► PRICE :
Base price $ 156,000
After a protracted development process, the Acura NSX has returned after a 12-year hiatus. It's fair to wonder, then: What exactly has Acura cooked up in those 12 years? Well, while the previous-generation car was an elemental midengine, rear-wheel-drive sports car, the new NSX is a much more complex machine, boasting all-wheel drive, a twin-turbo V6 and a trio of electric motors for a full gasoline/electric hybrid experience. It's still Acura's flagship car, however, looking to compete with the world's best.
This new 2017 NSX is built in an all-new facility at Honda's Marysville, Ohio, plant. Its Japan-developed 3.5-liter V6 and nine-speed transmission are purpose-designed and -built for the NSX. On the chassis side, the NSX is a mix of aluminum and steel and is underpinned with a double-wishbone front and multilink rear suspension with MR (magnetorheological) variable dampers all around. Carbon fiber is employed sparingly in the car's structure, but most of what you can see is used only for optional cosmetic dress-up items in the engine bay and cabin.
We're pleased to report that the NSX's advanced design doesn't detract from its mission. This is an exotic sports car that is easy to drive quickly every day. And it will accelerate to 60 mph in about 3.0 seconds while getting the fuel economy of what an Acura TL used to get back in the days of the old NSX. This organic driving experience in the face of its enormous complexity is probably the most striking accomplishment of the NSX.
And yet, as sophisticated as it is, the NSX lacks a sense of occasion. Its V6 doesn't have a particularly exotic sound to it, and the car's styling, while safe and well-proportioned, does not invite one to linger or admire. The NSX's creators chose not to showcase any of its extensive hardware. Consider that the NSX has a Quiet mode but not a Loud mode. The NSX has personality but not attitude. It's a supercar without swagger.
The question will be whether you see this as a draw or a turn-off. If it's the latter, you'll probably find the likes of the Audi R8 or McLaren 570S more appealing.(SEE ALL PHOTOS)
EXTERIOR
Every square inch of the Acura NSX's exterior body panel surfaces, fluid shapes, air inlets/exhaust outlets and even the positioning/shaping/thickness of the floating C-pillars serves a distinct purpose-one that has been carefully calculated through thousands of hours of complex computational fluid dynamics (CFD) in combination with extensive wind tunnel testing in the company's advanced facilities in the United States and in Japan.
"The idea that form follows function is fundamental to Acura design, and this philosophy is interwoven in the core of NSX, which is why our exterior concept is called "Interwoven Dynamic," said Michelle Christensen, exterior design project leader in the Los Angeles based Acura Design Studio. "The NSX is a visual expression of beautiful design and performance working together, influencing every decision we made-every surface, every millimeter, every design element of the new NSX is focused on enhancing performance."
From the acutely angled slope of the chiseled aluminum hood to the rakishly shaped Acura Jewel Eye™ LED headlights and tapered front grille, the front is supercar sleek. The distinctive headlights are bisected by massive mesh-covered air inlets from below and the front fenders are highlighted by a sharply creased character line running all the way from the grille towards thinly sculpted A-pillars.
Remarkably compact overhangs, fore and aft, foretell the design and engineering team's exemplary packaging of mechanical and electrical components, while the vehicle's overall sleek yet muscular stance conveys a sense of purpose and power. The hood line, roofline, floating C-pillars and rear quarter appear as one distinctive and unified curve. The massive yet lightweight high- performance wheel and tire package fit within the arching wheel wells with minimal gap and perfect proportion.
The rear of the vehicle is equally striking, highlighted by the signature floating C-Pillars, which cascade gently from the roofline to just forward of the integrated spoiler at the trailing edge of the rear deck lid, flanking an expansive glass panel that reveals the twin-turbocharged V-6 engine.
