The intention in creating the Acura NSX,
first introduced for the 1991 model year, was to produce a hand-built,
exotic, mid-engine sports car that would establish entirely new levels
of prestige, performance, refinement, drivability and reliability. The
aluminum-bodied NSX is designed to represent an entirely new definition
of the exotic sports car through state-of-the-art, lightweight
technology.
The mid-engine, two-seater NSX offers two
distinct powerplants. The standard engine is an all-aluminum 3.2-liter
V-6 that produces 290 hp and 224 lb-ft of torque mated to a 6-speed
manual transmission. An electronically controlled 4-speed automatic
transmission with Formula One-inspired SportShift mode is optional and
comes with an all-aluminum, 3.0-liter V-6 that produces 252 hp and 210
lb-ft of torque.
Both engines are normally aspirated and
are equipped with dual overhead cams, four- valves-per-cylinder, a
Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control (VTECœ) system, and a
Variable Volume Induction System intake configuration. They also offer
Programmed Fuel Injection (PGM-FI) and a direct-ignition system that
uses six individual coils, one mounted atop each spark plug, instead of
a single coil for all six cylinders.
The chassis features all-aluminum
construction for light weight. The four-wheel independent
double-wishbone suspension also features aluminum-alloy control arms and
hub carriers front and rear to minimize unsprung weight for optimum
handling. Aluminum subframes for the front and rear suspension further
limit suspension mass. The braking system features large-diameter,
ventilated four-wheel discs and an advanced four-channel Anti-Lock
Braking System (ABS). The sophisticated Traction Control System (TCS)
has been designed to help limit wheel-spin and enhance control.
