Acura ‘Advanced Sports Car Concept’ debuts at Detroit

The Acura ‘Advanced Sports Car Concept’ has made its world debut at the 2007 North American International Auto Show. The concept provides a preview of the design direction for the successor to the Acura NSX.

Created to take exotic sports car styling to a new level, the concept incorporates a powerful front-mounted, V10 engine and a new high-performance, rear-wheel-drive based version of Acura’s exclusive Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD).

“The Acura brand will always be a home for people who love to drive,” said Takeo Fukui, president & CEO of Honda Motor Co., Ltd. “As we advance toward building a car like this, I can tell you it will feature advanced technology matching our passion for performance.”

The exterior of the concept demonstrates a fusion of advanced technology and emotion. The long, pronounced hood features deeply sculpted lines and embossed air vents, both of which hint at the powerful engine beneath. The exterior lines run the length of the body, creating a ribbon-like effect from the front headlights to the rear wheel arches, evoking a feeling of movement and power.

Although modern in its appearance, the Advanced Sports Car Concept retains the subtle cues associated with its predecessor, the NSX. The concept’s slim, LED headlights are pushed wide and designed to mimic the pop-up headlights found on the first generation NSX. Other styling hints include a modern take on wraparound rear taillights and the all black cockpit.

“Our intention was to design an exotic sports car that gracefully combines advanced technology and strong emotion,” said Jon Ikeda, principal designer, Acura Design Centre. “The technical, machined surfaces and keen-edge design are balanced with sweeping curves and dramatic lines, all of which results in the ultimate exotic sports car.”

Wide, and low to the ground with a 2764mm wheelbase, the concept is anchored by grippy 19-inch front and 20-inch rear performance tyres which are mounted to custom billet-machined, polished aluminum wheels. Powerful, ventilated carbon ceramic brake discs and eight-piston callipers accent the wheels. Bold wheel arches and flares add to the concept’s aggressive appearance.

The low-slung cabin is constructed entirely of tinted glass and sits flush against the body. Door handles are also flush mounted, allowing the sports car to retain a clean and aerodynamic appearance. The Advanced Sports Car Concept features a carbon fibre underbody and the rear is finished with aggressive quad exhaust pipes and integrated rear diffusers, further communicating its high performance potential.

The Advanced Sports Car Concept was designed by the Acura’s Los Angeles-based design team that will be based at the new Acura Design Centre, opening this summer.

No decision has yet been made about production of the Advanced Sports Car Concept.

Advanced Sports Car Concept dimensions:

Width: 1981mm
Length: 4610mm
Height: 1219mm
Wheelbase: 2764mm
Tyres:
Front: 255/40R19
Rear: 295/35R20