Further accentuating the exterior architecture of the new Acura NSX are a choice of eight paint schemes, each color in the rich palette carefully selected and engineered to accentuate the exterior's bold design while ushering in a new level of paint quality within the supercar segment.(SEE ALL PHOTOS)
INTERIOR
A complementary and essential component of the all-new Acura NSX's New Sports eXperience is its driver-centered interior design, where every element-materials, shapes, technology and layout-are optimized to enhance the driving experience. Exceptional ergonomics, a hallmark of the original NSX, have been further advanced. Moreover, as a pinnacle representation of Acura Precision Crafted Performance, the NSX is designed to provide outstanding comfort, quality and advanced, intuitive technologies, all presented in clean and modern aesthetic.
"The interior of the all-new Acura NSX is highlighted by what we call 'Interwoven Dynamic' design," said Michael Cao, interior project leader. "It combines the best attributes of intuitive, easy-to-use functionality and superior ergonomics with a clean and modern design aesthetic worthy of a next-generation supercar. It's the ultimate testimony to the beautiful simplicity of form following function."
Artfully sculpted and ergonomic seats are enhanced with supportive yet comfortable bolstering, firmly yet comfortably supporting the driver and passenger and clarifying the driving experience. Strategically placed console and door padding further elevate the driver and passenger lateral support. Materials such as leather and Alcantara® were carefully selected for the ideal combination of craftsmanship and dynamic driving support.
The driver's instrument cluster and center console have been designed to enhance the driving experience with intuitive layout and simple operation, creating a "simple sports interface" for the driver.
The next-generation Acura NSX interior also supports the idea of a customizable driving experience, employing a trifecta of advanced sound modulation technologies-Active Sound Control, Intake Sound Control and Active Exhaust Valve-that work in concert with the NSX's Integrated Dynamics System to deliver a tunable cabin sound experience commensurate with the desires of the driver and the driving environment.(SEE ALL PHOTOS)
SPECIFICATION
► Year:2017
► Make:Acura
► Model:NSX
► Price:$ 156,000
► Engine:V6
► Transmission:9-speed DCT
► Displacement:3.0 L
► 0-60 time:3.3 sec. (Est.)
► Top Speed:200 mph (Est.)
FEATURES
When it was new in the early 1990s, the Acura NSX was priced at around $60,000. Adjusted for inflation, that'd be about $105,000 in 2016 dollars.
The 2017 NSX carries a base price of $157,800 including destination, and it's easy to crank up the dollars from there—meaning it comes in at an 8 out of 10 overall.
The NSX's base price has ballooned, even with inflation factored in—and prices rise further when the carbon-fiber fairy makes a visit.
Every NSX comes with a roster of goodies including power locks, windows, and mirrors; leather upholstery; keyless ignition; tilt/telescope steering; ambient lighting; dual-zone climate control; and a 7.0-inch touchscreen interface for audio, which controls Bluetooth audio streaming, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and HD radio.
A multi-angle rearview camera is also standard, while parking sensors are an option. The NSX does not offer active safety features such as forward-collision warnings, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitors, and adaptive cruise control.
Configuring an NSX pushes the price tag toward the $200,000 stratosphere. Carbon-fiber is a pricey—and sure to be a popular—add-on. Carbon-ceramic brakes are $9,900; a carbon-fiber trim package is $9,000; a carbon-fiber engine cover costs $3,600, while the carbon-fiber roof panel runs $6,000. There's also a package of carbon-fiber interior trim for $2,900.
A Technology Package tops off the interior with a nine-speaker ELS audio system, a navigation system, AcuraLink, and front and rear parking sensors. It's either $2,800 or $3,300, depending on whether you pre-pay for satellite radio.
Color and trim options polish off whatever change you'd expect from the dealer. Painted brake calipers are $700; full power seats are $2,500; an Alcantara headliner is $1,300; and special red or blue paint runs $6,000.(SEE ALL PHOTOS)
STYLING
The 2017 Acura NSX will one day be seen as the car that broke the Japanese luxury brand out of its styling doldrums. It's a neat riff on the supercar stylebook. It's inspired by a slew of supercars, but doesn't mimic them at all, and introduces a few new hooks to the songbook.
