Spy shots: Acura NSX test mule hits the 'Ring
As we expected, the 2009 Acura NSX test mule spotted in a garage just outside the Nurburgring eventually made its way onto to the test track. Seeing the car out in the open reveals just how different this prototype is from the S2000 shell it's based on. The wheelbase has clearly been stretched out with the driver sitting almost dead center in the chassis. The width doesn't appear to have changed much, but the wheels and tires are definitely bigger than anything seen on an S2000...
And you can disregard all of this sheetmetal by the way as we've heard this car is getting a full redesign after a cool reaction to the
Sports Car Concept shown in Detroit.
If someone can get engine bay shots, I'll be the happiest guy on Edmunds! I wanna see how that V10 looks under the hood :-)
Do spy photographers ever try to get rough lap times when cars are testing on the 'Ring?
Hmmm... Seems like a lot of space in front of the rear wheels and in between the passenger compartment. I wonder if it still might be mid-engined?
That's what a lot of people are saying over on the TOV site, Bob. I'll admit that it's interesting that the room behind the seats has been stretched, but I'm still subscribing to a FR layout. If Honda pulls the Ace out of their sleeve and says the NSX really is a MR car, that'll be the the biggest automotive pwning in the history of the automobile...
...and I'll be an even happier guy on Edmunds!
Seems like this is a pre-requisit for any sports car nowadays, testing on the 'ring, that is.
Is it just me or are those tailpipes too boy-racerish? Even the IS-F has the same style which is definitely a turnoff.
I agree, ateixeira, which is why I'm a little sad we don't have shots of an Evo or STI running around it yet.
trjnflip, it's just a test mule, so they're trying to make everything fit around the suspension and whatever else is back there. I wouldn't assume that Honda's going to use that as a design feature.
Despite the MR hopes, the proportions look like that of the Lexus supercar, which turned out to be FR. A GT is better for Acura anyway; the real sports cars fit better in the Honda brand. It'd be nice to have a couple of those...
It would be great if they keep that exhaust. The everyday use of this car is going to make it very hard for people to turn down. And I would also be very happy to see a picture of that V-10.
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I was just over on the TOV site and someone brought up a good point: looking at the frontal view, there's no radiator visible. You would think that with a V10 that's supposedly 5.0L that the engine bay would be pretty crammed which would probably make the radiator visible through the grille. Pair that with the fact that the body is stretched behind the seats instead of up front and I'm thinking this things MR.
This is probably just wishful thinking, but a guy can hope!
i wonder how the new nsx will compete with the upcoming lexus.