Concept Provides a Glimpse of the Next Generation Acura Exotic Sports Car
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The show-stopping Acura "Advanced Sports Car Concept" made its world debut today at the 2007 North American International Auto Show. The dynamically styled concept provides a preview of the design direction for the successor to the Acura NSX.
Created to take exotic sports car styling to a new level, the concept is designed to incorporate a powerful front-mounted, V-10 engine and a new high-performance, rear-wheel-drive based version of Acura's exclusive Super Handling All-Wheel Drive(TM) (SH-AWD(TM)).
"The Acura brand will always be a home for people who love to drive," said Takeo Fukui, president & CEO of Honda Motor Co., Ltd. "As we advance toward building a car like this, I can tell you it will feature advanced technology matching our passion for performance."
The concept's exterior demonstrates a dynamic fusion of advanced technology and emotion. The long, pronounced hood features deeply sculpted lines and embossed air vents, both of which hint at the powerful engine beneath. The exterior lines run the length of the body, creating a ribbon-like effect from the front headlights to the rear wheel arches, evoking a feeling of movement and power.
Although modern in its appearance, the Advanced Sports Car Concept retains the subtle cues associated with its predecessor, the NSX. The concept's slim, LED headlights are pushed wide and designed to mimic the pop-up headlights found on the first generation NSX. Other styling hints include a modern take on wraparound rear taillights and the all black cockpit.
"Our intention was to design an exotic sports car that gracefully combines advanced technology and strong emotion," said Jon Ikeda, principal designer, Acura Design Center. "The technical, machined surfaces and keen-edge design are balanced with sweeping curves and dramatic lines, all of which results in the ultimate exotic sports car."
Wide and low to the ground with a 108.8 inch wheelbase, the concept is anchored by grippy 19 inch front and 20 inch rear performance tires which are mounted to custom billet-machined, polished aluminum wheels. Powerful, ventilated carbon ceramic brake discs and eight-piston calipers accent the wheels. Bold wheel arches and flares add to the concept's aggressive appearance.
The low slung cabin is constructed entirely of tinted glass and sits flush against the body. Door handles are also flush mounted, allowing the sports car to retain a clean and aerodynamic appearance. The Advanced Sports Car Concept features a carbon fiber underbody and the rear is finished with aggressive quad exhaust pipes and integrated rear diffusers, further communicating its high performance potential.
The Advanced Sports Car Concept was designed by the Acura's Los Angeles-based design team that will be based at the new Acura Design Center, opening this summer.
Additional Acura information and downloadable high-resolution images are available at http://www.acuranews.com.
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Advanced Sports Car Concept dimensions:
Width: 78.6 in
Length: 181.5 in
Height: 48.1 in
Wheelbase: 108.8 in
Tires: .
Front:
255/40R19
Rear:
295/35R20
Looks pretty cool :cool: I like it already :thumbup:
1SICKLEX
01-07-07, 12:21 PM
It looks decent to me :) Gotta love a V-10 with SH-AWD!
Though I must add how some Honda faithful blasted the IS-F exhaust and they now have the same thing!
GFerg
01-07-07, 12:26 PM
Not gonna lie, the front and side remind me of the LF-A and other Lexus models. Looks nice though. :thumbup:
Maximus350
01-07-07, 12:29 PM
I love the side profile. The rear, well, let's just say it sucks ass!
thetopdog
01-07-07, 12:32 PM
The car looks surprisingly good, but why make the next NSX front engined? :(
DrUnBiased
01-07-07, 12:52 PM
Front-engine and AWD? I feel sorry for the NSX nameplate.
On the other hand, I really like the design. Reminds me a lot of the Aston Martin DB9 from the rear and side shots.