The low, wide shape smothers the track from the grille on back. It's a bare few inches from the ground, and the NSX's grille rises to spread wide, wrapping LED headlights into its corners to create a subtle set of wings. It's striking from every angle and easily earns its 10 out of 10. (Read more about how we rate cars.)
The NSX is the best-looking Acura in a generation; let's hope its influences play out far, and wide.
The shape is dictated by aerodynamics, but the outline isn't rendered entirely by airflow. The NSX wears big air intakes at the front and sides, and its side mirrors fly off on antennae like a Testarossa.
The shape is smoother than it might be; some of the ducts and scoops that could disfigure its body are formed into its outline. Air moves down the rear glass, for example, and gets diverted invisibly to cool the engine and clutch, then exits through massive and visually correct rear-end ducts.
Pretty details tie it all to the Acura lineup. A large Acura badge and calipers breaks up the stubby tail. Telegraphic LED taillights arrest the chiseled, broad rear fenders.
Inside, the spartan, Civic-like interior of the original NSX has given way to a luxe, leather-lined cockpit missing some traditional cues.
The first signal the car sends the driver is a mixed one. The console camelbacks where a shifter should be, but the NSX doesn't have a lever. It has the same push-button transmission controls as a Honda Pilot. It's a relief to find long paddle-shift controls behind the steering wheel.
Look up, and the NSX's 8.0-inch digital display lays the virtual gauges on a slightly odd plane, tilted away from the driver. The pod's dominated by a tach, and toggles through color schemes from blue to red, based on the selected driving mode.
Switches and rollers run secondary systems from the steering wheel. A second screen—either 7.0 inches or 8.0 inches—runs the audio interface or the optional navigation.
Elsewhere, the NSX sweeps the driver and passenger up in a leathery embrace, while big strokes of metallic trim outline the banks of controls and the horizon of the dash. Lightly treated leather can be ordered, and the NSX can go full-pimp with a carbon-fiber trim kit that looks just like similar treatments in other luxury and performance cars. That is to say, relentlessly showy and somewhat inexpensive.(SEE ALL PHOTOS)
DRIVETRAIN
This is a precise, fast car that drives smaller and lighter than its curb weight suggests. The NSX is also a car that flatters its driver, whether a neophyte or an experienced shoe. Its tenacious traction as you power out of a corner as almost as surprising as the resolute faithfulness with which the NSX's nose follows the driver's steering input. In other words, the NSX goes exactly where you point it, and it exits corners as though attached to a centrifuge.
Forward visibility is outstanding. The NSX's low cowl and slim pillars help make it a terrific fast-road companion, since the driver can easily place the car on the road. And although the suspension delivers exemplary control, the damping is supple such that the ride quality is really quite comfortable even on bumpy pavement. Even the brake feel, which is commonly grabby and hard to modulate among hybrids, is so natural that you don't even think about it. This car could easily be driven daily despite its eye-opening pace on a back road.
Acceleration is comparatively anticlimactic. It's certainly a rapid car, but the sense of speed is deceptively muted by the flat torque curve. High speeds don't fluster the NSX, as it feels planted and secure. Shifts from the nine-speed transmission are terrifically quick and smooth.
But as technically accomplished as it is, the NSX lacks a sense of occasion. For starters, it sounds uninspiring in the cabin. Yes, a sound tube connected to the engine's intake directs the V6's sound directly into the driver's left and passenger's right ear. But a V6's sound is not as inherently captivating as what you might hear from a V8 or Porsche flat-6. We're glad Acura's engineers allowed a bit of the turbocharged personality to shine through (the turbo's bypass valves chuff audibly when you lift off the throttle) but the incessant hiss and synthetic bellow of the intake on a fast drive grows tiresome.(SEE ALL PHOTOS)
PERFORMANCE
The NSX's hybrid powertrain starts with a turbocharged 3.5-liter V6. Alone, it produces 500 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. When you add in the NSX's hybrid componentry, the NSX's maximum output rises to 573 hp and 476 lb-ft of torque. These are stout numbers, though they're tasked with moving the car's ample 3,803-pound curb weight. The V6's power is fed to the rear wheels through a nine-speed automated manual transmission.
