New Technical Details Released for 2016 Acura NSX

Without a doubt, the Acura NSX is one of the most exciting cars from the 2015 spring auto show season. Ever since the NSX Concept’s original debut at the Detroit Motor Show earlier this year, we’ve been eagerly awaiting any extra details we can get about the upcoming new supercar. Today, we got those extra details from Ted Klaus’ presentation at the SAE 2015 World Congress & Exhibition.

Ted Klaus is the chief engineer and global development leader for the new Acura NSX. In his presentation, he and his team showcased new technical details, many of which we’d suspected, but hadn’t confirmed.

For example, we already suspected that the Acura NSX’s all-new powertrain would feature a twin-turbo 3.5L V6 engine. What we didn’t know is that Acura engineered the 75° V-angle to simultaneously optimize engine rigidity and lower the powertrain components in the car’s chassis. This will allow the NSX to offer the lowest center of gravity in its class AND maintain peak performance even in extremely grueling turns (which Klaus’ engineers called “high lateral-G conditions”).

Similarly, the brand-new 9-speed dual-clutch transmission was also engineered to keep a low center of gravity with the majority of its mass centered around the driver, while a variable gear steering ratio allows confident drivers to push the NSX to its limits without fear.

Acura also confirmed details about the hybrid system. We now know for sure that the NSX will utilize a three-motor hybrid system. The rear motor will apply its torque directly to the crankshaft for instant rear-wheel power delivery, while the two front motors will be responsible for the NSX’s dynamic torque vectoring system. Since the hybrid system is designed to handle more combustion power and more torque than any other Acura powertrain to date, they’re ensuring the engine stays cool with a full 10 heat exchangers (pictured below) and an airflow management strategy that both maximizes aerodynamics and minimizes overheating.

But, Acura’s mechanical prowess doesn’t stop with powertrain… The chassis has been perfected as well. Klaus tells us that the NSX boasts the world’s first automotive application of new ablation casting technology and the first-ever use of three-dimensionally formed ultra-high-strength steel. Basically, all that equals out to class-leading chassis rigidity and crash performance without sacrificing agility or curb weight.

If there is one key takeaway from Acura’s presentation, it’s that the new NSX will represent the pinnacle of on-track precision. Everything about the NSX is designed to fuse car and driver into one being, and it’s clear that Acura has placed an enormous focus on accurately and immediately responding to all driver inputs.

At the end of the day, all these tech. specs really do is confirm what we already knew about the 2016 Acura NSX – it’s going to be really, really fun to drive. We’re still waiting to hear official performance details such as powertrain output and top speed, but hopefully we won’t be waiting long.