NSX-R in UK

[Procar Specials]

Dear members,
found that Honda UK official launch about NSX-R:

The Honda NSX-R will be appearing at the forthcoming Motorshow in Birmingham from 27 May to 6 June 2004
And with good reason too. Despite the NSX being a low volume model in the UK, pressure has mounted to see the Honda NSX-R get an official UK release which is anticipated to be announced at the event.

Following a facelift in 2002 the NSX-R is more focussed than before with weight reduction and circuit-tuned suspension. From the micro-mesh gear stick gaiter to the carbon fibre hood with outlet duct weight savings have been made. Aero part changes include a finned front under-cover, rear diffuser, carbon fibre rear spoiler, providing and increase in the car's driving performance and high speed stability.

Acceleration and response are improved through high-precision balancing of the crankshaft, a shorter final gear ratio, DBW (Drive By Wire) electronic throttle control, and other specialised tuning.

Suspension has been further tuned to cope with the added downforce, and custom-designed high-grip tyres, precision custom chassis tuning, and ventilated brake discs with harder brake pads for potent stopping power have been added.

The NSX-R interior features a custom ball-shaped titanium shift knob and lightweight mesh shift boot, leather-wrapped Momo steering wheel, Recaro carbon fibre Aramid full-bucket seats with leather upholstery and a shift indicator.

As any R designated Honda the NSX-R will be made available in Championship White only.

Honda anticipate selling 10 NSX-Rs in the UK per year but if the recent success of high performance Hondas is anything to go by this could rise.

The NSX-R claimed EVO Magazines Car of the Year in Jan 2003. When pitched against the previous year winner - the Pagani Zonda C12S they had this to say "On paper it's an unequal contest, but on the road they're closer than you'd think."

 

[j14nsx]

Err, we just had our annual UK meeting (see other thread). We invited the program manager for the NSX from Honda UK. He said it was unlikely the NSX R is coming.

Work involved in selling the R in the UK include;
Making a new speedo in mph that reads to 200mph and in yellow.
'E' marking parts like lights etc.
The tyres are not legal for the road. They can sell a new car with the tyres on, but can't buy the tyres separately afterwards (stupid EU rules).
The steering wheel will be changed for airbag wheel
The service manual has to be translated to English
Parts for the car will have to be stored in the warehouse in Holland
Service people need to be trained

Did you also know that to change the clutch in the R, the crankshaft has to be removed? Because it is balanced as one unit, to keep the Type R balance the crank/clutch has to be rebalanced.

A lot of things that make the Type R what it is, will be lost, if the car is in the UK.

It is true that the Type R is on display at the MotorShow, so is the HSC. They are on display just because they are in the UK and being shown off, that's all.

They would have to sell 10 to make it worthwhile. However this would probably come from losing 5 normal NSX sales, and 5 more Type R sales. It does not make sense to do this.

Has this article come from a magazine? I guess so, becuase it has mistakes in it. They say all Type R's are White, but we have black and red Integra type R, and any colour Civic Type R. The part about the steering wheel is wrong too.

On another topic...

Did you know the Targa does not meet Euro crash tests, and is being stopped for sale?

 

[Procar Specials]

These are interesting news, but bad news.

I dont have heard that clutch change story before.
Seems to be a very special thing and very very expensive.
I wonder who can do this service ?
Surely not a 'standard' Honda dealer.

And if the NSX-R dont will have the RE070 as standard tires, the car will loose a lot of his performance, or ?
I heard about 12 seconds lap time difference at the Ring without these tires.

 

[j14nsx]

The clutch can of course be changed as normal. However to keep it to Type R spec, the rebalance would be required.

And yes a major part of the R's performace is due to the tyres.

 

[DutchBlackNsx]

Did you also know that to change the clutch in the R, the crankshaft has to be removed? Because it is balanced as one unit, to keep the Type R balance the crank/clutch has to be rebalanced.

Say wot !!??!!
Keeping that up and runnin in spec, will be an absolute nightmare.

They say all Type R's are White, but we have black and red Integra type R, and any colour Civic Type R.

Yeah, even worse, i couldn't get my new CTR in white!

Did you know the Targa does not meet Euro crash tests, and is being stopped for sale?

 

[CRX B16B VTEC]

I saw about 5 Civic Type Rs here in the UK in championship white unregistered. They were in Southampton port waiting to be shipped to Japan!

 

[Procar Specials]

I started a request and will keep you informed about that.

 

[kye]

NSX-R colours

NSX-R can be ordered here in Japan in White, yellow, red and black so if it were to come to the UK there is no reason why it couldnt be sold in a number of different colours.

 

[Procar Specials]

crankshaft balancing after clutch change

I emailed this message to the german sport auto NSX-R team, because it seems to be important to me.
Immediately after, GS Motorsport started an inquiry to the Honda R&D Germany department and than to HONDA JAPAN.
The HONDA back-statement was, that the crankshaft dont !! has to be removed after clutch changing.
HONDA would never produce a car, where the customers would have such a big effort. The clutch can be changed with the usual procedure. Not more.
Maybe the Honda UK manager have to request better in the furture before he tells such stories to our UK NSX buddies.