Honda DN-X next gen NSX?

[DanO]

Has there been any discussion recently about Honda’s new DN-X concept car? I believe it will be introduced at the New York Auto Show in a few days. If anyone remembers Kent Shepley’s talk at NSXPO ’00 he focused on the Honda S2000 chassis and the Honda Insight hybrid drivetrain technology and sort of indicated that this is the direction Honda may be going in terms of the next generation NSX. That is, the next gen NSX might be a hybrid design. I have driven the Honda Insight and the technology works pretty darn well. Anyone else think that this DN-X sounds like a next gen supercar?

DanO

News Release http://hondanews.com/Forms/acura/*ws4d-db-query-Show.ws4d?*ws4d-db-query-Show***002258***-wieck_media***-***acura(directory)***.ws4d?acura/results(r)_text.html

Text of release
Acura DN-X Concept To Make North American Debut at New York International Auto Show.

Torrance, CA 03/18/2002 -- Infused with the latest technology and combining the style, handling and exhilarating driving experience of a high-performance sports car with the comfort and convenience of a luxury sedan, the Acura DN-X concept sports sedan will be introduced at the New York International Auto Show, the company announced today.
The mid-engine, all-wheel-drive DN-X concept is equipped with a unique 400 horsepower hybrid powertrain that combines a high-output, 3.5-liter, DOHC, i-VTEC V-6 engine powering the rear wheels and a supplemental Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) system that provides additional power to all four wheels via electric motors to produce outstanding performance as well as unprecedented fuel economy.
Designed as a true sports car, the DN-X has been given a lightweight, highly rigid, state-of-the-art chassis tuned to provide the ultimate in handling and maximum aerodynamic efficiency. A wind tunnel-designed monocoque body, highly effective front spoiler, independent front and rear double wishbone suspension, large ventilated disc brakes and alloy wheels are just a few of the features enhancing the DN-X's sporty personality.
The DN-X concept also incorporates advanced technology such as night vision cameras, voice guidance, adaptive cruise control, Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) and the Active Torque Transfer System (ATTS) for increased traction control, and other features to enhance the driving experience.
Additional details on the Acura DN-X concept sports sedan will be available Thursday, March 28 at the New York International Auto Show. For more information about Acura's line of luxury performance automobiles, please visit www.acura.com. For media inquiries, please go to www.acuranews.com.

 

[Lud]

This "DN-X" sounds like the "Dualnote" concept Honda displayed at the Tokyo 2001 show...??
http://www.autointell.com/asian_companies/honda_motor/honda-dualnote/honda-dualnote-02.htm

The car sounds pretty cool but seems a bit big and heavy for a true sports car.

 

[Zuerst]

Originally posted by Lud:
This "DN-X" sounds like the "Dualnote" concept Honda displayed at the Tokyo 2001 show...??
http://www.autointell.com/asian_companies/honda_motor/honda-dualnote/honda-dualnote- 02.htm

The car sounds pretty cool but seems a bit big and heavy for a true sports car.

And ugly... compare to the NSX at least...

 

[ChopsJazz]

Please, please tell me that is not the look of the future NSX.

 

[flaminio]

I dunno guys -- I think the Dualnote looks pretty cool. I wouldn't mind having it as my daily driver.

But it's not the next-gen NSX (I hope).

-Bob

 

[sjs]

The Dualnote seems to be billed as a car for idiots. "sports-minded driving" for people without a clue.

 

[nsxman]

The DNX appears to offer as significant a technological leap forward as the 91 NSX did upon its introduction. The cockpit design of the DNX alone, compels me to see the vehicle.

If this vehicle gets good press, I suspect that this is the new "NSX".

 

[viviana]

I saw the dual note in geneve expo its simply amazing i will post a video soon but honda told me that will be for future

 

[DanO]

Whether or not these cars represent the next gen NSX is debatable. However, the hybrid technology of these cars indicate (to me at least) that the next gen NSX will be some kind of hybrid design. Get ready for the Basch Battery Booster <g>.

DanO

 

[Juice]

It has been explained to me that the Dual Note is definately not the next NSX. However there was a lot of "hinting" that the general mechanical layout for the Dual Note would be carried over into the upcoming NSX. The question is what type of power plant will the hybrid tech. work in conjunction with and what materials will be used to build the car. I think Honda may be looking at building a hybrid car that may actually include low-level torque.

