Can a modern mid-engined sportster manhandle an antiquated supercar? Firstly, one has to ask if the 1992 Honda/Acura NSX was (or is) a supercar. Second, if the Lotus Evora has a simialr configuration and more horsepower than the '92 NSX, then is it safe to call the Evora a supercar? Finally, labels forgotten, are their any two cars built 18 years apart with more similarities than the NSX and Lotus Evora?
From a 3.5L Toyota V6 Lotus has foudn 276 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, tasked that power with shoving 1382 kilograms around the track, and asked punters to do so after paying £47,500 in the UK - or $73,500 for American customers. In 1992, the Ferrari 348-baiting Honda NSX (an Acura NSX to those of us in North America) was plenty powerful with 270 horsepower and 210 lb-ft of torque generated by a 3.0L VTEC V6. 1365 kilograms made it more than a featherweight but far from a heavy-duty machine. In the UK, 1992 prices were set at £65,000. U.S. prices were identical, but in U.S. dollars, of course. Adjusted for inflation, the NSX would be priced at $101,000 today, some $30K north of the Evora's MSRP.
With a peak speed of 101.3 miles per hour the Honda NSX finished its best lap with a time of 1:30.1. The Lotus Evora reached peak speeds of 104.2 miles per hour and, as you'd guess, lapped exactly three seconds faster - 1:27.1. evo's driver praised the Evora's braking superiority and blamed the NSX's edgy balance, a trait not endured in the Lotus which found more challenging corners not so challenging after all.
18 years equals three seconds? Hmm, put it that way and you wonder how far we've evolved as a society. But don't forget, Honda's development of the NSX - development aided by one Ayrton Senna - was sweetness in its time. The Lotus Evora is a nice car, but not necessarily the pick of the modern crop. Similar output and weight aside, the NSX is a classic. It's doubtful the Lotus Evora will ever reach that status.
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NSX was nmever beeautfil but I am surprised to see it still has seriouson-road presence
ReplyDeleteThe 1992 NSX was a '90 era supercar which was, at the same time, very much geared for a comfortable ride as much as for performance.
ReplyDeleteEven in 1992, the NSX suffered from tires which were too small (205F,225R) and a suspension that was too soft for serious track work. Knowing the NSX pretty well, my guess would be that even with just a set of better tires, that 3 seconds difference could already be cut in half without much difficulty.