cpruitt

Acura NSX Prototype - It looks like an S2000 on steroids, but under these hand-crafted panels is an early mechanical prototype of the long awaited next generation Acura NSX.

Ponyboy

Actual pic of mule in question:

Top Ramen

They are clearly using S2000 body panels to disguise it. Not surprising since Honda is probably the best auto maker at hiding prototypes. Definitely front-engine. I hope they don't really call it "NSX." That name had a very specific meaning which is totally irrelevant to this car. . .

Ponyboy

..except for the transverse mounted exhaust here:



I'm fairly sure, if it is front mounted, they won't call it an NSX. There would be nothing to carry the legacy over sans a few styling cues. However, there's only one reason why a car company mounts an exhaust transversely.

Top Ramen

Perhpas there is hope. Now that I look at the photos more carefully, there is a lot of room behind the driver.

ak

as long as it doesn't look like ASCC I'm all for it.

stefce

I would say definetly not a NEW NSX,
At least it looks like a Photoshoped Version of the S2000.

It might be a car as the next S2000 and rumor was that it would be 2+2 300 hp 4x4 And this would look like it.
Anyway We see what it will be.

teggsr925

i thought the next nsx would be front engine rwd

Tight Fit

that thing looks CRAZY!!

Blue-Civic-Hybrid

iTrader: (1)

I wish I knew what kind of motor they are testing in that car.. V8 perhaps? or the supposed V10?

I love how they made the body panels fit on that mule!!

JDM knowledge

iTrader: (1)

Honda = sneaky clever bastards.
Cant wait to see the final product.

itr1244

eww lol

Westrock2000

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Ponyboy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">..except for the transverse mounted exhaust here:



I'm fairly sure, if it is front mounted, they won't call it an NSX. There would be nothing to carry the legacy over sans a few styling cues. However, there's only one reason why a car company mounts an exhaust transversely.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I'm just wondering what makes you say that (incase there is something I don't see). Plenty of front engine cars have the muffler packaged like that, if that is what your thinking. I do admit the extended length on the hardtop is very suspicous. 2+2 S2000 anyone??

xtreme26

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by stefce &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I would say definetly not a NEW NSX,
At least it looks like a Photoshoped Version of the S2000.

It might be a car as the next S2000 and rumor was that it would be 2+2 300 hp 4x4 And this would look like it.
Anyway We see what it will be. </TD></TR></TABLE>
doubt it

94rs-turbo

iTrader: (6)

im disappointed, looks like the s2k way too much not like its own style of car

Ponyboy

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Westrock2000 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I'm just wondering what makes you say that (incase there is something I don't see). Plenty of front engine cars have the muffler packaged like that, if that is what your thinking.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I say that b/c there's no consideration other than increasing trunk space as to why a manufacturer would transverse an exhaust. There are FR cars like this, of course, but they are certainly the exception to the rule.

I have to say that I have no idea whether this mule is FR or MR. The hood bulge is huge. There looks to be just enough space in the front for an engine. But the transverse exhaust and the exhaust tips placed so high...who knows.

Ponyboy

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 94rs-turbo &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">im disappointed, looks like the s2k way too much not like its own style of car</TD></TR></TABLE>

Fail.

Tb0y

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 94rs-turbo &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">im disappointed, looks like the s2k way too much not like its own style of car</TD></TR></TABLE>

BrakeExpert

It actually looks like an EVEn uglier version of the RX8. So why make it look like what could be a 4 door when its a ugly copy of the S2000? The S2000 was perfect the way it was, as was the NSX. The NSX is a SUPERCAR, this picture is trash and I bet ya anything its a bad photoshop and the story is a phony

ak

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by BrakeExpert &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">It actually looks like an EVEn uglier version of the RX8. So why make it look like what could be a 4 door when its a ugly copy of the S2000? The S2000 was perfect the way it was, as was the NSX. The NSX is a SUPERCAR, this picture is trash and I bet ya anything its a bad photoshop and the story is a phony</TD></TR></TABLE>

no

eg6maniac

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmSXHJV441E &lt;&lt; heres a video. And to clarify to the people who dont get it, they just used the body of a the s2000 as a test bed.

Top Ramen

It's like people don't know what a test mule is. . .


Modified by Top Ramen at 10:54 PM 5/27/2007

Tb0y

or maybe they just don't know how to read when the article clearly says that in the beginning.

dinko

for the n00bs

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Wikipedia &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
A development mule or a test mule in the automotive industry is a vehicle equipped with experimental or prototype components for testing. Automakers evaluate aspects of vehicles before a full pre-production car is built to find problems. Mule cars are drivable and may come after concept cars that sometimes lack critical mechanical components.

Mules are often heavily altered and the exteriors may be disguised as current production vehicles or as completely different models. They are most often used very heavily during testing and are scrapped.

</TD></TR></TABLE>

dinko

btw...here's some big pics on leftlanenews.com

http://www.leftlanenews.com/acura-nsx-future.html