with body panels from the S2000. Based on this lightly-cladded prototype, it appears some aspects of the controversial Advanced Sports Car Concept will be included, while some of the more awkward design elements have been changed.

The new NSX, which has been delayed repeatedly, is expected to incorporate a front-mounted, 550 hp V10 engine and a new high-performance, rear-wheel-drive based version of Acura’s ‘Super Handling All-Wheel Drive’ (SH-AWD). A similar RWD/AWD system is also expected for the 2011 Acura RL.

Honda showed its Advanced Sports Car Concept at the 2007 Detroit Auto Show, a preview of the next-generation NSX, but failed to deliver a production version — as Honda said it would — at the 2007 Tokyo show.

According to Dick Colliver, executive vice president of American Honda Motor Co., the delay has been because designers couldn’t agree on the NSX’s styling. “All of the designers are working together on the NSX, but they can’t agree on the styling,” he said in January this year.

American Honda President and CEO Tetsuo Iwamura recently confirmed the NSX will be launched in the U.S. in 2010. Honda will also be launching the Acura brand in Japan and Europe around the same time, but the automaker says it will launch the NSX in the U.S. market first.

Picture Gallery

[Intrepidation]

I'm liking the overall shape so far, although for an FR layout ith has kind of a long font overhnag. Also, the stacked exhausts are cool, but I hope unlike the poser IS-F they're real.

Edited June 17, 2008 by Dodgefan

[siegen]

I'm liking the overall shape so far, although for an FR layout ith has kind of a long font overhnag. Also, the tsacked exhausts are cool, but I hope unlike the poser IS-F they're real.

Honda's (and Acura's) are notorious for their front overhang. I'm just glad it's not that bad. And hey, it aint got nothin' on the Enzo.

[vonVeezelsnider]

Eh, It looks awful generic... also FYI you might not want to post the copyrighted Brenda Priddy Image...

[regfootball]

fiero meets supra.

SHAWD! SHAWD!

Edited June 17, 2008 by regfootball

[mustang84]

Is there some reason they chose not to go with the mid-engine layout the NSX has traditionally had? Cost?

[DetroitNut90]

I know it's still too early to tell much, but the overall shape looks so boring compared to the previous NSX.

[siegen]

Is there some reason they chose not to go with the mid-engine layout the NSX has traditionally had? Cost?

Cost, platform sharing. Not quite sure if this is a unique platform or based on the S2000, or if it has any relation to the new RWD RL platform or not. Not even really sure if this is a sub-NSX vehicle or the "real deal" with a V10. Honda is very good about keeping their lips sealed, and information rarely leaks.

I always wished they would have brought the HSC. Given how long it took them to come out with this car, it could have had a 6-7 year lifespan.

[siegen]

Question for the Corvette knowledgeable people. Is this a Z06 or a ZR-1?

It is seen in this image, running with the new NSX. Could it be just a coincidence, or is Honda benchmarking the NSX against it?

[Chris_Doane]

ZR1 with brake testing sensors.

[siegen]

ZR1 with brake testing sensors.

Interesting for them both to be out testing at the same time. Then again I suppose everyone tests on the Ring now, there's probably at least one prototype or mule out driving on it at any given time.

[siegen]

Camo'd prototype NSX does a 7'37" already on Nurburgring. Unofficial time by one of the spy photographers, so take it with a grain of salt. This was also apparently with traffic. The original NSX Type R was the first naturally aspirated car to break 8 minutes on the 'ring, and that was a long time ago. This new one should leave the GT-R and others in the dust.

With the help of photoshop some TOV'ers have uncovered the car's dimensions (click). A little bit shorter, taller, and narrower than the Z06, with a slightly shorter wheelbase. Quite a bit shorter than the GT-R, and it will hopefully come out 300-400 lbs lighter than the GT-R; with the AWD system and luxury amenities, it will undoubtedly still weight a bit more than the Z06.

Still no videos of it running though.