Interestingly, the front wheels are not driven mechanically by the mid-mounted V6 engine at all. Instead, each front wheel is connected to its own electric motor. This twin-motor front axle gives the NSX all-wheel drive and, perhaps more significantly, considerable freedom in how and when those front wheels are driven. In a turn, for instance, the NSX can automatically add power to the outside front wheel while simultaneously slowing the inside wheel (via brake regeneration), which can enhance how eagerly the car turns in toward a corner. Or the NSX can do the opposite to help correct an oversteer condition.
A third electric motor is mounted to the engine's crankshaft to helps smooth out gearchanges and provide a torque-filling function at low revs when the turbos have yet to fully get up to speed. Not that they're asleep long, as the engine produces its max torque as low as 2,000 rpm.
Acura estimates that 0-60-mph acceleration will take just 3.0 seconds. If true, that would put the NSX neck-and-neck with the Audi R8 and Porsche 911 Turbo. Fuel economy, however, is where the NSX holds an advantage. The EPA says to expect 21 mpg in combined driving (21 city/22 highway), which is better than any other rival sports car. It's worth noting, however, that it's less of an advantage than you might think for a hybrid. The 911 Turbo, with its 20 mpg combined rating, isn't far back.(SEE ALL PHOTOS)
ENGINE
Sole powertrain in the NSX is Acura’s technologically advanced Sport Hybrid system: a racing-inspired 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 supplemented by three electric motors that are fully integrated to optimize total performance and collectively develop 573 horsepower and 476 lb-ft of torque. The V6 features direct-plus-port fuel injection and dry-sump lubrication that allows it to be mounted low in the chassis to further optimize overall balance. A Direct Drive Motor sits between the engine and the NSX’s 9-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, while the Twin Motor Unit at the front axle independently energizes each wheel to provide additional motive force as well as steering/braking assist via torque vectoring. With their instant-on torque at launch, the motor array virtually eliminates turbo lag and always ensures superb throttle response.
► 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 plus 3 electric motors
573 horsepower (combined)
476 lb-ft of torque (combined)
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 20/22 mpg
SAFETY
Providing for the safety of Acura customers and other road users has been a point of paramount importance for the Acura brand from its inception. Like all Acura vehicles, the 2017 Acura NSX starts with stable, precise and predictable driving dynamics-steering, handling and braking-as the foundation for active safety performance and collision avoidance. To provide a high-level of occupant protection in the event of a collision, the Acura NSX employs its advanced multi-material body design along with both primary and supplemental restraint systems, which work as a system to effectively manage the energy in a collision, minimizing cabin intrusion and mitigating occupant injury.
The NSX's innovative multi-material space frame utilizes cast aluminum nodes-including a world's first application of ablation casting technology-and highly rigid extruded aluminum frame members for superior crashworthiness and occupant protection with light weight and high rigidity. The NSX also utilizes the world's first application of a three-dimensionally formed and water jet-quenched ultra-high-strength steel for its A-pillar construction, which offers robust structural rigidity including roof-crush performance.
Furthermore, the multi-material space frame design and the packaging of hybrid componentry, including the vehicle's lithium-ion batteries and high-voltage systems, have also been optimized for both occupant protection and for the safety of emergency personnel (first responders).
► Standard primary and supplemental restraint systems include:
Single-stage driver and dual-stage passenger multiple-threshold front airbags (SRS)
Driver knee airbag
Side airbags
Side curtain airbags with rollover sensor
Three-point seatbelts with a load-limited equipped automatic tensioning system
(SEE ALL PHOTOS)
FUEL ECONOMY
The 2017 Acura NSX manages 21 mpg city, 22 highway, 21 combined from its hybrid all-wheel-drive powertrain, according to the EPA, which earns it a respectable 6 out of 10.
Those numbers are excellent for a car capable of 0-60 mph times of 3 seconds, and a top speed of 191 mph. In absolute terms, those gas-mileage numbers are a lot lower than, say, an eight-passenger Honda Pilot.
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