If this is the next NSX then it is nowhere near what the original was and a bit of a dissapointment. Front engine SH-AWD just took away what made the NSX so great and unique among sub 100K sports cars. I know alot of NSX enthusiasts and previous owners are going to be very dissapointed with this vehicle and are going to go to other brands for a new high end sports car. Instead of having a great and unique vehicle with a low slung lightweight mid engine nimble exotic it will just be competing with a sea of other heavy front engine cars like the Merc SL, BMW 6 series, Jaq XK, Aston Martin AMV8, Corvette, Viper, etc with the new Lexus LFA being its main competition. I am sure the new Lexus will have more horsepower, be faster, have a nicer interior, and sell much better because Lexus is much more successful at selling more expensive vehicles then Acura. The best thing to come out of this is that Acura now has a proper front engined rwd platform that can be utilized with other vehicles like sedans and coupes and the next RL will finally get a proper rwd platform so that many will stop complaining about its Accord chasis roots. Hopefully Honda/Acura did not engineer this new platform so that it will be difficult to spawn other vehicles or will be too expensive for sub 60K cars. I do have a faint amount of hope that this is not the NSX replacement but the new rumored coupe that was supposed to be between the RL and NSX and there will be a proper mid engined NSX replacement but I kind of doubt it. Acura should definitely not name this car the NSX as it possesses nothing the original had and is a completely new model. Sorry I lost a little respect for Honda/Acura today and am not really looking forward to this new car anymore.
As for the looks, it looks ok and really kind of plain and does not really have head turning style and certainly does not look like a 70K+ car. The SL and Aston Martin AMV8 look nicer and the Lexus LFA concept looks much better with a exotic look then this and will certainly turn heads and be bought on looks alone.
1SICKLEX
01-07-07, 01:22 PM
I don't see any DB9 in it (considered by many to be one of the most beautiful cars ever made).
I see some corvette in it, if anything. Its a decent looking concept much better than this crap
http://www.jalopnik.com/assets/resources/2006/11/acura_advanced_concept.jpg
rosskoss
01-07-07, 01:46 PM
I sometimes think Acura designers in their quest for "edgy" and "futuristic" forget plain ol' "good lookin'".
1SICKLEX
01-07-07, 01:59 PM
I don't see any DB9 in it (considered by many to be one of the most beautiful cars ever made).
I see some corvette in it, if anything. Its a decent looking concept much better than this crap
I should get PAID for this...
http://news.windingroad.com/concept-cars/detroit-auto-show-nsx-previewed-in-acuras-advanced-sports-car-concept/
NSX fans, rejoice. Corvette fans, rejoice. The next Acura NSX will debut at the Tokyo Motor Show in the fall of 2007, but Acura unwrapped a design study for the car this afternoon with the Advanced Sports Car Concept, or ASC Concept. And dare we say: its proportions give it a near-Corvette stance (Bonus conjecture: the front duct work reminds us of the Audi R8).
MR_F1
01-07-07, 02:00 PM
Not normally the one to play the 'it looks like' game, but from the side profile it looks like 'vette in the rear, ferrari 599 in the middle and audi R8 up front. All mish mashed and served with a dose of ugly. The LF-A concept is much better looking than this.
Im also terribly dissapointed with the front engine awd setup. Acura, Please dont put an NSX badge on it. I'm with UDel 100%
MR_F1
01-07-07, 02:01 PM
oh, those wheels are also vintage Lexus LF-C concept ;)
rosskoss
01-07-07, 02:03 PM
That car looks so much like a Corvette, only uglier. The only thing it's missing is the bowtie up front.
Whatever happened to this car (pic below)? Dammit Honda, stop making fugly cars and concentrate on good looking cars again.
That is their head designer???
The NSX forum hates it
http://www.nsxprime.com/forums/showthread.php?t=81401
rosskoss
01-07-07, 02:14 PM
This car was styled at Acura's American studios. The HSC was styled in Japan. Acura is losing it. Designs like this will only make it even more difficult for the brand to gain traction. First the absolutely horrible looking MDX and RDX and now this monstrosity. Acura, please close up the American design studio and lets see some designs from Japan again.
DrUnBiased
01-07-07, 02:24 PM
I don't see any DB9 in it (considered by many to be one of the most beautiful cars ever made).[/IMG]
Thats why it's a good thing we are all entitled to our own opinions. I'm sure I'm not the only person who see's it.
