Date Posted 04-27-2005

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Acura NSX

TOKYO — The run of the Honda NSX, known in North America as the Acura NSX, will draw to an end in June this year. The NSX is the fastest in Honda's and Acura's sports line, and throughout its 15-year lifetime 18,000 NSXs rolled off the assembly line. Despite its light body and sporty appearance, declining demand resulted in lowered production in recent years.

Once hailed as a Ferrari competitor, and developed with help from legendary Formula One pilot Ayrton Senna, the NSX may have lost popularity because its initial design received only minor alterations throughout its life.

More important, the past few years have seen a rise in the development and marketing of sport vehicles with engines capable of producing 400 to 500 horsepower. The NSX has never been a class leader with its original 274-hp, 3.0-liter V6 engine, and the capacity of its upgraded 3.2-liter V6 version remained at 280 hp.

Although in 2001 the NSX received new headlights, a modified running gear and some refurbished body parts, its basic design remained unchanged.

Official information is not yet available on what model will follow the NSX, but the HSC concept, unveiled in 2003, is expected to yield Acura's new entry into the sleek and sporty leagues.

What this means to you: Chalk up another victim of the horsepower wars. But when you don't spend money on redesigns, this is what happens.