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Acura’s 2016 NSX hybrid supercar debuts in Detroit

Nick Jaynes
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Some 25 years after the debut of the original, Acura has finally and officially released the second-generation of its NSX supercar.

If — like so many of the Digital Trends staff — you are asking me, “Wait, Nick, Acura didn’t release that already?” I have some awkward news: No, not yet.

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Yes, Jerry Seinfeld and Jay Leno did appear in ads hocking the second-gen NSX around two years ago. Despite that ad campaign, however, Acura had not yet debuted its latest hybrid supercar … and there’s good reason for that.

When it was first shown in concept form, it was powered by a naturally aspirated V6 mated to a hybrid powertrain without a net power output of 400-ish horsepower.

Rightfully realizing this might not be enough to be competitive in the space, the Ohio-based design team went back to the drawing board and bolted up some turbos to the all-new 75-degree six-cylinder.

What we’re now left with – in production form – is a mid-mounted, twin-turbo V6 bolted to a nine-speed dual clutch transmission and an electric motor. The power doesn’t end there, I’m delighted to say. The NSX also has two more electric motors – with torque vectoring — in the front, allowing Acura to brand it with its Sport Hybrid Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive badge.

Now, what kind of power does this hybrid, tarmac tearing supercar make? Sadly, Acura won’t yet exactly say, telling us it will have around 550 horsepower, which isn’t quite enough to keep up with the 600+ hp Lamborghini Huracan or McLaren 650S.

2016 Acura NSX powertrain cutaway
2016 Acura NSX powertrain cutaway Image used with permission by copyright holder

What it will say, however, is that – just like in 1987, this new NSX is infused with “Precision Crafted Performance” — or PCP. Like any other PCP addict, I am sure the NSX will unstoppable.

Acura is quick to boast, though, that the all-new NSX’s cabin was designed – like its predecessor – with a “Human Support Cockpit,” which, according to Jonathan Norman, NSX interior design project leader, is said to provide “exceptional driver control, visibility and packaging, but further advanced to meet the extreme performance expectations of a modern supercar.” That means that the seats have “top-class holding performance” and an exceptional ease of ingress and egress.

Once the driver has easily and comfortably entered the cabin, he or she will be greeted with a TFT digital instrument cluster, which reacts to the inputs of the dial-operated Integrated Dynamic System, which features four modes: Quiet, Sport, Sport+, and Track.

Keeping all those bits together is an aluminum space frame, which Acura claims makes the NSX the world’s first aluminum supercar. Other build materials include carbon fiber and high-strength steel.

Not surprisingly, Acura also will not give exact pricing figures, saying the NSX will start around the mid $150,000 mark. Buyers ready to put their money down before knowing things like exact power output, engine displacement, battery capacity, or 0-to-60 figures, Acura will start taking custom orders starting this summer with deliveries beginning later in 2015.

Nick Jaynes
Nick Jaynes
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Nick Jaynes is the automotive editor of The Manual. When Nick isn't behind the wheel on the open road, he can be found…
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