It is the side and rear shots that really remind me of the DB9.
1SICKLEX
01-07-07, 02:27 PM
The C-pillar is the same. Otherwise, you are doing the DB-9 a disservice.
I just posted where I said it looks like a vette and winding road agrees with me :)
Whatever, I'm reading 2 threads on the NSX forums and they very disappointed.
I think it needs a new name or maybe bring out another car, RWD, mid-engined as the NSX.
rosskoss
01-07-07, 02:29 PM
Yeah, we're all entitled to our own opinion.
DB9 - gorgeous! (minus front overhang)
Acura NSX - ugly.
DrUnBiased
01-07-07, 02:41 PM
Exactly.
I guess it's like the LS460 being said to look like the Camry or the RL like the Accord. Some see it, some don't.
DrUnBiased
01-07-07, 02:51 PM
Fire this clown already. Acura's designs are going from bad to worse with every new release.
That freak designed the freakish Acura Advanced Sedan Concept. I heard he has been demoted since. lol.
Japanese native John Ikeda designed the Acura Advanced Sports Car Concept.
GSteg
01-07-07, 03:43 PM
The HSC concept is sooo much better. Damn Acura's designer.
UDel
01-07-07, 03:49 PM
This car was styled at Acura's American studios. The HSC was styled in Japan. Acura is losing it. Designs like this will only make it even more difficult for the brand to gain traction. First the absolutely horrible looking MDX and RDX and now this monstrosity. Acura, please close up the American design studio and lets see some designs from Japan again.
I would not say this new concept is ugly by any means and it is actually a nice looking car, it is just a big disappointment as a replacement for the NSX (I think the MDX and RDX are nice looking SUVs with very nice interiors). As for a dissapointment for being a NSX replacement the main thing is the front engine layout instead of the mid engine layout. The next is its kind of bland styling that looks more like a coupe then a exotic sports car. It just does not have the gorgeous head turning exotic looks of the original NSX. It does not look like a 70K+ car either from the pictures let alone 90K or 100K. I know Acura knew that this is not what the previous owners wanted for the next NSX so it was probrably executed for what was best for Acura and not for the buyers of this car. I may have been a little hard on the concept and I will reserve final judgement for the production car especially till I see it in person since the concept is really too radical for what the production car would look like and I hope they don't tone it down or make it any more conservative when it hits production. If this was some type of higher end coupe to slot above the RL and below a real NSX replacement then it would be a perfectly good car but it is a dissapointment replacing the NSX. I know they could have come up with something more exotic looking and head turning then this even if it was front engined. Who knows maybe the production version will not weigh much more then the last NSX and will outperform it and all its competition in every category while maintaining a high level of driver feedback, if it does this then I will give it the proper respect it deserves. If they can keep the costs of it around the high 60's and spawn other models off its platform then that is all the better.
CK6Speed
01-07-07, 05:25 PM
It looks decent to me :) Gotta love a V-10 with SH-AWD!
Though I must add how some Honda faithful blasted the IS-F exhaust and they now have the same thing!
I'm one Honda enthusiasts that absolutely hates that dual staked exhausts. I think the rear end of this car is ugly. I like the side profile. Front profile is okay. Kind of looks Viper ish, or Corvette ish. The rear has to do, as well as those exhausts tips.
Gojirra99
01-07-07, 07:10 PM
I would not say this new concept is ugly by any means and it is actually a nice looking car, it is just a big disappointment as a replacement for the NSX ...... As for a dissapointment for being a NSX replacement the main thing is the front engine layout instead of the mid engine layout.
That's the way I think about it too . . . & I don't think there's anything seriously wrong with thre rear as some of the others do either . . .
MR_F1
01-07-07, 07:51 PM
HSC concept looks 10x better.
The NSX also needs to remain mid engined. V10 is nice though. Dont care for the SH-AWD, but I could live with it.
CK6Speed
01-07-07, 11:05 PM
That's the way I think about it too . . . & I don't think there's anything seriously wrong with thre rear as some of the others do either . . .
