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11 May 2016
5 May 2016
Honda NSX
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Honda_NSX_reg_1991_2977_cc.JPG |
What do you get if you take a Honda with Pininfarina-designed body panel and inject sporty DNA into it's vein to challenge the likes of Ferrari? The answer is the Honda NSX. Though it went into production in 1990, it's development began in 1984.
Tracing it's root back to 1984, Honda approached Pininfarina, an Italian coachbuilder, to commission the HP-X (Honda Pininfarina eXperimental) concept with a 2 litre V6 engine mounted amidship.
Source: http://www.topspeed.com/cars/honda/1990-2005-honda-nsx-ar1449.html |
During it's development period, the Honda management figured they could create a supercar that rivals the performance of the Ferrari while offering stellar reliability and lower price tag. As a result, the HP-X concept evolved into the NSX (New Sportscar eXperimental).
Honda set the Ferrari 348 as a benchmark. To fulfill Honda's vision to put the 348 to shame, out goes the 2 litre V6 from the concept and in goes a more powerful mid-mounted transverse 3 litre VTEC DOHC V6 with a variable length intake manifold that churned out 270 bhp to the rear wheels via a 5 speed manual. The use of titanium connecting rod further optimised the output of the 'Ferrari burner'.
In the chassis department, the Honda engineers received a helping hand from the late triple F1 champion, Ayrton Senna who clinched the 1988, 1990 and 1991 title driving for the McLaren Honda team. Thanks to his input, the NSX chassis gained the much needed rigidity, and much beefier double wishbone suspension all-round, endowing Honda's answer to Ferrari with an impressive cornering speed.
Weight reduction played a crucial role to the NSX's quest to demonstrate its performance credibility. This called for aluminium body panel and aluminium suspension arms. The extensive use of aluminium endowed the NSX with a curb weight of 1370 kg.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_NSX_(first_generation)#1992_NSX-R_.28Japanese_domestic_market.29 |
Throughout it's production run from 1990-2005, the NSX had gone through several upgrades. Most notably was when the first iteration of the NSX-Type R, or NSX-R, was rolled out the assembly line in 1992 featuring a much larger, more powerful 3.2 litre V6 tuned by Mugen, extensive weight reduction, extra beefy suspension and a more aggressive final drive ratio up to 4.235:1 from the stock 4.06:1 for eyeball-popping acceleration. In 2002, the NSX Type R received a facelift which saw the introduction of carbon fibre to further cut weight and boosting power via engine tweaking. The result is a Nurburgring lap time of 7:56 rivalling the Ferrari F360 Challenge Stradale, set by a former Japanese racing driver and current Best Motoring presenter, Motoharu Kurosawa.
To this writer, the NSX is Honda's stepping stone to challenge the European performance icon. The recently launched second generation NSX with it's new powertrain represents the stride Honda has made to become a major player in the high performance car industry.
Bravo Aston!
Source: www.dubicars.com |
Okay, what is so special about Aston's new V12 Vantage S compared to the previous iteration? Well, it is not really Aston going bonkers with liberating extra juice from the same 6 litre V12 (it still makes the same 563 hp at 6750 rpm and 620 Nm of torque at 5750 rpm). What makes it special is the bit that passes the V12 power to the rear wheels, the transmission.
What is so special about the transmission I heard you ask? Well, the new V12 Vantage S is a departure from the previous model where manual was not even an option (only a 7 speed Sportshift III automated manual was offerred mind you). This time round our Gaydon friend has shoehorned...hold your breath...3 pedals and a human-operated H-gate shifter!
Source: paultan.org |
To top it off, the transmission is equipped with the AMSHIFT, which automatically blips the throttle on downshift to simulate a clean heel toe downshift, made possible by clutch, gear position and propshaft sensor. If you wish to do your own heel toe, the system can be turned off.
The return of manual in the V12 Vantage S after a brief hibernation should be a welcome relief to the enthusiasts camp. The 7 speed Sportshift III automated manual remains an option in the new Vantage S if clutching in and out is not your idea of driving.
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