Car enthusiasts are eagerly waiting for the latest iteration of the Honda NSX from the Japan-based auto manufacturer. However, it seems that they would have to wait a bit longer, as reports say that the production schedule for the upcoming model reboot was bumped from its original late 2015 release to sometime in spring next year.
The 2016 NSX, which will be christened as the new Acura in the United States, is the reboot of a concept model originally sketched way back in 2012. The production of the original Acura was stopped around 10 years ago, and fans of the model were ecstatic to learn that after years of hibernating, a new Acura was showcased in the 2015 Detroit Auto Show.
According to reports, Honda confirmed that the delay was due to last-minute changes in the car's engine design, changing the model's 3.5-liter V-6 engine block from a transversal to a longitudinal position.
This might sound like a trivial change for some since the change is in how the engine sits under the hood. However, car experts say that beneath the surface, Honda's last-minute change would also affect the production of the car itself. The engine would have to be broken down and again be designed according to the new specifications. In addition, the assembly would need to start again from the drawing board, since accommodating the new engine placement means that the hood design will have to be changed, as well as the chassis, to be able to secure the new engine and make an appropriate fitting for the rest of the design.
There is no definite release date yet for the 2016 Acura NSX, but the setback seems to not deter enthusiasts at all. If Honda releases the new NSX with just the design changes with no alteration to the engine type itself, then the new model is expected to deliver at least 550 horsepower from its three electric motors and the 3.5-liter twin-turbo engine, making it one of the current luxury supercars to date.
