Honda NSX( 1990 -2005)
All-aluminum body, "Japanese Ferrari"
1984, Honda entrusted Italian automobile design company Pininfarina to design the HP-X concept car (Honda Pininfarina Xperimental) for the company, which was equipped with a 2.0-liter V6 engine code-named C20A. In the process of research and development, Honda's management decided to turn HP-X into a model comparable to Italian and German supercars, and then it became the prototype of NS-X(New Sportscar eXperimental).
Honda regards Ferrari 328 as the imaginary enemy of NS-X. Honda's goal is to make NS-X have the same or higher performance, more reliable quality and lower price than Ferrari 328. When the project is nearing completion, Honda will aim at Ferrari 348 again. The 3.0-liter V6 engine with VTEC technology replaced the 2.0-liter V6 engine on HP-X, and Honda injected a lot of technology used in F 1 racing car into NS-X. ..
In order to develop NS-X, Honda invested a lot of time, energy, manpower and financial resources. For example, Shima Wu, a former F 1 racer with high status in Japan, was invited to test drive the early NS-X racing car at Suzuka Circuit. In order to improve the body adjustment, Satoru Nakajima conducted a long test at Suzuka Circuit. Ayrton senna, the three-time champion of F 1, was also invited to test drive NS-X and put forward many original suggestions for improvement. Honda also gave Senna two NS-X test cars.
The production car of NS-X was renamed NSX, which made its debut at Chicago Auto Show in 1989, and was widely praised after it made its debut at Tokyo Auto Show in 1989+00. NSX was officially released in Japan on 1990. 199 1 year, as the flagship product of Honda's premium brand Acura, NSX entered the markets of North America, Europe and Hong Kong. At that time, the price of each NSX was $65,000, which also created the highest price in the history of Japanese automobile industry at that time.
The NSX, with Ferrari 328 as its rival, also has a unique European sports car flavor in design. Headlights used the popular jumping lamp design of sports cars at that time, and the low body created a strong fighting atmosphere. As a rear-drive sports car, the air intake behind the NSX door is particularly eye-catching, and the door handle is cleverly "hidden". The taillight group running through the rear of the car is smoothly integrated with the rear spoiler.
As for the interior, NSX's center console adopts T-shaped symmetrical design, and designer Ken Okuyama has fully studied the cockpit style of fighter in the interior design. However, the interior of NSX does not make people feel that this is the atmosphere that a super sports car should have. The orderly functional area layout and the exquisite stitching on the edge of the leather center console are like being in a luxury car. As a performance sports car at that time, the configuration of NSX can be said to be quite "luxurious". Equipped with airbags, ABS anti-lock braking system, ESP electronic stability control system, xenon headlights, automatic air conditioning, cruise control, leather electric seats, seat heating, BOSE sound system, etc. Later, advanced configurations such as keyless entry were added.
NSX is also Honda's first all-aluminum car. The aluminum frame and suspension adopt revolutionary forging technology. NSX adopts the structure of front and rear double wishbone suspension, and the middle rear drive layout brings NSX an unparalleled driving experience. Forged suspension control arm, forged aluminum alloy wheel hub and all-aluminum body play an important role in its lightweight. The body size of NSX is 4430mm long, width 18 10mm high160mm and vehicle weight 1350kg.
Honda applied its racing technology to NSX for the first time, such as titanium alloy engine crankshaft and forged piston. The NSX is equipped with a 3.0-liter V6 engine code-named C30A, with a maximum power of 273 HP (20 1kW) and a maximum torque of 280n·m, matching a 5-speed manual transmission and a 4-speed automatic transmission.
