Hire Honda NSX

Honda NSX Hire

After Honda decided to actively pursue the project, the HP-X concept car evolved into the NS-X (New Sportscar eXperimental) prototype. The NS-X prototype and eventual production car was designed by a team led by Chief Designer Ken Okuyama and Executive Chief Engineer Shigeru Uehara, who subsequently would be placed in charge of the S2000 project. The original performance target for the NS-X was the Ferrari 328, which was revised to the 348 as the design neared completion. Honda intended the NS-X to meet or exceed the performance of the Ferrari, while offering Honda reliability and a lower price point. For this reason, the 2.0L V6 of the HP-X was abandoned and replaced with a more powerful 3.0L VTEC V6 engine. The bodywork design had been specifically researched by Okuyuma and Uehara after studying the 360 degree visibility inside an F-16 fighter jet cockpit. The NS-X was designed to showcase several Honda automotive innovations, many derived from its highly successful motorsports program.

The NS-X was the first production car to feature an all-aluminum chassis, suspension and body, incorporating an extruded aluminum alloy frame. The use of aluminum in the body alone saved nearly 200 kg in weight over the steel equivalent while the aluminum suspension saved an additional 20 kg; a suspension compliance pivot helped maintain wheel alignment changes at a near zero value; an independent, 4-channel anti-lock brake system; titanium connecting rods in the engine to permit reliable high-rpm operation; an electric power steering system; Honda's proprietary VTEC variable valve timing system (a first in the US); and in 1995 the first electronic throttle control. The engine and transmission used the then conventional mid-engined, transverse arrangement, while radiators and cooling were in the nose. Engine lubrication was provided by a conventional wet sump.