 

[I'm NSXed]

It's fun to think of what the next NSX will look like and what new items it will have. I think the whole hybrid technology is very interesting. However, just a few manufacturers have got it working good enough to market it. It would be a hugh step to put it into a high performance sports car. I would think that they would put it into a bigger sedan first, or even a SUV.

Unless Honda is going to change the customer base of the NSX and go with something totally different.

They can't be too thrilled about how many NSX's are sold anually.

 

[jon69]

I think I may have mentioned this on a past post a long time ago (before the dual note was introduced) but from everything I have heard from friends in Japan the new NSX and nissan GTR have shared in some technical development of hybrid technology. The cars will still be very different but essentially these cars should come out with V6 and electric motor powertrain. 400hp would be a minimum. Price on the NSX, well I've heard everything from going into the true supercar territory to dropping considerably to 50ish usd. I'd say they won't make the same mistake in sales again and price will be cheap.
As for hybrid powertrain, well it's going to be big in the future, I think the new durango will be a hybrid. What's not to like about it, much better fuel economy, AWD and tremendous low end grunt to rocket from a standstill and being biased to RWD is should still handle great on the track plus have more traction. I read that Chrysler was talking about a hybrid viper and if they made one they said it would easily drop 1 if not 2 seconds from 0-60!!!!!!! It does it already low 4's high 3's, your talking about
2's...absolutely crazy! Embrace technology, it only makes cars better..remember when performance minded people thought fuel injection was a sin!

 

[woodwork]

Dano;

If I am to be quoted regarding my remarks at NSXpo please remember that I repeatedly stated that it was my speculation. I have had no preview of what is to come.

I'm looking forward to it though. The future is here.....

Woodwork

 

[Jimbo]

The DN-X (DualNote) has 4 seats.

Honda refers to it as a sports sedan.

It's not the next-gen NSX.

-Jim

------------------
1992 NSX Red/Blk 5 spd #0330
1991 NSX Blk/Blk Auto #3070 (Sold)
1974 Vette 454 4 spd Wht/Blk
Looking for 76-79 Honda Accords

 

[Zuerst]

Popular Science April featured an article about the Dualnote concept... Apparently if the future NSX adopt a hybrid engin like the Dualnote, it would benefit from better low-end accelaration since the article says that electric motors are strong for low end accelaration, but weak at higher speeds and I guess the VTEC kicking in would compensate for that, thus making a nice overall accelaration...

 

[skim83]

I'd say that if Honda wants to rock the automotive world like it did with the introduction of the NSX then hybrid tech is the way to go. If it was refined and made plausible as a production car it would be simply amazing. Competitors would have to scramble to catch up; a repeat of years past. I'd personally LOVE to see what the next gen NSX turns out to be if it incorporates hybrid tech.

 

[MAJOR STONER]

"highly effective integrated front spoiler help to improve handling by lowering the coefficient of drag to a mere 0.23, nearly 25 percent less than the exotic Acura NSX sports car"


More:

New York 03/28/2002 -- Acura debuted its newest concept vehicle today, the DN-X sports sedan, at the New York International Auto Show. Infused with the latest technology, the DN-X puts an exclamation point on the term sports sedan by combining the style, handling and exhilarating performance of a high-powered sports car with the roominess and functionality of a luxury sedan.
"Don't let the four doors fool you, the DN-X concept is all sports car," said Tom Elliott, executive vice president of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "Looking into the future, our designers created the perfect solution for those that want a sports car but also need to carry passengers."

The company's racing heritage and legendary engine technology is evident in the DN-X. The mid-engine, all-wheel-drive DN-X concept is equipped with a unique 400 horsepower hybrid powertrain that combines a high-output, 3.5-liter, DOHC, i-VTEC V-6 engine powering the rear wheels and an advanced electric Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) system that provides additional power to all four wheels. Not only does this system provide outstanding performance, but also achieves an environmentally conscious 42 miles to the gallon.

During acceleration, the IMA system contributes supplemental torque, resulting in both lower fuel consumption and powerful acceleration. The IMA's ultracapacitor is recharged by regenerative braking that takes energy from forward momentum and captures it during braking. This system makes an external electric power supply unnecessary.

