I know this subject has been beat to death, but after searching this site on the topic of the Next Gen NSX I couldn't help but notice and reply. I couldn't have been the only one that picked up the announcement by Honda before the Indy 500 that they intended to be an engine provider for the IRL in 2003 and have contracted with Illmor engineering to development the engine. At the risk of getting a reply from the "Forums Nazi" have we overlooked what direction Honda may be heading into. I've seen the posts with respect to a V8 and the new engine being based off the new RL power plant. That may be more true than we think. The IRL (Indy Racing League) rules state 3.5 liters V8-32v DOHC or 213 c/i. My thought is this:
1)Honda hasn't had much world wide racing attention for a few years. Excluding the BAR & Jordon Teams in F-1 which arn't doing anything & CART which appears to be coming more inline with the IRL. No F-1 world champs and no Indy 500 wins.
2)F-1 would be to tough for them to re-enter due to the established front runners that already exist and Toyota is already there.
3)Nissan almost pulled off a Indy win this year if Tomas Sheckter hadn't run the hell out of his car, and Toyota already has millons invested in F-1 and not sure, but didn't they win a 500.
4)More than 1/2 of all NSX are sold in the US.(New RL-2003 & new NSX 2004?)
5)Much of the world acknowledges that the Indy 500 could be one of the greatest single racing event in the world.
From what i've read in past forums, Honda may not be in tune with marketing in this country when it comes to the NSX, however they arn't stupid when it comes to dollars invested and return for the investment. The IRL is going to give them the best bang for the buck and the V8 based off the spec IRL engine has most likley been developed and/or been in planning stages as far back as early 2001 with engine development. Honda knew they were not going back to F-1 as a large supporting program and CART was gonna have to fall in line with the IRL if they wanted to play @ the 500. Its going to be interesting to watch when the new RL comes out for its lone overdue re-design and supposed bigger engine. If they deliver on a V8 in the RL, we may be seeing the basis for the next gen NSX engine as many of you have already stated. Just my .04 cents worth.
[This message has been edited by Tom Larkins (edited 11 June 2002).]
1)Honda hasn't had much world wide racing attention for a few years. Excluding the BAR & Jordon Teams in F-1 which arn't doing anything & CART which appears to be coming more inline with the IRL. No F-1 world champs and no Indy 500 wins.
2)F-1 would be to tough for them to re-enter due to the established front runners that already exist and Toyota is already there.
3)Nissan almost pulled off a Indy win this year if Tomas Sheckter hadn't run the hell out of his car, and Toyota already has millons invested in F-1 and not sure, but didn't they win a 500.
4)More than 1/2 of all NSX are sold in the US.(New RL-2003 & new NSX 2004?)
5)Much of the world acknowledges that the Indy 500 could be one of the greatest single racing event in the world.
From what i've read in past forums, Honda may not be in tune with marketing in this country when it comes to the NSX, however they arn't stupid when it comes to dollars invested and return for the investment. The IRL is going to give them the best bang for the buck and the V8 based off the spec IRL engine has most likley been developed and/or been in planning stages as far back as early 2001 with engine development. Honda knew they were not going back to F-1 as a large supporting program and CART was gonna have to fall in line with the IRL if they wanted to play @ the 500. Its going to be interesting to watch when the new RL comes out for its lone overdue re-design and supposed bigger engine. If they deliver on a V8 in the RL, we may be seeing the basis for the next gen NSX engine as many of you have already stated. Just my .04 cents worth.
[This message has been edited by Tom Larkins (edited 11 June 2002).]
