NSX History & Chronology
Date: July 11, 2005 21:52
Submitted by: Jeff
Source: Acura Press Release
Credibility Rating: N/A
February 1989 - Acura unveils a new high-performance, mid-engine sportscar. The NS-X world debut takes place at the Chicago Auto Show on February 9th. "New Sportscar eXperimental" is the first supercar from Japan.
June 1989 - A select group of American automotive journalists are invited to Japan to test drive two prototypes of the exotic NSX, more than a year before its scheduled on-sale date. The exclusive trip is so far in advance that engine specifications are still tentative.
August 1990 - NSX goes on sale as a 1991 model, the first production car with an all-aluminum chassis and body. The aluminum unit body weighs only 462 pounds, 40% less than steel, with the equivalent strength.
The car is powered by 3.0-liter, DOHC, 24-valve, V-6 engine mated to a 5-speed manual transmission, good for 270 hp, 210 lb-ft of torque and a 0-60 mph time of under six seconds. Acura's breakthrough VTEC(TM) (Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control) system also makes its U.S. debut in the NSX, solving the trade-off between low-end torque and high-RPM power.
The vehicle also comes with PGM-FI, a system pioneered in Formula One racing, as well as a direct ignition system. NSX is also the first production car to use titanium connecting rods- this lightweight but strong material is also used in the F-15 supersonic fighter jet.
Each car is hand-assembled by a special team of technicians at a dedicated factory in Tochigi. Production of the NSX is a maximum of 25 vehicles per day. At $65,000, the NSX is the most expensive Japanese car in history.
Summer 1990 - NSX graces the cover of every major automotive "buff book" in the country.
November 1990 - In its first year, NSX garners an impressive list of accolades, including:
"Top Ten Performance Cars", Motor Trend
"Ten Best Cars in the World", Road & Track
"Automobile of the Year" and "Design of the Year", Automobile
"Best of What's New", Popular Science
"Design and Engineering Award", Popular Mechanics
1991 - Motor Trend names NSX "the best sports car ever built."
1991 - The Comptech Racing Acura-Spice GTP Lights race car, powered by a modified Acura NSX engine, carries driver Parker Johnstone to the Manufacturer's and Driver's Championships in the prestigious International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) GTP Lights series.
1991 - NSX posts first year unit sales of 1,940.
1992 - Parker Johnstone and the Comptech Racing Acura-Spice GTP Lights racecar win second IMSA championship in a row.
1993 - A third consecutive championship win in the Acura-Spice GTP Lights race car makes Parker Johnstone the most winning driver in IMSA history.
1995 - The NSX-T features a removable roof panel, and is the first Acura to offer an optional Formula One-inspired Sequential SportShift(TM) automatic transmission.
1997 - NSX/NSX-T takes a giant step forward in performance with several major enhancements, most notably a larger, more powerful 3.2-liter DOHC, 24-valve V-6 engine mated to a 6-speed manual transmission, producing 290 horsepower and 224 lb-ft of torque.
1997 - Peter Cunningham wins the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) World Challenge Championship in a modified NSX.
November 1998 - Acura unveils the 1999 Alex Zanardi Edition NSX at the Miami International Auto Show. Available only as a hard-top coupe, the signature series car takes its name from the two-time CART open-wheel racing championship driver. Only 49 copies of this limited edition model are available, featuring a revised suspension and exclusive interior and exterior styling cues. The Zanardi edition is also 149 pounds lighter and comes exclusively in Formula Red.
2000 - NSX receives a Low Emissions Vehicle (LEV) certification from the Air Resources Board, a testament to Acura's innovation and industry-leading technology.
2002 - NSX receives an exterior refresh with new front and rear fascias including HID Xenon fixed-mount headlights and revised taillights. In addition, the NSX also receives a revised suspension and larger wheels and tires.
2004 - NSX receives a trunk-mounted CD changer and a keyless entry system.
December 2004 - Cumulative NSX sales in the US total 8,733 since introduction.
July 2005 - Acura announces that a replacement vehicle is under development and that the current generation NSX will halt production at the end of the year.
But the good news is if you already own one hang on to it....Congratulations you own a true collector car!!!
