The Honda NSX is an aging performance platform. It has aged gracefully, and remains cutting edge to this day through countless updates by Honda engineers. In the coming years, however, Honda will be phasing out the old Ferrari killer, and putting a new machine on the streets to strike fear into the hearts of those owning exotics. Meanwhile, Honda is fighting a crowd of other Japanese performance machines like the 350Z, Skyline V35, and the Renesis powered RX-8. All are locked in a death battle with the S2000, and despite perfect balance and unmatched handling, the frenetic little 4 cylinder engine cannot keep pace with the others in the hard fought horsepower war.
The high output motor in the roadster is art, but even Honda realizes its limitations. Honda realized there needed to be some change in the in their machine. More power, at the cost of more weight. But Honda can never sacrifice the characteristics of a purebred race machine; the balance, the predictability at the edge, and the unupsettable poise that are the mark of only the finest racing machines.
Honda developed an all new V-6 using all the knew from the continuing education the NSX provided and the innovation that made the original S2000 such a remarkable automobile. A 3.2 liter naturally aspirated V-6 pumping out a good 320hp rests under the long hood, behind the front wheels and driving the rear. The power isn’t made effortlessly, though, the engine red lines at an insane 8900RPM, and generating peak power at 8400, making it every bit as at home on the track as the original machine.
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Of course, you are wondering, what about the handling? As every dyed in the wool Honda enthusiast knows, where they often lack in the power department they make up for in control. This car follows in the true Honda spirit. To make up for the extra weight up front, Honda decided to do away with the convertible top and add a fastback. This brings more weight further back in the car, and keeps the perfect 50:50 weight distribution. And don’t think all this extra steel makes this machine a porker either, because it isn’t steel. Many construction techniques have been borrowed from the NSX, and many components are made of aluminum to keep weight down. Again, drawing on their immense experience in the area, Honda engineers have improved further on the already lauded S2000 chassis, taking advantage of the enclosed roof to build what has to be the stiffest frame ever on a production car.
Brakes are upgraded to almost exotic ceramic units to stop the lightweight, high powered machine dead in its tracks. Subtle aerodynamics are also incorporated to make an overall classy but race inspired statement. They are also functional, with an incorporated splitter along the bottom of the leading edge, a small but effective diffuser in the rear, and a small spoiler on the rear deck to keep the machine stable at speed, and planted firmly to the ground in the corners.
This car has birthed a new breed, touching supercar performance in a very approachable package. With understandable excitement, Honda is proud to introduce for the 2006 model year: the completely different S2000 V6.