http://www.vtec.net/news/news-item?news_item_id=663141
An interesting article.
Personally to me it would be a good thing.
The NSX is a mid engined rear wheel drive car with a super power to weight ratio and superb dynamics.
The ASCC was not that car. It was not the replacement for that car.
The NSX never sold well, but what it did do was to prove that a lowly "economy" minded japanese company could build a car that would STOMP the competition in every way shape and form.
Not only did it outhandle, outrun, and out look its closest Ferrari competitor at the time; it cost substantially less and was everyday drivable.
Yes, this was the era where Ferraris were about hugging the service garage floor and boulevard bragging rights.
The NSX could be driven hundreds of thousands of miles and be perfectly happy and reliable doing it with minor preventative maintenance.
This is what Honda is thinking clearly on:
Lots of horsepower
Lots of technology
Lots of "bragging" rights
Here is where they need some help:
AWD is not pure in the same sense as Mid/Rear. It does get the job done, but the driving experience is wholly different.
FR while being undeniably attractive and powerful looking, IS NOT as outrageously sporting or sexy as Mid Rear. There is just something in the proportions of an MR car that scream business.
Ferrari Dino
Ferrari Testarossa
Ferrari 328
Ferrari 348
Ferrari F360/F430
Lamborghini Countach
Lamborghini Diablo
Lamborghini Murcielago
Lamborghini Gallardo
Lamborghini Miura
McLaren F1
Bugatti EB110
Bugatti Veyron
Ford GT and GT40
DeTomaso Pantera and Mangusta
Those are just a few off the top of my head.
Ever notice how the "supercar" connotation typically applies to this configuration?
It is not by coincidence that the fastest racecars on a track that does anything but go straight have this configuration.
The NSX didn't necessarily fail because it was a Honda. It also didn't fail because it was incapable. By many performance measures, it was at the top of its game for 10 years or more. Many cars could exceed its performance in one or two areas, but most could not completely shut it out.
On a track today, it would still be a potent option. 16 years after it hit the market.
The NSX primarily "failed" because it didn't have the pinnache. At this level of sports cars, most are sold because of the name or the numbers. Very few people who own Ferraris (at least in this country) REALLY know how to drive them.
With 290HP and a V6, it didn't have the prestige at the Country Club whether it was capable of beating those that did or not.
Also, it is hard to classify the NSX as a failure because it definitely had a Halo effect that ended up having profound and far reaching effects on the company and its market.
Without NSX there would be no VTEC. Without VTEC Honda wouldn't have acheived many of the sales that it did. So even though the NSX may not have made money, look at all of the product lines it bolstered or created that did.
The Integra GS-R
The Integra Type R
The Prelude VTEC
The 99-00 Civic Si
The S2000
The 2003+ RSX
The 2006+ Civic Si
and that is just in this country.
It was because of the soul of the NSX that these cars were given a chance at life.
This is what Honda needs:
We want an absolute unreserved attempt at the soul that we KNOW Honda has. Don't be afraid to make the cars that you know are best. That is what made you who you are.
If you build the cars that we lust after, then I promise you will sell them. Even if we can't all afford to step up to something as breathtaking as an NSX, we will most likely fall in throughout your product line if you maximize the DNA transfer.
Honda makes great cars. They always have. They shouldn't be ashamed of it. Rather they should embrace it.
They made the most storied marque in history redefine they way they had done business for decades. They forced everyone to be better at what they did, and the consumer benefitted because of it.
Bravo Honda. Now just go back and do what you do best.
An interesting article.
Personally to me it would be a good thing.
The NSX is a mid engined rear wheel drive car with a super power to weight ratio and superb dynamics.
The ASCC was not that car. It was not the replacement for that car.
The NSX never sold well, but what it did do was to prove that a lowly "economy" minded japanese company could build a car that would STOMP the competition in every way shape and form.
Not only did it outhandle, outrun, and out look its closest Ferrari competitor at the time; it cost substantially less and was everyday drivable.
Yes, this was the era where Ferraris were about hugging the service garage floor and boulevard bragging rights.
The NSX could be driven hundreds of thousands of miles and be perfectly happy and reliable doing it with minor preventative maintenance.
This is what Honda is thinking clearly on:
Lots of horsepower
Lots of technology
Lots of "bragging" rights
Here is where they need some help:
AWD is not pure in the same sense as Mid/Rear. It does get the job done, but the driving experience is wholly different.
FR while being undeniably attractive and powerful looking, IS NOT as outrageously sporting or sexy as Mid Rear. There is just something in the proportions of an MR car that scream business.
Ferrari Dino
Ferrari Testarossa
Ferrari 328
Ferrari 348
Ferrari F360/F430
Lamborghini Countach
Lamborghini Diablo
Lamborghini Murcielago
Lamborghini Gallardo
Lamborghini Miura
McLaren F1
Bugatti EB110
Bugatti Veyron
Ford GT and GT40
DeTomaso Pantera and Mangusta
Those are just a few off the top of my head.
Ever notice how the "supercar" connotation typically applies to this configuration?
It is not by coincidence that the fastest racecars on a track that does anything but go straight have this configuration.
The NSX didn't necessarily fail because it was a Honda. It also didn't fail because it was incapable. By many performance measures, it was at the top of its game for 10 years or more. Many cars could exceed its performance in one or two areas, but most could not completely shut it out.
On a track today, it would still be a potent option. 16 years after it hit the market.
The NSX primarily "failed" because it didn't have the pinnache. At this level of sports cars, most are sold because of the name or the numbers. Very few people who own Ferraris (at least in this country) REALLY know how to drive them.
With 290HP and a V6, it didn't have the prestige at the Country Club whether it was capable of beating those that did or not.
Also, it is hard to classify the NSX as a failure because it definitely had a Halo effect that ended up having profound and far reaching effects on the company and its market.
Without NSX there would be no VTEC. Without VTEC Honda wouldn't have acheived many of the sales that it did. So even though the NSX may not have made money, look at all of the product lines it bolstered or created that did.
The Integra GS-R
The Integra Type R
The Prelude VTEC
The 99-00 Civic Si
The S2000
The 2003+ RSX
The 2006+ Civic Si
and that is just in this country.
It was because of the soul of the NSX that these cars were given a chance at life.
This is what Honda needs:
We want an absolute unreserved attempt at the soul that we KNOW Honda has. Don't be afraid to make the cars that you know are best. That is what made you who you are.
If you build the cars that we lust after, then I promise you will sell them. Even if we can't all afford to step up to something as breathtaking as an NSX, we will most likely fall in throughout your product line if you maximize the DNA transfer.
Honda makes great cars. They always have. They shouldn't be ashamed of it. Rather they should embrace it.
They made the most storied marque in history redefine they way they had done business for decades. They forced everyone to be better at what they did, and the consumer benefitted because of it.
Bravo Honda. Now just go back and do what you do best.
the one thing that most MR supercars have is AMAZING balance, balance that cant be compared to anything else. it is kind of a goofy comparison though, supermodified to 'stock'. i wish my car was that kind of 'stock' haha.
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