Although NSX is already a top-class sports car, it is designed to strike a balance between everyday driving and pure driving pleasure. In order to satisfy a considerable number of users' pursuit of pure driving pleasure, Honda began to transform NSX on 1992, that is, NSX Type R (NSX-R for short) was born. Engineers have lightened the original NSX model, and the sound insulation and silencing system, audio system, spare tire, air conditioner and a large number of electronic equipment including traction control system have been removed. The leather seat was replaced by an electrically adjustable carbon fiber racing seat specially designed by RECARO for NSX. The steering wheel was made by Momo, and the aluminum alloy wheels forged by Enkai were replaced. The gear cover was changed from genuine leather to titanium alloy, which made NSX-R lose weight 120kg. 1992165438+10. In October, Honda rolled out 483 NSX-Rs in Japan.
1995, the semi-open NSX-T began to be sold in Japan in the form of order production. In the North American market, NSX-T replaced the original NSX as the only sales model. The detachable roof of NSX-T reduces the strength of the car body and adds 45 kilograms to make up for the strength.
1February, 997, NSX was greatly modified for the first time. The main difference is that the power system has been greatly improved. The original C30A3.0L V6 engine was replaced by C32B3.2L V6 engine, the cylinder liner was replaced by a higher density reinforced alloy, the engine cylinder body was reduced by 3kg, and the intake and exhaust were readjusted, which significantly improved the engine power output characteristics and reduced the maximum torque and speed by 100rpm. The maximum power of C32B engine is 293 HP (2 16kW)/7300rpm, and the maximum torque is 304 N m/5300 rpm. At the same time, the manual transmission is upgraded to 6-speed, but the automatic transmission model is still equipped with the original C30A engine.
200 1, Honda modified the appearance of NSX. The biggest change is that the original jumping lights have been changed into fixed headlights, and the front bumper and front luggage compartment cover, doors, side skirts, rear bumper and taillights have all been redesigned. The suspension system of NSX has also been re-adjusted to enhance maneuverability, improve road feel feedback and control response of braking and steering wheel, reduce weight and improve the rigidity of aluminum alloy body. The wheel hub was upgraded to 17 inch BBS forged ultra-light alloy wheel hub, and the front and rear tire sizes were 2 15/40 R 17 and 255/40 R 17 respectively. Even though the styling design of NSX is still out of date, it is not easy as a sports car born 23 years ago. (Click to enter the Japanese circuit to test drive Honda NSX Type S)
Seven years later, the NSX-R concept car was unveiled at the 200 1 Tokyo Motor Show, and was officially launched in May of the following year. The style of the new model is very similar to that of the old NSX-R. The luggage compartment lid and rear spoiler of the new NSX-R are made of carbon fiber, which makes it easy to break through the 8-minute obstacle that ordinary production cars can't break through at the new Bogeling circuit.
In 2005, Honda was forced to launch the NSX-R GT Street Edition according to the Super GT competition rules (the prototype production of the participating vehicles should be more than 5 vehicles). The car was limited to five cars, and the price was as high as 50 million yen.
Honda's enthusiasm for this event has made NSX a frequent visitor to the Japanese Super GT Series. The struggle between NSX and Supra in GT500 group is also a topic that fans talk about, and NSX also made its mark in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
After five limited-edition NSX-R GT vehicles were delivered to customers, in June 5438+1October 2005, Honda announced that NSX was officially discontinued. Honda NSX has sold more than 65,438+08,000 vehicles since it came out in 65,438+0990, of which 8,739 vehicles were sold in North America. Poor sales may be the only regret of NSX in 15.
Summary: Honda combined the experience and technology gained in F 1 stadium, and built the NSX integrated with Honda's most advanced technology at 1990. The birth of NSX has made great contributions to Japanese automobile industry, but it has been questioned because it can't get rid of the shadow of Ferrari 328. Since then, Ferrari's follow-up model F355 has been forced to implement power improvement measures by NSX, while other Japanese sports cars have developed with NSX as their competitors, which has greatly promoted the development of Japanese sports cars.
The 4th Generation Toyota Supra( 1993-2002)
Toyota "Niu Wangmo", the king of straight lines.
