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Conference terri::cars_uk

Title:Cars in the UK
Notice:Please read new conference charter 1.70
Moderator:COMICS::SHELLEYELD
Created:Sun Mar 06 1994
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:2584
Total number of notes:63384

1174.0. "HONDA NS-X" by NCEIS1::CHEVAUX (Patrick Chevaux, Nice, 828-6995) Wed Aug 01 1990 17:38

    Read in August issue of Sport Auto (F) :
    
        New HONDA NS-X : 1st test drive, compared with Ferrari 348tb
    
    Summary: disappointing 1st impression based on previews in Japan.
    Sport Auto editor was expecting a Ferrari challenger but finds the
    Honda too civilised (comfort vs sporty). Admits that Honda have
    beautifully designed some parts of the car. Safe road holding.
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1174.1the NS-X is comingNCEIS1::CHEVAUXPatrick Chevaux, Nice, 828-6995Mon Dec 24 1990 13:3274
In this month SPORT AUTO an interesting comparison of several cars likely
to be challenged by the new Honda NSX. Summary below :

Technical data

		Ferrari      Lotus      Porsche    Venturi      Honda 
		 348tb	   Esprit SE   Carrera 2     260	NSX
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Engine type	V8 90deg    Str. 4	Flat 6	   V6 90deg	V6 90deg
Camshafts	2 x 2	    2		2 x 1	   2 x 1	2 x 2
Valves		4 per cyl   4 per cyl	2 per cyl  2 per cyl	4 per cyl
								VTEC
Turbocharger	-------	    Garrett	-------	   Garrett	-------
			    TB03		   T3
Ignition	Marelli	    Delco	Bosch	   EIA Renix	Honda
Capacity	3405cc	    2174cc	3600cc	   2849cc	2977cc
Bore x Stroke	85x75mm	    95.3x76.2	100x76.4   91x73	90x78
Compr ratio	10.4	    8		11.3	   8.2		9.7
Max rpm		8000	    7400	6800	   6500		8000
Pk power hp	300	    264		250	   260		274
@ rpm		7200	    6500	6100	   5750		7300
pk hp/ltr ratio	88	    122		69	   91		92
Pk torque mkg	33	    36		31.6	   44		29
@rpm		4200	    3900	4800	   1750		5400
pk tr/ltr ratio 9.7	    16.6	8.8	   14.5		9.7

Cx / SCx	.32/?	    .35/?	.32/.573   .31/.5	.32/.57
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
		Ferrari	    Lotus	Porsche	   Venturi	Honda
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Measured weight	1485kg	    1320	1395	   1280		1355
Front/Rear	?	    555/765	565/830	   510/770	555/800
kg/pk hp ratio	4.95	    5 kg/hp	5.58	   4.93		4.95

Tyres front	215/50x17   215/50x15	205/55x16  205/55x16	205/50x15
      rear	255/45x17   245/50x16	225/50x16  245/45x16	225/50x16


Price (France)
FF Dec 1990

		Ferrari	    Lotus	Porsche	   Venturi	Honda
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
		639000	    539200	439200	   488000	480000



Measured performance

		Ferrari	    Lotus	Porsche	   Venturi	Honda
		348 tb	   Esprit SE   Carrera 2     260	NSX
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Top speed (kph)	274	    260		260	    263		271

0-400m	(sec)	14"00	    13"60	13"80	    13"20	13"70
0-1km   (sec)	25"70	    25"40	25"60	    24"70	25"00

0-100kph(sec)	6"4	    ?		6"3	    6"3		6"6

100-140kph
on 5th gear	9"3	    8"8		10"5	    8"4		11"2



A few notes:

- the Ferrari 348tb has an awful gearchange (very slow), the Porsche's
  gearchange is unprecise (too much play), Honda's perfect
- the Honda's target (current version) is clearly the Ferrari
- torque speaks (see Venturi and Lotus figures)
- the Venturi is available in both slow and fast final drive versions. Top
  speed was reached at max rpm (ignition cutoff) with slow version
- Ferrari's production booked for about 3 years (Ferrari effect)
- All other cars readily available 
1174.2There's one in CannesNCEIS1::CHEVAUXPatrick Chevaux, Nice, 828-6995Wed Feb 27 1991 13:234
    For the Valbonneers
    
