It’s the second outing for Honda’s
NSX CONCEPT and how it has seats…
When we first saw the NSX concept in
Detroit last year, its windows were smoky black and its doors were sealed shut.
And while we wrote pleasant things about the exterior styling and frothed at
the thought of a reborn hero, without an interior, it felt like a speck on the
supercar horizon. A year on, and it’s starting to edge closer. Back in Detroit
earlier this year, perched on a dazzling white show stand, the sheets were
whipped of again… and the driver’s door was flung open.
New
Honda NSX Concept
This, then, is version 2.0. It’s still a
concept, and Honda or rather Acura, its posh American relation – stresses
things may change. But since the last showing, its evolution has amounted to a
few millimeters trimmed here and there and a new shade of paint. Plus – of
course – a whole interior. But where many concept cockpits are works of fantasy
with nowhere to put your cup of coffee, this one has a traditional rear-view
mirror and storage compartments.
Honda
NSX Concept - Rear Angle
The seat bolsters, carbon grab rails and
transmission tunnel seem to pounce forward, as if they’re making a break for
the windscreen, but that’s about as fancy as it gets. There’s a simple cluster
of buttons where the transmission tunnel meets the center console, to operate
the gearbox, handbrake and sport modes. Above them is an oblong infotainment
screen. The steering wheel is roundish, with three spokes. The seats are thin
and beautifully sculpted. And, thanks to the slim floating buttresses, the rear
’screen and three-quarter windows have more breathing space, so you won’t lose
scooters in your blind spot.
You could imagine it going on sale overseas
looking just like this when it reaches production in about two years from now.
Honda’s people weren’t giving much else away, but we’ll eat our origami swans
if it doesn’t have the petrol-electric powertrain and 4WD we speculated on last
year. The petrol engine, most likely a 3.5 liter V6 with 400bhp, will be
correctly placed in the middle of the car and power the rear wheels. Then there
are two electric motors up front: one for each wheel, operating independently
to sniff out grip and see of under steer, plus another one in the transmission
at the rear to boost engine power when asked. Together, the electric motors
will most probably add about 100bhp to the powertrain, bringing the new NSX to
500bhp overall.
Honda
NSX Concept - Rear
Standing beside it, with the roofline
hovering somewhere just above your waist, it’s hard to fathom how they’ve
crammed all those motors inside. It’s as low and taut as an Audi R8. And
although the driving position is a proper bum-on-the-floor affair, you can
slide across the thinnish sills without too much puffing. This feels like a car
you could happily live with every day. So let’s hope v3.0 doesn’t change the
game, whenever it arrives. Because if it stays like this, you could be looking
at one of the most exciting cars we’ll drive this decade.