1In May 1993, Toyota launched the fourth generation Supra(A80) sports car. The design inspiration continues the American sports car style of the previous generation Supra. The long front design and prominent muscle lines are impressive at a glance. Compared with the past, the width of the car body is greatly increased by 120mm, but the length of the car body is shortened by 100mm, and the overall car body ratio is more perfect, which meets the necessary conditions for sports cars.
Supra does not use a lot of complicated lines in design, and the lines of the whole vehicle are extremely smooth. Different from other Japanese sports cars in the same period, the fourth-generation Supra has a forward-looking design from the third-generation jumping lamp to the fixed headlight, and adopts a smoky bottom headlight with a strong sporty atmosphere. The wide air intake grille at the front of the car and the air intake under the turn signal indicate the hidden performance of Supra.
Supra's tail design is different, and the visual focus is on the taillights that are also blackened. Supra's taillights are highly recognizable. The huge rear spoiler also makes Supra very visually impactful. Unlike the chrome-plated Logo at the rear of most models, the Logo at the rear of Supra is also blackened, and Toyota deliberately creates a mystery for Supra.
Supra's interior design is biased towards the driver's side, the dashboard style is quite retro, and the functional area on the center console is not deliberately divided. The four-spoke steering wheel style is extremely mediocre, which is in great contrast with the whole vehicle style. Supra's interior design may not cater to the preferences of every car owner.
Supra is equipped with cruise control, double airbags, ABS anti-lock braking system, ASR traction control system, electric folding rearview mirror, automatic air conditioning, CD audio system and other configurations.
Supra's suspension system is the same as the previous generation, which adopts four-wheel independent double wishbone suspension structure, but the rigidity of each part of the chassis has been greatly improved. The high-performance versions such as SZ-R, RZ and RZ-S are equipped with shock absorbers made in Billstam. In addition, Supra also uses an aluminum hood, and the detachable roof is also made of aluminum. Weight loss measures should make the front-to-rear weight ratio of Supra 53: 47 as much as possible. The body dimensions of Supra are 4520mm long, 8/8/0 mm wide, 0/275mm high and 0/5/0 kg vehicle weight. Although Supra has strong power, its actual mobility is not ideal. Supra has the title of "crazy on the straight road, dead on the detour".
Supra is equipped with a 3.0-liter DOHC inline six-cylinder engine code-named 2JZ, which is divided into two versions: naturally aspirated and twin turbocharged. The 2JZ-GE naturally aspirated engine has a power of 225 HP (165 kw)/5800 rpm and a maximum torque of 280 N m/4800 rpm, while the 2JZ-GTE twin-turbo engine has a power of 280 HP /5600 rpm and a maximum torque of 450 N m/3600. In addition, the Supra with twin turbocharged engines in the North American market has a maximum power of 320 HP (239kW)/5600rpm and a maximum torque of 427 N m/4000 rpm.
It is worth mentioning that the 2JZ-GTE twin-turbo engine has extremely high performance improvement potential, and the power output can be easily increased to 400-500 horsepower with only a small modification. The maximum power of the heavily modified 2JZ-GTE can even reach 1000 horsepower, hence Toyota's name "Niu Wangmo".
Toyota Supra also participated in the GT500 competition. 200 1, retired Masanori Kwangu took over as Tom's team director. After taking office, with the goal of winning the annual championship, he ushered in the opening game of JGTC (now Japan Super GT). Tom's team independently improved and strengthened the aerodynamic package of Supra GT500 racing car, and replaced the corresponding exclusive package according to the characteristics of each track. The main focus is to make corrections according to the different characteristics of each track and the team's own technology and experience, so every time Supra cars compete, there will be some differences in some small details.
Although every Supra racing car is made by TRD (Toyota Royal Modified Brand), Castrol TOM's Supra racing car not only improves the fuel consumption, but also enhances the torque output of the 3S-G inline four-cylinder turbocharged engine, with a maximum power of 470 HP (345kW)/6000rpm, a maximum torque of 637 N m/4500 rpm and a vehicle weight of 10.