My post above I said the rear is ugly and I even took the Acura survey and said so as well. The more I look at it though you guys are right. The rear is not ugly. What made it ugly for me is those stupid stacked dual exhausts. That turns me off so much I just saw the whole rear end as ugly.
What was mentioned above about the disappointment about this car not really being the car itself but being an NSX replacement is right on I think. As someone that owned an NSX I just can't see the NSX being anything but mid engine. Acura making a front engine GT car is more than fine with me. They just need to let us all off the hook and officially say the NSX name is dead.
The price also needs to stay way down. When the NSX came out in 1990, it made people talk and ask the question why buy a Ferrari when you could buy this for much cheaper. The problem I see with this GT car is if the price is too high and along side its other GT car competition, people will ask why buy this Acura when you can buy a Lexus LF-A, Astin Martin, BMW M6 and such. If Acura was smart they would distance this car from the original NSX, call it something else, and sell if for no more than $70K.-$80K.
1SICKLEX
01-07-07, 11:14 PM
Chris, I am confused also. If this is front engined and V-10, I see M6 competitor. With SH-AWD though, it will probably be a better handler than it but like you said a GT, not a all out sports car like the NSX.
The LF-A is a V-10, not sure front or rear but the DIMENSIONS are of a sports car. The LF-A is smaller than a 911!!! This car is 180 inches long, that is he size of a TSX/IS350.
The GT-R will I feel blend both, 4 seats but harder edged than the Acura . Front engine, V-6 TT though will simply not convert those that want displacement.
Imagine a front engine V-8 911???? This is what Acura is doing to the NSX. I also hope they change the name.
CK6Speed
01-07-07, 11:35 PM
Chris, I am confused also. If this is front engined and V-10, I see M6 competitor. With SH-AWD though, it will probably be a better handler than it but like you said a GT, not a all out sports car like the NSX.
The LF-A is a V-10, not sure front or rear but the DIMENSIONS are of a sports car. The LF-A is smaller than a 911!!! This car is 180 inches long, that is he size of a TSX/IS350.
The GT-R will I feel blend both, 4 seats but harder edged than the Acura . Front engine, V-6 TT though will simply not convert those that want displacement.
Imagine a front engine V-8 911???? This is what Acura is doing to the NSX. I also hope they change the name.
Technology wise I have little doubt that this car will perform great. Just like I have no doubt the LF-A performance will be great. That is why I question this type of car coming from Acura being placed head to head with another Japanese competitor like the LF-A. The only way I see it being a great success is if it cost $30K less than an LF-A and other competitors. The size doesn't really concern me as small GT car or large GT car both the LF-A and ASC seem to be that that, a GT car. If Acura surprises us all and this car really does under cut the competition in MSRP by a good margin, I'd take it all back. That would be a great move. However, if this car lists anywhere near $100K, I just don't understand why Acura would want to compete in that segment when they could have easily cornered the $100K mid engine exotic car market and again have something that no other company had unless you wanted to drop down another $100K.
About the V10. I rather this car have a V8 and be priced no higher than $70K with 350-400HP than to have this car have a V10 with 500+ HP costing $100K.
1SICKLEX
01-07-07, 11:42 PM
Technology wise I have little doubt that this car will perform great. Just like I have no doubt the LF-A performance will be great. That is why I question this type of car coming from Acura being placed head to head with another Japanese competitor like the LF-A. The only way I see it being a great success is if it cost $30K less than an LF-A and other competitors. The size doesn't really concern me as small GT car or large GT car both the LF-A and ASC seem to be that that, a GT car. If Acura surprises us all and this car really does under cut the competition in MSRP by a good margin, I'd take it all back. That would be a great move. However, if this car lists anywhere near $100K, I just don't understand why Acura would want to compete in that segment when they could have easily cornered the $100K mid engine exotic car market and again have something that no other company had unless you wanted to drop down another $100K.
