It’s been almost a decade since Acura stopped producing its legendary NSX sports car. Now, after years of rumors, concepts, and prototypes the supercar has been reborn as a production-ready hybrid – and it’s set to hit the streets by the end of the year. Acura just unveiled its road-ready 2016 NSX at the Detroit Auto Show – and it features a 3.5-liter V6 hybrid powertrain, an advanced all-wheel drive system, and a price tag estimated to be a whopping $150,000.
NSX stands for New Sports Experimental, and Acura’s upcoming hybrid supercar draws upon the vehicle’s heritage of supercar performance, new technologies, and new materials. The vehicle features an ultralight, chassis made from carbon fiber, aluminum, and ultra high strength steel. The vehicle features an all-new longitudinally mounted twin turbocharged v6 engine paired with a 3 motor hybrid system for over 550 horsepower. A single direct drive electric motor powers the rear wheels, and twin motors power the front wheels.
The vehicle’s low center of gravity gives it excellent fundamental vehicle dynamics, and sculptural air intakes and curves provide cooling. The “human-centered supercar” is designed to respond to any driver’s need, and it offers 4 separate modes – a silent EV mode, sport and sport+, and a high-performance track mode. Acura’s 2016 NSX will be the first hybrid electric supercar designed and produced in the USA.
Related: Chevrolet unveils $30k Bolt electric car with a 200-mile range!
By the summer, buyers will be able to build their dream NSX online where they can configure, customize and build their own unique vehicle. Orders can then be sent to the dealer for production. The first cars should be ready for delivery later this year in the fall and all manufacturing will take place exclusively in Ohio. When asked why they chose to make the car in the US, a representative responded, “because we can.”
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Photos by Mike Chino for Inhabitat