Date: July 11, 2005 21:52
Submitted by: Jeff
Source: Acura Press Release
Credibility Rating: N/A
February 1989 - Acura unveils a new high-performance, mid-engine sportscar. The NS-X world debut takes place at the Chicago Auto Show on February 9th. "New Sportscar eXperimental" is the first supercar from Japan.
June 1989 - A select group of American automotive journalists are invited to Japan to test drive two prototypes of the exotic NSX, more than a year before its scheduled on-sale date. The exclusive trip is so far in advance that engine specifications are still tentative.
August 1990 - NSX goes on sale as a 1991 model, the first production car with an all-aluminum chassis and body. The aluminum unit body weighs only 462 pounds, 40% less than steel, with the equivalent strength.
The car is powered by 3.0-liter, DOHC, 24-valve, V-6 engine mated to a 5-speed manual transmission, good for 270 hp, 210 lb-ft of torque and a 0-60 mph time of under six seconds. Acura's breakthrough VTEC(TM) (Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control) system also makes its U.S. debut in the NSX, solving the trade-off between low-end torque and high-RPM power.
The vehicle also comes with PGM-FI, a system pioneered in Formula One racing, as well as a direct ignition system. NSX is also the first production car to use titanium connecting rods- this lightweight but strong material is also used in the F-15 supersonic fighter jet.
Each car is hand-assembled by a special team of technicians at a dedicated factory in Tochigi. Production of the NSX is a maximum of 25 vehicles per day. At $65,000, the NSX is the most expensive Japanese car in history.
Summer 1990 - NSX graces the cover of every major automotive "buff book" in the country.
November 1990 - In its first year, NSX garners an impressive list of accolades, including:
"Top Ten Performance Cars", Motor Trend
"Ten Best Cars in the World", Road & Track
"Automobile of the Year" and "Design of the Year", Automobile
"Best of What's New", Popular Science
"Design and Engineering Award", Popular Mechanics
1991 - Motor Trend names NSX "the best sports car ever built."
1991 - The Comptech Racing Acura-Spice GTP Lights race car, powered by a modified Acura NSX engine, carries driver Parker Johnstone to the Manufacturer's and Driver's Championships in the prestigious International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) GTP Lights series.
1991 - NSX posts first year unit sales of 1,940.
1992 - Parker Johnstone and the Comptech Racing Acura-Spice GTP Lights racecar win second IMSA championship in a row.
1993 - A third consecutive championship win in the Acura-Spice GTP Lights race car makes Parker Johnstone the most winning driver in IMSA history.
1995 - The NSX-T features a removable roof panel, and is the first Acura to offer an optional Formula One-inspired Sequential SportShift(TM) automatic transmission.
1997 - NSX/NSX-T takes a giant step forward in performance with several major enhancements, most notably a larger, more powerful 3.2-liter DOHC, 24-valve V-6 engine mated to a 6-speed manual transmission, producing 290 horsepower and 224 lb-ft of torque.
1997 - Peter Cunningham wins the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) World Challenge Championship in a modified NSX.
November 1998 - Acura unveils the 1999 Alex Zanardi Edition NSX at the Miami International Auto Show. Available only as a hard-top coupe, the signature series car takes its name from the two-time CART open-wheel racing championship driver. Only 49 copies of this limited edition model are available, featuring a revised suspension and exclusive interior and exterior styling cues. The Zanardi edition is also 149 pounds lighter and comes exclusively in Formula Red.
2000 - NSX receives a Low Emissions Vehicle (LEV) certification from the Air Resources Board, a testament to Acura's innovation and industry-leading technology.
2002 - NSX receives an exterior refresh with new front and rear fascias including HID Xenon fixed-mount headlights and revised taillights. In addition, the NSX also receives a revised suspension and larger wheels and tires.
2004 - NSX receives a trunk-mounted CD changer and a keyless entry system.
December 2004 - Cumulative NSX sales in the US total 8,733 since introduction.
July 2005 - Acura announces that a replacement vehicle is under development and that the current generation NSX will halt production at the end of the year.
But the good news is if you already own one hang on to it....Congratulations you own a true collector car!!!
