Let’s take a look back at the 2017 Acura NSX, as it looked in 2012.
Jerry Seinfeld, in his television life and real life, has been and still is a car guy. That hasn’t changed.
He favored Saabs in his hit eponymous ’90s sitcom. He’s a well-known Porsche nut with a popular web show called Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee.
Back in 2012, at least for the sake of a Super Bowl commercial, he was interested in becoming the owner of the first second-generation Acura NSX. If you haven’t seen the spot, it’s worth a watch if only for its silliness and the zany lengths the comic goes to to get that elusive first key fob.
The then-concept version of the NSX is shown at the beginning and end of the spot. Although Seinfeld’s enthusiasm for automobiles hasn’t changed over the years, the NSX 2.0 certainly has. Four years ago, it had a completely different front fascia with a larger chrome insert in the grille area, headlights with fewer LEDs, and a different profile, among other characteristics. (Not that there’s anything wrong with that.)
Now we have a car that’s inspired some of you to say things such as:
“I think this is one of the best car designs I have ever seen. I can’t even describe how much I love it.”
and
“Magnesium fuel door hinge lol. Talk about maximizing weight savings to the nth degree. Beautiful car though.”
What do the rest of you all think? Did the NSX get better looking between 2012 and now or did it get hit with an ugly stick?
Derek Shiekhi's father raised him on cars. As a boy, Derek accompanied his dad as he bought classics such as post-WWII GM trucks and early Ford Mustang convertibles.
After loving cars for years and getting a bachelor's degree in Business Management, Derek decided to get an associate degree in journalism. His networking put him in contact with the editor of the Austin-American Statesman newspaper, who hired him to write freelance about automotive culture and events in Austin, Texas in 2013. One particular story led to him getting a certificate for learning the foundations of road racing.
While watching TV with his parents one fateful evening, he saw a commercial that changed his life. In it, Jeep touted the Wrangler as the Texas Auto Writers Association's "SUV of Texas." Derek knew he had to join the organization if he was going to advance as an automotive writer. He joined the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) in 2014 and was fortunate to meet several nice people who connected him to the representatives of several automakers and the people who could give him access to press vehicles (the first one he ever got the keys to was a Lexus LX 570). He's now a regular at TAWA's two main events: the Texas Auto Roundup in the spring and the Texas Truck Rodeo in the fall.
Over the past several years, Derek has learned how to drive off-road in various four-wheel-drive SUVs (he even camped out for two nights in a Land Rover), and driven around various tracks in hot hatches, muscle cars, and exotics. Several of his pieces, including his article about the 2015 Ford F-150 being crowned TAWA's 2014 "Truck of Texas" and his review of the Alfa Romeo 4C Spider, have won awards in TAWA's annual Excellence in Craft Competition. Last year, his JK Forum profile of Wagonmaster, a business that restores Jeep Wagoneers, won prizes in TAWA’s signature writing contest and its pickup- and SUV-focused Texas Truck Invitational.