Summary: Supra has been Toyota's most representative sports car in the nine-year production cycle. Participating in Japanese GT events has made Supra gain a high reputation, but this has not changed Toyota's decline in GT performance models. The stricter emission standards, coupled with the dissatisfaction of Toyota, have finally brought Supra to an end. On the occasion of the birth of Supra1997th anniversary, Toyota announced that it would no longer launch new Supra models. Since then, the whole car system has been put into limbo, and Supra finally stopped production in August 2002, but its violent performance and advanced design are still totems in the hearts of fans.
Mazda RX-7( 199 1 until 2002)
The first mass-produced rotating engine sports car
The 3rd generation RX-7 code-named FD3S went on sale in199165438+February. The name "savanna" originally used in the previous generation was no longer used since FD3S, and it was officially changed to RX-7. Since Mazda brand changed its Logo at 1997, it is not surprising that RX-7 with new and old logos appeared on the market. (Click to enter Mazda RX-7 real shot article)
The design of RX-7 makes it hard for you to believe that it is a product of the 1990s. Only by jumping lights can we see the style of sports car design in that era. The appearance of the third generation RX-7 is smoother than that of the previous generation, and the design of fog lamp position is the finishing touch. In order not to destroy the aerodynamic effect, the door handle is integrated with the B-pillar, which makes the RX-7 more unique.
The tail of RX-7 is most talked about by people, and it looks like a telephone handle. The blackened taillights add a performance flavor to the RX-7, and the shape of the rear spoiler is slightly low-key for a performance sports car. I believe that most fans will be fascinated by the RX-7 at first sight.
The interior design of the RX-7 also adopts a style that is biased towards the driver's side. The dashboard is designed in retro clock style, and the tachometer in the middle highlights its performance car orientation. The three-spoke steering wheel is in harmony with the overall atmosphere in the car, and the function area of the center console is slightly messy. However, for the performance-oriented RX-7, the in-car functions are mainly simple and practical, and the North American version can be equipped with BOSE sound system and sunroof.
The dimensions of RX-7 are 4285 mm long, 1760 mm wide and 1230 mm high. Adopt all-aluminum front and rear double wishbone suspension system. Because the RX-7 is equipped with wider tires, the width of the vehicle is obviously widened. But the hood, suspension system, spare tire and even jack are all made of aluminum alloy, so the RX-7 is only 650.
The power system of RX-7 is the biggest highlight of the whole vehicle. Equipped with 1.3L (the volume of each rotor is 654cc, multiplied by two rotors, it is 1308cc), with a maximum power of 255 HP (188kW) and a maximum torque of 294n·m, 1996 RX-7 is equipped with a brand-new ECU and exhaust system. 1998 RX-7 adjusted the cooling system, with the maximum power of 280 HP (206kW)/6500rpm and the maximum torque of 313n m/5000 rpm. The horsepower-to-weight ratio of the RX-7 Type R model is further reduced to 0.3kW/kg, showing the performance of a super sports car.
In 200 1 year, Mazda launched a limited edition RX-7 RZ model, equipped with RECARO racing seat, adjustable damping shock absorber, 17 inch gun gray BBS aluminum alloy wheel, red stitched leather steering wheel, gear lever and other configurations, and the power system remained unchanged.
Although RX-7 has excellent performance, it also has congenital defects. Rotor engine is extremely sensitive to high temperature, and the durability and high fuel consumption of rotor engine are also a headache for car owners. Finally, due to the inability to adapt to the increasingly stringent environmental regulations, the RX-7 was officially discontinued after the last limited edition RX-7 Spirit R model was launched in August 2002. 199 1 By 2002, the third generation RX-7 had sold 68,589 vehicles worldwide.
