Honda to Discontinue Production of the NSX

[Global Warming]

I thought they already announced this about a year ago too, but anyway Honda has renounced this today for what ever reason.

http://www.world.honda.com/news/2005/4050712.html

"TOKYO, Japan, July 12, 2005 - Honda Motor Co., Ltd. has announced that it will discontinue production of the NSX, a vehicle that has enjoyed considerable popularity as pure sports car and won many fans worldwide. Honda is currently working on a successor, a new sports car for a new era, which is to incorporate Honda’s most advanced technology.

The NSX made its debut in 1990 as a genuine mid-engine sports car with an all-aluminum monocoque body—a world’s first for a production vehicle at the time. The NSX continued to evolve, with performance improvements including increased displacement, a 6-speed manual transmission, enhanced aerodynamic performance, and different tire sizes, along with the addition of the NSX Type-T open-top model and the NSX Type-R pure sports model with further enhanced driving performance. One of the first true sports cars to adopt clean emissions measures, the NSX succeeded in combining exhilarating driving performance with superior environmental performance. As a result, the NSX achieved total worldwide sales of more than 18,000* units during the 15 years it was in production.

Even after NSX production draws to a close, Honda will continue to foster an environment supportive of NSX owners and their enjoyment of their cars, through meticulous maintenance of NSX vehicles, a Refresh Plan to preserve vehicles in their optimum condition, and the continuing support of NSX Owners’ Meetings to assist owners who wish to enhance their driving skills.

Production of vehicles destined for the North American market will be discontinued at the end of December, 2005. Production of vehicles destined for the European market will be discontinued at the end of September, 2005.
*As of the end of June 2005 "

[ae86_16v]

That's so sad. . . it was such a great car. . . still is.

Could you imagine what the NSX would've been if Honda made a new generation or two within that 15 year span?!?

And last I heard they cancelled the HSX concept too.

I drove one of these about 2 years ago or so. One of the best driving cars I have ever driven. Engine was super smooth, tranny was like a sequential, and driving experience wise was pure exotic. I was just driving it around local streets so I wasn't pushing it at all, but nevertheless the car really shined.

Sad sad day. . .

[Toronto]

isn't this a repost?
or maybe i just red it in a mag :(
they also said they arn't going to show the honda replacement at the Tokyo show ^^^ as ae86_16v said

[sads]

Wow its hard to belive its been around for 15yrs, anyway I just hope their next sports car realy sets some new standards, with no power cap in Japan anymore they can go as wild as they like. I realy hope they are concentraing on a new car not the HSC even though it was a cool car, I'd like to see the next NSX with some F1 technology in it similar to what BMW has done with the M5

[Global Warming]

The NSX is an odd car. It has a hand built aluminum engine that have always made it expensive. It was a great car for about the first 7 years. But then its V6/non-turbo engine just could not match the rest of the market. Its too bad Honda didn’t develop a V8 back when they should have 10 years ago.

The other odd thing about the NSX is that is was the dream of Mr. Honda that the NSX be a supercar that would also be as easy and nice to drive every day as a civic. It has a very nice, durable, easy to drive manual almost identical the S2k and Civic-R. That is why the NSX has always been available in an Automatic. What other cars in that market would sell an automatic? Not even the S2k and Civic-R come in auto.... :shock: .....

If Honda wants a new (mid-engine) “supercar” it will have to be with a v8 or at least a Turbo 6. And I don’t think Honda is ever going to make a production Turbo, that would go directly against their whole V-TEC philosophy.

[ae86_16v]

Remember the original one was built on the success that Honda had in Formula 1. And it was developed with Aryton Senna.

Global - 911s come in automatics.

But yeah, I don't think they should go turbo either. High-revving V8 would be nice.

[Global Warming]

Global - 911s come in automatics.


Ha yeah thats true. Shocking but true. I guess they just know what a big part of the market that is... :wink:

[SilviaEvo]

a turbo with V-TEC is basically impossible for Honda. what factory built Honda has a Turbo? its always been strictly NA production and add an aftermarket Turbo if you want. too bad it is going to be gone. i really love the NSX it is just too expensive.

[gigdy]

Wow its hard to belive its been around for 15yrs, anyway I just hope their next sports car realy sets some new standards, with no power cap in Japan anymore they can go as wild as they like. I realy hope they are concentraing on a new car not the HSC even though it was a cool car, I'd like to see the next NSX with some F1 technology in it similar to what BMW has done with the M5

there never was a power cap in japan it was a gentlemens agreement not to make cars with over 300hp, just like the bikes are all limited to 300kph

[ae86_16v]

Global - 911s come in automatics.


Ha yeah thats true. Shocking but true. I guess they just know what a big part of the market that is... :wink:

Yeah. . . built especially for lazy americans. :D .

a turbo with V-TEC is basically impossible for Honda. what factory built Honda has a Turbo? its always been strictly NA production and add an aftermarket Turbo if you want. too bad it is going to be gone. i really love the NSX it is just too expensive.

Especially these last few years. But when it came out it was cheap. Hell of a deal too.

[Global Warming]

a turbo with V-TEC is basically impossible for Honda. what factory built Honda has a Turbo? its always been strictly NA production and add an aftermarket Turbo if you want. too bad it is going to be gone. i really love the NSX it is just too expensive.

Yes that is true. The way V-Tec works it would go ageist the Turbo. The V-TEC works by not opening all the valves until very high RPM. Of course the cams and transmission are optimized for this high rev power. The S2k, Civic, are above 6,000 RPM until the valves open all the way!! A turbo would need those valves open much sooner, 4,000RPM at least. That is why it’s better to use the base Honda engines of the 2.0l and 2.4l if you want to add turbo. And again that would go directly against everything Honda has been doing all theses years with VTEC.