Mated to this high output powerplant is a unique 6-speed transmission allowing the driver to chose either manual or automatic mode at his or her discretion. When placed in manual mode, the DN-X operates as a clutchless, 6-speed manual transmission similar to those found in Formula One race cars. Shifting gears is accomplished using controls located on the steering wheel. Or, if desired, the DN-X can be driven as an automatic by selecting "D" on the center console.

Also unique to the DN-X are new drive-by-wire systems that control throttle, brake and steering operations and eliminate the need for a mechanical connection between the cockpit and these components. Steer-by-wire utilizes two actuators in the car's front corners that receive input from the control module and turn the front wheels accordingly. Likewise, the electro-mechanical (EMB) brake-by-wire system, replaces the hydraulic system with electronic controls and actuators.

To further enhance its performance, the DN-X is equipped with a Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) system similar to other Acura models, as well as the Active Torque Transfer System (ATTS). Synchronized to work together, VSA and ATTS help to suppress wheel slip and provide smoother, more stable cornering.

Designed as a true sports car, the DN-X has been given a highly rigid, lightweight state-of-the-art chassis tuned to provide the ultimate in handling and maximum aerodynamic efficiency. A wind tunnel-designed monocoque body and highly effective integrated front spoiler help to improve handling by lowering the coefficient of drag to a mere 0.23, nearly 25 percent less than the exotic Acura NSX sports car. Fully independent front and rear double wishbone suspension, large ventilated disc brakes, 18-inch alloy wheels in front and 19-inch alloy wheels in the rear compliment the DN-X's sporty personality.

The DN-X is equipped with a host of technological innovations. Among them is the Intelligent Driver Support system (IDS) which is comprised of Lane Keeping Assistance and Adaptive Cruise Control.

Lane Keeping Assistance uses CCD cameras to recognize when the DN-X is veering out of its lane. On a highway, these cameras detect the lane markings and, if the car veers out of its lane, an audible and visual warning occurs and the steering automatically re-centers the car in its lane.

The Adaptive Cruise Control system uses sensors to keep the DN-X a safe distance from the car in front of it by controlling the accelerator and brake as needed. Laser radar tracks the speed and distance of the vehicle in front and maintains the DN-X's speed accordingly.

Another component of the DN-X's high-tech wizardry is the Night Vision System. Night Vision uses infrared cameras to enhance visibility and safety at night. When an object is detected, the system provides an audible warning and shows a highlighted infrared image on the center display.

Active Headlights further aid visibility by adjusting the angle of its beams to match the speed and direction in which the vehicle is traveling. During straight-line driving, the headlights perform like conventional systems by illuminating the road directly in front of the vehicle. When entering a curve, the upper portion of the headlights respond to steering direction and mapping information provided by the GPS navigation system to illuminate the entire road surface throughout the corner, thus minimizing blind spots.

The DN-X concept's technical advances extend to the passenger cabin as well. The instrument panel of the DN-X, featuring interactive voice-recognition, is divided into three, easy-to-read units. A pop-up display in the center console provides access to e-mail, Internet and cellular telephone service. The LCD screen also shows navigation information from the Acura Satellite-Linked Navigation System.

Housed in the center display, located just below the windshield to minimize driver distraction, is a navigation section that indicates upcoming turns as well as the presence of objects in the roadway detected by the vehicle's Night Vision System.

The third unit is comprised of a three-dimensional meter located in the dashboard that displays the speedometer, tachometer and odometer. In addition, alerts from the IDS system, notification of incoming phone calls and e-mails, as well as other basic driving status information are also displayed on this meter.

"The DN-X concept illustrates our vision that driving enthusiasts don't have to compromise the performance and styling they want for the functionality they may need," said Elliott. "This super sedan really combines the best of both worlds."

 

[POWERED by HONDA]

Wow. That's a lot of high-tech gadgetry.

Steer-by-wire would be scary if the electronics fail. I thought steering systems in the US are required to have a mechanical connection? (The Steering column is a must?)


[This message has been edited by POWERED by HONDA (edited 31 March 2002).]

 

[skim83]

If the DN-X is the next gen NSX I hope they offer a stripped down version. I don't know if I want the 4 doors and seats, the "unique" 6-speed, Lane Keeping Assistance, and the Adaptive Cruise Control. Hearing those audible and seeing the visual warnings go off would be annoying.