    Garage CALIFORNIE Automobiles, Boulevard de Lorraine, Cannes have a red
    NS-X for demo.
1174.3Too damed expensive :-(CRATE::WATSONAs simple as possible, not simplerWed Feb 27 1991 14:2616
1174.4VOGON::ATWALDon't dream it, be itThu Feb 28 1991 10:598
>>    obtain test drives of cars with much longer waiting lists (Lotus Elan)

the wait list for Elans is non-existant - takes longer to get a Pug GTI than a 
new Elan



...art
1174.5I hate the recessionCHEST::WATSONAs simple as possible, not simplerThu Feb 28 1991 11:5822
    art,
    	When I took the Elan out for a test drive (over 12 months ago)
    there were only dealer / press demonstrators available and the waiting
    list was 12 months or so. At the same time I was offered a Pug1.9 for a
    healthly discount from my local dealer. It would seem that the
    recession has turned the car market on its head.
    
    	As for the Elan you probably can get them immediatly nowdays but I
    would have thought that would also apply to the Pug1.9.
    
    	Me, well I don't know what to get. Options include ...
    
    		1. Elan SE
    		2. New Elan Sprint
    		3. New mid-engined VTEC CRX
    		4. 2nd hand cossie
    		5. 2nd hand 944 Turbo SE
    		6. None-of-the-above-because-of-said-recession :-(
    
    	Mind you now this war is over us Ada contractors ...
    
    		Rik
1174.6VOGON::ATWALDon't dream it, be itThu Feb 28 1991 12:1110
 >>   		3. New mid-engined VTEC CRX


huh? *mid_engined* CRX - i've not heard of that one...?


must admit to being surprised at the 3 month wait for the 1.9 Pug


...art
1174.7FORTY2::BETTSX.500 DevelopmentThu Feb 28 1991 12:516
    
    Tell me more, please! I'm potentially interested in the CRX VTEC
    (though I haven't driven one yet) - a mid engined, rwd, variant
    could be just what I'm looking for.
    
    Bill
1174.8Mid-engined CRXCHEST::WATSONAs simple as possible, not simplerThu Feb 28 1991 13:5413
1174.9NCEIS1::CHEVAUXPatrick Chevaux, Nice, 828-6995Fri Mar 01 1991 16:127
    Just sat in the NSX in the garage (salesman did not have time for a
    testdrive, will reschedule very soon).
    
    Build quality and presentation truly excellent. Engine bay very neat
    and clean. Ferrari is left with just the name.
    
    I still need to feel the road characteristics.
1174.10Mitsubishi GTO3000? NSDC::SIMPSONThe Clot Thickens...Wed Mar 20 1991 15:4117
Anybody know anything about the Mitsubishi GTO3000? Apparently, its getting
rave reviews in Japan - similar specification to the NSX, but half the
price?

In Japan, the market is getting difficult for most manufacturers. Toyota
are holding their own, but Nissan, Subaru and (especially) Honda are struggling
- the latter's market share has fallen back to 7.5%. Two companies that are
bucking the trend are Mazda - everyone is trying to rush out small sports cars
to emulate their success and Mitsubishi - who have recently got the Japanese
Car of the Year award. 

Honda are shutting a factory in the US down. Wonder if their woes will affect
their GP program?!

Cheers

Steve
1174.11VOGON::ATWALDon't dream it, be itWed Mar 20 1991 15:5816
1174.12FORTY2::BETTSX.500 DevelopmentWed Mar 20 1991 16:1012
    
    The market shares surprise me. I've never rated Mitsubishi (don't
    like the name); similarly Mazda make some excellent cars but don't
    have the cache of Honda or Toyota.
    
    I would have thought Honda would have been performing on a par with
    Toyota. Though Toyota have some pretty good cars in their current
    range, they could really do with a supercar and a car to rival to
    the CRX VTEC. Then again, I guess Honda have nothing to really compete
    with the Lexus (the Legend is good, but not that good).
                                                         
    Bill.
1174.13SKIWI::EATONMarketing - the rubber meets the skyThu Mar 21 1991 01:198
Aparently one of Honda's major problems is the lack of sales and service space
in the major urban centres - land still (watch this space...) being extremely 
expensive over there. They cannot compete with the big two who have many more 
outlets. Aparently the sales/salesman ratio is higher with Honda than with the
big two, but htere just aren't enough of them.

When the big banks start falling over in Japan, land prices should tumble
significantly which should help people like Honda...