2016 Acura NSX – Return of an Icon

 

Acura shook up the sports car world in 1990 with the arrival of the NSX (it was a 1991 model).  Armed with a mid-mounted 270hp VTEC V-6 and a five speed manual transmission, not to mention loads of high tech and reliability, the NSX sent the Italians back to the drawing board.

Fast forward to 2015, and we are witness to the rebirth of the 2016 Acura NSX.  It’s been a long wait, but I’m glad its back..!

What we have here is a sports car stocked with the latest go fast bits.  Powered by a twin-turbo V-6 producing somewhere in the neighborhood of 400hp (Acura is being tight-lipped about final specs) along with 3 electric motors in the 50hp range, we should see between 550 and 600 total horsepower.  Two motors drive the front wheels and will provide torque vectoring as needed, as well as a power boost to the V-6 and third motor behind the driver.  A dual-clutch 9-speed transmission is in place to get things moving, and Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes are at all four corners to bring things to a halt on the staggered 19 and 20 inch wheels.  Final specifications should arrive from Acura around the time of media drives, which are slated for early July. 

As for the design of the car, both the exterior and interior are extremely well done.  Easily the best visuals by any Acura designers in years.  The exterior is low, wide and functional, as all vents are well integrated into the esthetic of the car.  The interior has a future-forward vibe, but maintains a certain warmth and simplicity that will make it an excellent place to spend time.

Bottom line, I like what I see here.  Welcome back, NSX...  It's about damn time..!