fastaussie
Suspended
I was looking at the Car and Driver numbers for these cars as a source of relative comparison. The gaps between the R8V10+ and NSX aren't as big as you are quoting. Also, FWIW, the NSX is faster than the 458 in every dimension and yet no one would pick the NSX over it simply for being a bit faster in every way. Same logic when comparing the R8 and NSX.
If a NSX Type R (or whatever) comes out in two years and it is as much faster than the R8V10+ (which will still be the top of the line R8 at that time) as the top R8 is faster than the "base" NSX, will you immediately say the NSX is the better car?
the gaps i quoted are from highly reputable magazine tests (Road & Track, Motor Trend, etc.). i have several print copies at home myself, some have been photographed and posted on these forums, and we have all seen the YouTube reviews from said publications. the performance gaps are exactly that big. we've all seen the tests, numbers do not lie, sorry but there's no rationalising that.
the 458 is 8 years old. one would hope the brand new, just released NSX would be faster in every regard. however it is not always. stock 458's have gone 3 seconds flat 0-to-60, and quicker than the NSX in the 1/4 mile. they also have a higher top speed. the Speciale is faster yet in every way than the base car. so your assessment would be wrong.
i would agree with you that very few people would pick the new NSX over a 458. the Ferrari has so much more of all the right stuff in all the right ways.
however, if Honda builds a Type R and it is a better car than the others, i would immediately say it's the better car, absolutely...