Image 1 of 24
A lot has happened since Honda presented the NSX concept at the Detroit Motor Show back in 2012. Since then, Mercedes launched the scintillating AMG GT, Audi rolled out its howling all-new R8, and McLaren dazzled us with the 570S. It seems that Honda is in danger of being left behind in a cloud of tyre smoke.
After all, the concept we saw back in 2012 looks almost identical to the production version Honda showcased at Geneva earlier this year. So, why has it taken so long to get to where we are today: in Tochigi, Japan with the keys to the finished product?
While the finished NSX may look largely unchanged from the concept, beneath the surface Honda essentially decided to start from scratch half way through the development process. The naturally-aspirated V6 became a twin-turbo V6 and the longitudinal engine layout became transverse.
Image 3 of 24
So, what Honda eventually came up with – as you probably know by know – is a 3.5-litre V6 twin-turbo supercar that calls upon three electric motors to supplement power. Two electric motors bolted onto the front axle develop 73Nm of torque a piece, while a third motor nestles between the V6 engine and a nine-speed dual clutch gearbox producing a further 143Nm of torque. The result is 565bhp and 646Nm of torque.
That all sounds like quite a lot to cram into a car that’s shorter than all its closest competitors. And you’d be right - the NSX weighs in at a rather lardy 1,725kg. To give you some context, that’s 80kg heavier than an AMG GT S, 170kg more than an Audi R8 V10 Plus and frankly ridiculous 412kg bulkier than the carbon-tubbed McLaren 570S. The NSX is based around an aluminium space frame, uses a carbon fibre floor but neither can offset the bulk of the batteries.
Image 4 of 24
What none of the NSX’s rivals have, however, is the ability to call upon electric assistance to stoke the fire that is the internal combustion engine. The result is explosive acceleration. Honda still remains coy on an official 0-62mph time, but we heard whispers of a very believable sub three-second sprint time.
Pin your right foot to the throttle and there is absolutely no hesitation from the engine. The only reminder that the NSX is turbocharged is the whoosh and hiss from the turbos as you lift off the throttle. The revs whip around to the 7,500rpm limiter, while the nine-speed dual-clutch auto slams another ratio home. Induction noise is pumped back into the cabin, but if we’re honest the V6 lacks that aural drama you get from Mercedes and Audi with V8s.
Image 6 of 24
Peak torque arrives at only 2,000rpm and begins to tail off around 4,000rpm later, so the pick up is almost immediate with the electric motors providing boost while the turbos spool up. Steering wheel mounted paddles give you access to the nine ratios, and at times we did find ourselves having to glance down at the digital readout to see what gear we were in given the sheer amount of them. Having said that, the huge slug of torque on tap is likely to forgive any clumsy shifting.
So, the 1,725kg kerbweight seems to have little effect in terms of outright performance, but just how that will impact handling remains to be seen. Has Honda finally arrived at the supercar table with a credible offering? The initial signs are positive; but as is the theme with the NSX, we’ll just have to wait a bit longer to find out the rest. Roll on 2016.
- Price: £100,000 (est)
- Engine: 3.5-litre twin-turbo and three electric motors
- Transmission: Nine-speed dual clutch transmission, four-wheel drive
- Power: 565bhp
- Top speed: 191mph
- 0-62mph: 3.0 seconds (est)
- Economy: 24mpg (est)
- On sale: Spring 2016