Acura NSX Roadster?

Remember the much awaited Honda/Acura NSX that was revealed in North America International Motor Show earlier in January? Well, apparently this is the roadster version, allegedly leaked from European patent office. The car is virtually identical to the car previewed during the introduction of the Avenger movie .

Many media is speculating that this could very well be the roadster version of the forthcoming 2015 Honda NSX. However, due to fact this car is immensely identical with the car in Avenger the movie, MMN think that this patent could be just, well, patenting the concept car design featured in that particular movie. This essentially will prevent any parties from making a copy of unprotected design. Anyway, that NSX at NAIAS 2012 is not that different anyway, saved for the LED headlighting, fixed roof and that's pretty much about it. 

More photos after the jump, depicting the front, rear, top and side profile of the patented design.

Acura ILX - Stylish Acura entry model on Civic platform

Acura has introduced its entry-level model at Chicago Motorshow, called Acura ILX. Based on the 9th generation Honda Civic underpinning, Acura has practically dressed-up the car using an all-new panel exclusive from the one on Civic to attain the premium status of Acura brand positioning in the American market. 

Acura stated the intent of the ILX as being targeted to " Generation Y-successful 20 and 30 somethings moving into luxury car ranks but looking for high value propositions in their purchases". High value propositions probably means cheap, and it this case, an entry level to the premium brand. While the ILX shares Civic platfrom, the exterior and interior styling has been restyled beyond recognition from its donor. Acura ILX retained the 2,670mm wheelbase from the Civic platfrom, however the overall length has grown by around 25mm to 4,550mm. Width too has been increased by 38mm to 1,793mm and height has been dropped by 22mm to 1,412mm for a sportier stance. The front end of Acura ILX bears the latest evolution of Acura corporates' beak and it goes wheel with the rest of crispy character line alongside the side panel. While the latest Civic has dropped its wrapped-around front fender to cheapened the die cost, Acura has done the same too, perhaps its the bodyshell hardpoint that's not interchangeable.

For the profile view, Acura ILX offers more muscular appearance with sculpted body panel instead of being weedy like the 9th Civic. The body panels is voluminous instead of slab flat with proper character line along the waist that kicks up above the rear wheel arch. The reverse rake C-pillar however bears the Civic styling cue.

The rear end adopts familiar Acura signature slim rear lights, The design follows the trend like the front fascia with its crisp line and a well-defined details in the lights graphic and trunk lid and rear bumper curvatures. Due to its higher-price position, pitching at the premium end of the market, Acura has managed to include features such as crisp sharp radius body panel that is usually more expensive to be produced. More details after the jump.

2015 Honda NSX previewed at North American International Auto Show

Remember when Honda said the Avenger's Acura concept car has nothing to do with the new NSX back in October last year? Well, they lied! Honda/Acura has revealed the NSX concept at NAIAS 2012, and it bears more than passing resemblance with the concept car featured in Avenger. For today, it seems that Honda will make a return to supercar arena after retiring in 2005, when the current NSX ceased production.

Just like the retired NSX, the new NSX will be Honda technical tour de force once again. While its forebear rock the world with world's first all aluminium monocoque, titanium conrod among others, the 2015 supercar challenger will feature an advanced powertrain system, dubbed E-SH-AWD. This hybrid drivetrain will feature a highly-tuned V6 engine mounted mid-ship and will drive the rear wheel via dual clutch transmission. The gasoline engine will be accompanied by the twin-electric motor mounted in the front axle, powering each of the front tyres. While Honda is still yet to reveal the total power and torque, it is very likely to trail its European rival to its small-capacity engine, but the electric motor with maximum torque from standstill, combined with lightweight construction, should enable the quick off the line gateway.

Honda has insisted that they are emphasizing high performance through engineering efficiency. Even with the real need to ensure spirited driving experience, the supercar should responds positively to environmental responsibilities. This explained the utilization of hybrid drivetrain and lightweight construction. The chassis is highly like to feature a lot of aluminium and other exotic material, as well as CFRP.

The E-SH-AWD will bring what Takanobu Ito, Honda President and CEO reckoned will make the NSX the ultimate expression of Acura's idea to create synergy between man and machine. The new NSX will make the driver one with the car to enhance dynamic driving abilities without getting in the way. The electic motor mounted up front should improve handling too, as it will permit highly responsive electric torque vectoring.

The decision to ditch the V10 from the originally-conceived NSX concept will enable the new NSX to create its own market positioning within the stiffly fought supercar market. Being a me-too product in the European dominated product segment won't be a good idea, as Honda US R&D Chief, Gary Evert said Honda won't directly take the Europeans at their own game. The advanced hybrid system will make the new NSX such a niche in being a first "green supercar"  with the maximum synergy of technology to deliver supreme driving experience while at the same time being responsible to the environment. More after the jump.