About the V10. I rather this car have a V8 and be priced no higher than $70K with 350-400HP than to have this car have a V10 with 500+ HP costing $100K.
Not sure what Acura is thinking recently. They are all OVER the map
TSX-4 cylinder
RDX-4 cylinder turbo
TL-V-6
RL-V-6, no V-8 option
MDX-V-6, no V-8 option
NSX-V-10
The Rl can't move a lick at 50k. The brand simply cannot convince people to drop serious coin on them. Since this will be over 50k, I fear it will sell poorly again. Competiton is thick!
XK-R
911 and all 20 varients, lol
Aston Martin V-8
M6
GT-R
Maserati coupe
AMG Benzs left and right CLS, SL, CL, CLK
Audi R8
bitkahuna
01-08-07, 12:13 AM
I think that's seriously hawt. :woohoo:
1SICKLEX
01-08-07, 12:21 AM
I think that's seriously hawt. :woohoo:
yeah, you like how the corvette looks:D
94lex83457
01-08-07, 02:55 AM
I think it looks more like the LF-A than a vette...I just scrolled after reading the article and the first thing that came to mind was Lexus knock-off.
It's too bad that Acura has forsaken the NSX tradition. I understand it's a concept but Acura won't build a new platform this far into the game.
CK6Speed
01-08-07, 04:26 PM
I think it looks more like the LF-A than a vette...I just scrolled after reading the article and the first thing that came to mind was Lexus knock-off.
It's too bad that Acura has forsaken the NSX tradition. I understand it's a concept but Acura won't build a new platform this far into the game.
According to some, in fact one that predicted this very car since he knows the designer from the LA design team, there were two working prototypes of different designs. Both front engine though. This is one of them and probably the one that won out.
Doc C
01-08-07, 10:40 PM
This car should be called the CL. Or, they should go back to the Legend name IMO. The Legend was a great car, and that's when Acura truly built fantastic inspired automobiles. I'll never understand why they dumped the Legend/Integra name for RL etc.. I own a 2004 NSX and am glad to have one of the last great ones. Most on NSXprime think this car sucks!!! I have to agree. Acura has been trumped by Audi with the R8 and by Lexus with the LF-A. To me, those will be the best sports car/GT car combo out there in the 90-130K price point.
After all this time, to drop a bomb like this.....Mr. Honda is probably rolling in his grave!!!!
GSteg
01-08-07, 11:03 PM
Yea. If Mr. Honda was alive right now, he would be sooo dissappointed. C'mon Honda/Acura, give the consumers what they want..not what you 'think' they want. :mad:
CK6Speed
01-08-07, 11:11 PM
Yea. If Mr. Honda was alive right now, he would be sooo dissappointed. C'mon Honda/Acura, give the consumers what they want..not what you 'think' they want. :mad:
If Soichiro Honda were alive we would talking about the 3rd generation NSX right now and Ferrari would still be holding their breath.:p
flipside909
01-08-07, 11:30 PM
Being at NAIAS today covering the LF-A & IS-F release, I had a chance to see this car in person today, just across the way from the Honda Accord Concept. This car being the "exotic" that Acura has to offer...is not that exciting in my opinion. The front end sorry to say is boring, and it's profile is actually taller dare I say twice the height of the NSX. Although the car having or the illusion of having a wide stance, it's a big vehicle all around. In the rear, it does posess the previous CL's center pointed body line in the back. The car almost looks like a corvette in some angles, then a G35 coupe and of course the Aston. It's definely not a real NSX replacement in our eyes...but we'll just have to see what Acura does in the future.
CK6Speed
01-09-07, 04:47 PM
Someone on NSX Prime photoshoped this. Still a little awkward looking, but all of a sudden it actually looks like an NSX replacement. That is the direction Honda/Acura should have been going toward in the first place.
According to the press release by Acura on what CEO Fujio and product speciliasts at Acura said, this is 90% production as is - the next NSX, which means SERIOUS business by Acura. This car was just plain sinister and syck, and had so much of local tv news crew all over it doing segments live from cobo all over the public show days.