Okay, some additional updates for everyone.
A small group of us (about 8 people) had the opportunity to sit down with the Vice President of Operations for American Honda, and also one of the Senior PR gentlemen, for a closed door round table where they asked us for 100% honest feedback about the cars, the perception of the company as a whole, and anything else relating to Honda and Acura products. They were very clear that they wanted us to be honest. No sugar coating. They needed feedback from real people.
I took your words to the table and conveyed to them that a concern of current and past NSX owners right now is that with 3 years until production time, many people are concerned that the car they see at the show will be nothing like production. I also asked them how likely it was for the car to change dimensions due to it being a non-running design study more than it was a real car, and was told with great certainty that they could absolutely make the car a fully operational vehicle without changing the dimensions of the car at all. We were also informed that they do not want to make any significant changes to the car's appearance, and that the only thing they could not control would be any government safety standards that would be mandated between now and then that may or may not impact the vehicle's design. To paraphrase their statement, they could absolutely make the car we saw on stage, and make it perform at the highest levels of exotic car performance.
Additionally, I conveyed to them the concern about the performance of the car. That current NSX owners, and past ones looking at this as a possible return to NSX ownership, are looking for a certain type of vehicle feel and performance level. Also, I inquired about their benchmark setting for this car since it is a full 3 years out. My point with them was that if they are using cars like the Ferrari 458 Italia, Audi R8, and Nissan GT-R, as comparable models, all of those will be due for a replacement at the time of the new NSXs introduction, and that the last thing NSX owners want is a repeat of last time. Where the NSX was current for about 2 - 3 years, and then was outdated when Ferrari came out with the F355, and Porsche unveiled a new 911, and so on.
As a final note, I mentioned that many NSX owners are a bit hesitant to get excited since we were all burned when we thought the HSC was coming out, and never did. Also, without pricing being in the cards yet, they needed to remember their target market and not price themselves out of the game with what could be an extraordinary car.
It is my honest opinion that Honda / Acura wants to do this right. The feedback I got from the VP of Operations, all of the senior PR people, the head designers, and also Jeff Conrad (VP of Sales for Honda North America), was that Honda was aware that they slipped up previously and that a veritable reinvention of the brand was in order. They seem to be taking the steps needed to really get back to their roots and make fun to drive luxury vehicles, and that the new NSX is their halo car again to show that they can build amazing performance cars when they want to. The slogan 'Acura DNA' was heard a lot. Expect to hear it more as they work on getting back to their roots.
I know some of you are still going to be all 'bah-humbug'. But having actually been there. Having seen the genuine pride on the faces of the entire American Honda team. Having heard first hand the excitement with which they spoke of the NSX and the new direction of the company. I simply say give them the benefit of the doubt. I really think we will be seeing great things in the near future, and they want to make the NSX the biggest example of this new corporate vision and direction.
