next gen NSX - reading between the lines of NSXPO tech session

[JoeSchmoe]

Ah yes, this topic has been beat to death. Well, here's a new spin on it...

For those who attended the NSXPO tech session featuring Kent Shepley and his evasive QA about the next NSX, what was your interpretation of what he had to say?


Putting the pieces together, my interpretation is as follows:
There will be a new model with a V8 and aluminum construction.
(I'll explain my conclusion shortly.)



What do you think and why?

 

[ajnsx]

again, v6 maybe with fi, aluminium 50/50 chance. Every magazine in japan has reported on the v6 both dodgy and alumni.

 

[KGP]

I didn't make that session, so I can't comment. But, one of the most interesting things I heard all week came from the Honda rep at dinner Friday evening when he responded to the question "Do you visit our Internet forum (Prime)?" His reponse: "Almost daily." Was this the same guy at the tech session?

 

[JoeSchmoe]

Yes I realize the magazines are saying this. But, the magazine's conclusions have also been beaten to death. Even though we didnt get a direct answer, I think that NSXPO tech session gives us additional clues and a view of the Honda philosophy in a way that the magazines do not.

What Im interested in is seeing what other people gathered from that discussion.

 

[ANYTIME]

I didn't make that session, so I can't comment. But, one of the most interesting things I heard all week came from the Honda rep at dinner Friday evening when he responded to the question "Do you visit our Internet forum (Prime)?" His reponse: "Almost daily." Was this the same guy at the tech session?

I like the comment about him being fired if he said anything. Sounds like he has something to hide!

 

[KGP]

I like the comment about him being fired if he said anything. Sounds like he has something to hide!

Absolutely.
Sorry Joe, didn't mean to hijack the thread. I too would like to know what others infer from the session, as well as what you think. But, we don't want to get anyone fired. Remember, Honda is watching us.

 

[rowr]

What I got out of Kent's talk was Honda wanted to showcase their technology and ideas in the NSX..which they did well.

They also wanted to highlight their technology and ideas as far as extruded aluminum body structure and hybrid engines..which they did with the Insight..

From there, he lost me. I got the impression that extruded aluminum was something Honda still wanted to make a statement about, and they seemed pretty jazzed up about hybrid/alt fuel powerplants. But being the narrow minded grasshopper that I am, I can't see where that type of engine
in it's present day form and abilities, is able to make a statement in a high performance car.

 

[JoeSchmoe]

But, we don't want to get anyone fired. Remember, Honda is watching us.

To the folks at Honda who are watching us:
PLEASE give us a sign!



Back to the original issue -- since nothing confidential or proprietary was divulged, I doubt anybody has anything to worry about. If anything, Kent is probably reading this right now and having a good laugh at our expense. It could even have been intended as mis-information.


As rowr pointed out, Honda has invested a lot in aluminum extrusions and it sounds like something they would continue to use. As for the hybrid powerplant thing, I too am narrow minded and Im hoping that was the mis-information part

Another point of interest was the emphasis on making the S2000 engine compact to make it a front-mid-engined car. The switch to a timing chain, smaller gear driven heads, relocating the water pump and oil pump, etc all could be applied to the NSX. In the past, Honda's excuse was that size, weight, and balance of a V8. Well if size is solved, and weight usually scales with size, then that only leaves balance.

Finally, the fact that Uehara was in the US talking to owners. I doubt the creator of the NSX and S2000 would come here to chat, only to go back and build a new mini-van...



(OK, Im starting to sound like one of those UFO theorists. Its a coverup! Roswell! Roswell!)

 

[Ponyboy]

How did I miss this thread so far? Reading through this, my heart is all aflutter with visions of swappable NSX V8's.

So Joe, how did you come to the conclusion of a V8 and aluminium construction?

Anybody tape record this tech session?

<== feeling antsy!

 

[NetViper]

I don't really understand the V8 conclusion. You are basing it off of the fact that the S2000 has a compact 4? That engine has been around for 4 years now, and still no V8. Am i missing something?

 

[NSX-Racer]

Why no hybrid engine for the next X? An electric engine with about 30 kW in combination with a V 6 combustion engine of - let's say - 280 DIN-hp gives you a maximum power of about 320 hp and a lot of torque already from idle rpm (or 1 rpm for the electric engine).

In addition you could use the e-engine alone for the inner city, matching future emission laws.

Such hybrid together with a USG transmission with two clutches (from the same company that builds the NSX stock dual mass flywheel since 1996 - shifting without loss of acceleration, for further info look here ) could be a rocket that is faster than most V8, 400 hp cars.

And as I'm already dreaming: Why not electromagnetic brakes that can be used to charge the battery for the electric engine? That could produce energy instead of heat.

All that and some more could help Hondas image of a company one technological step ahead from the rest.

 

[NetViper]

Why no hybrid engine for the next X?

Because on a race track it would be WORTHLESS.

 

[Ponyboy]

Why no hybrid engine for the next X? An electric engine with about 30 kW in combination with a V 6 combustion engine of - let's say - 280 DIN-hp gives you a maximum power of about 320 hp and a lot of torque already from idle rpm (or 1 rpm for the electric engine).

In addition you could use the e-engine alone for the inner city, matching future emission laws.

Such hybrid together with a USG transmission with two clutches (from the same company that already builds the actual NSX stock clutch - shifting without loss of acceleration, for further info look here ) could be a rocket that is faster than most V8, 400 hp cars.

And as I'm already dreaming: Why not electromagnetic brakes that can be used to charge the battery for the electric engine? That could produce energy instead of heat.

All that and some more could help Hondas image of a company one technological step ahead from the rest.

Large heavy batteries = weight = bad.

Bad bad bad bad. Bad.

 

[NSX-Racer]

NetViper: Of course you're right but is the percentage of track only cars really so high (I have one of the few)?

Ponyboy: You can minimize the weight by using new technologies - maybe NMH or better combinations can sometimes deal with high Amperes. I'm not talking of lead batteries or even NiCad. In addition: I'm sure Honda would be capable of saving weight overall to compensate a battery weight of about 50 lbs. I guess with an intelligent power management (braking and decceleration loads battery) it doesn't have to weigh more.

edit: BTW: Was the Honda Dual Note concept car really for nothing?

 

[sjs]

NetViper: Of course you're right but is the percentage of track only cars really so high (I have one of the few)?

Ponyboy: You can minimize the weight by using new technologies - maybe NMH or better combinations can sometimes deal with high Amperes. I'm not talking of lead batteries or even NiCad. In addition: I'm sure Honda would be capable of saving weight overall to compensate a battery weight of about 50 lbs. I guess with an intelligent power management (braking and decceleration loads battery) it doesn't have to weigh more.

Rubbish! (no offense )

What I mean is, if they can shave weight off the car economically then they should do that, but not just to make up for the bloat of an additional drive mechanism. All else being equal, the hybrid will be heavier, period, and therefore of zero interest to me. Cars are total freaking pigs already due to emissions, safety and comfort. Not to mention the other valid point that current technology (pun intended) makes it of no use to a track car, or even a decent street toy. Mess with the kid hauler and leave the sports cars alone!