[gobs3z]

That is why it’s better to use the base Honda engines of the 2.0l and 2.4l if you want to add turbo.

CRV block to be exact :) , one move that honda could gain from is start adapting their very good AWD that you see on the Acura's and applying them to their Honda counterparts. Or possibly putting the Accord on a RWD chassis and make a very sporty saloon out of it, a new Accord Type-R that isn't limited by it's FWD capabilities. Taking the NSX and the S2000 out of their line up will force them to build a new RWD sports car for Honda or Acura, and it would be smart if they put it in the 350Z, RX-8 class, and put an Acura counterpart towards the G35.

Also since BMW is possibly putting into production a turbo 3-series then i wouldn't at all be surprised if Honda went the same route since those companies have VERY similar criteria and same mind-set on the cars they build.

[Global Warming]

I guarantee you that the next new Honda “super/sports” car will have its “SH-AWD” and not RWD. After all they went out on a limb as is by calling their AWD “SH” for “Super Handling”. Now they have to use that in something other than the heavy, boring RL.

[gobs3z]

Well for one they would be idiots to use any AWD on their 2.4L or less NA engines since you must have sufficiant amount of torque to pull that extra drivetrain and the loss of power from that drivetrain. They would either need a V-8 or turbo 4 or 6 to put out sufficient performance figures.

It's just that their is still a huge market in that 30k range that the 350Z, G35, and 3-series dominate, and Honda can easily make a very competative car for that class to stay in that 30k range but AWD would overprice the car.

But putting the AWD system on a super/sports would be very interesting indeed, i'm just very curious what engine they would build to match with it, HOPEFULLY....a V-TEC V-8. :D

[Global Warming]

I hope they do come out with a new 4 cyl, RWD car, they need to like you said! But Honda has only done two RWD ever that I know of, the S2k and NSX. I see them going after the G35 with a V6 - SH-AWD car before doing another RWD. But then again a new V6- SH-AWD car would just be a watered down RL. Well if it was about 600 pounds lighter and $10,000 cheaper that would actually be ok!!

But you can conclude that Honda must go V8 or RWD. Or both. If not it will be nothing new. And not able to match any of the other auto makers. Honda’s stock has been down for that very reason. Because there car line is aging so badly compared to the competition. The Ridgeline and Element are by far the biggest money makers right now.

Edit: Unless they are willing to give up performance all together and just go economical, hybrid, fuel efficient, etc.

[gobs3z]

The Ridgeline and Element are by far the biggest money makers right now.


Thats the most painful thing i've ever heard (Damb that Element). :( Honda is not a dumb company, but just a little too conservative. They just need a car that'll push a boundary in technology that doesn't base everything on their V-TEC engines.

[Daggernite]

To me the NSX was the japanese supercar and abit of a ledgend. When watching BMI even tho its only 280BHP it can still keep up, and even beat the more powered Ferrari's and so on. Its a car where balance and handling was almost perfect I think, so I don't really think Honda need to stress too hard about making and a engine much more powerful than the NSX. Either way its gonna be good seeing what they will come up with.

[gobs3z]

The issue i have is that the only way you could see the potential that Honda's NSX and S2000 had were from the aftermarket tuners. The 3.2 in the NSX could have come from the factory with 400hp reliably and NA if they decided to push some limits on the car, and thats after the drop of the 280hp agreement. BM is also not a very reliable look at the NSX since they had their best driver always driving it, and i'm sure if they had put him in a 360 for every race then the 360 would always pull out on top.

[Global Warming]

The Ridgeline and Element are by far the biggest money makers right now.


Thats the most painful thing i've ever heard (Damb that Element). :( Honda is not a dumb company, but just a little too conservative. They just need a car that'll push a boundary in technology that doesn't base everything on their V-TEC engines.

Haha you have to admit the Element is GREAT value! AWD, great options, lots of space, good fuel economy for cars like it, cheap insurance, very low maintenance, will run forever... al for around 19k! I am even considering one myself. Its one of the best values on the road, no wonder they are selling so many.

[gobs3z]

Thats the only car i wish they had been conservative with the looks, and i 100% agree with you on the value but i cannot see beyond the looks so it will always sadden me. :cry: haha

[szumszer]

they should take the VW road and mesh two acura RL V6 engines together to create a honda supercar, but at the same time develop a V10 for the NSX replacement in spirit of F1 involvement; so many car companies are expanding their fleets, why not honda/acura; and no, building SUVs and pickups does not quite count as expanding your fleet in my book, especially for a company with such a rich F1 heritage

[Global Warming]

and no, building SUVs and pickups does not quite count as expanding your fleet in my book, especially for a company with such a rich F1 heritage

Yeah I agree, and sadly I’m sure what we will be seeing from Honda is a lot more hybrids. That is true from everyone. Both GM and Ford are blaming there poor sales on the fact that they do not have enough fuel efficient, and hybrid models. Ford is scrambling to get out their new Hybrid SUV, I think it’s a ranger. But they said they will only get 2,000 built in 05 so that wont even make a tiny dint in their sales problem. Regardless if high gas prices are a real problem or not people are perceiving it to be a real issue and changing the kinds of cars they are buying. Its kind of a sad period in autos in some ways because hybrids are going to be main stream from all makers regardless if we like it or not.

[ae86_16v]

A little something for you guys. . . :D

http://img300.imageshack.us/img300/2570/themaster18ml.th.jpg (http://img300.imageshack.us/my.php?image=themaster18ml.jpg)

http://img300.imageshack.us/img300/9524/themaster2200209015yn.th.jpg (http://img300.imageshack.us/my.php?image=themaster2200209015yn.jpg)