Speaking of RX-7, I have to mention an old man named Amemiya Isamu May. After Mazda abandoned RX-7, Rain Palace kept RX-7 active in the arena. RE Gong Yu refitting factory, which is famous for refitting rotor engines professionally, took part in the Japanese Super GT series on 1995 with RX-7 racing car. RE Gong Yu did not get the support of the manufacturer, but participated in the GT300 race as a private team. Although weak, it still has the strength to compete with the manufacturer team. In 200 1 year, the RX-7 racing car of RE Gong Yu was greatly improved, with the maximum power of 3 10 horsepower (228kW)/8,000rpm and the maximum torque of 323 N m/6,500rpm. At the last stop of the season, RX-7 of RE Gong Yu even had a chance to win the annual championship of GT300, and finally won the second place that year.
Summary: RX-7 is the world's first mass-produced sports car equipped with a rotary engine. Mazda's market positioning of RX-7 lightweight high-performance sports car is very clear, but the demand for sports cars in Japan, Europe and North America, the main target markets, is shrinking day by day, and the regulations on automobile exhaust emission standards in countries all over the world are becoming stricter. In August 2002, Mazda had to give up this pure sports car.
Mitsubishi 3000GT( 1990 to 200 1 year)
Four-wheel drive sports car, American charm
Mitsubishi's HSX concept car made its debut at Tokyo Motor Show in 1989, and its production version of Mitsubishi GTO was officially released in 1990+00. In most export markets except Japan, Mitsubishi GTO is sold under the name of Mitsubishi 3000GT. The 3000GT is divided into basic models, and there are two versions, SL and VR-4 (GTO and 3000GT are just named differently, hereinafter referred to as 3000GT).
The shape of the 3000GT is obviously biased towards the preferences of the North American market. When you have a bird's-eye view of this car, you will find that the car body is unfolded to both sides from front to back, while the middle door is tightened inward and the lines are like coke bottles. The 3000GT also adopts the popular jumping lamp design of sports cars, but different from other brands of sports cars, the jumping lamp of the 3000GT is perfectly integrated with the width indicator light, and the lines of the whole car are smooth and powerful.
The design of the rear transverse taillight of 3000GT is quite eye-catching, and the car name is cleverly embedded in it. For a high-performance sports car, the rear spoiler of the 3000GT could have been exaggerated. The rear spoiler is integrated with high-position brake lights, and the exhaust on both sides proves its extraordinary strength.
The interior style of the 3000GT also seems to reveal the charm of an American sports car, but the assembly process is as exquisite as that of a Japanese car. The three small instruments on the center console are very competitive, but it is not difficult to see that the clock is embedded in it, which is the corresponding compromise made by 3000GT for daily driving. The functional areas in the car are clearly divided, and the slightly moderate four-spoke steering wheel does not reflect the characteristics of its sports car at all.
The 3000GT is equipped with double airbags, automatic air conditioner with LCD display, electric seat, cruise control system, 6-disc CD audio and other configurations, and advanced configurations such as keyless entry are integrated in the later models. The 3000GT is not only amazing in design, but also incorporates many novel technologies of 3000GT, such as full-time four-wheel drive system, 4WS rear wheel steering, and electronically controlled suspension. The 3000GT is also equipped with active front and rear spoilers, controllable exhaust sound wave adjustment system and many other electronic configurations.
3000GT adopts front McPherson/rear double wishbone suspension structure. Its body size is 4575mm, its width is 1840mm, its height is 1285mm, and its weight is 1680kg. As a sports car with rich configuration, the "weight" of 3000GT is quite disadvantageous compared with similar sports cars in the same period.
The 3000GT adopts the front four-wheel drive (the low-profile vehicle is the front wheel drive) and is equipped with a 3.0-liter DOHC naturally aspirated twin-turbo engine code-named 6G72, in which the maximum power of the naturally aspirated engine is 225 HP (165kW)/6000rpm and the maximum torque is 275 N m/4500 rpm. The maximum power of the twin-turbo engine is 280 HP (206 kW) /6000 rpm, and the maximum torque is 426 N m/2500 rpm. Matching the engine is a 5-speed manual gearbox (later upgraded to a 6-speed manual gearbox) and a 4-speed automatic gearbox.
1995, Mitsubishi introduced a 3000GT VR-4 Spyder with a 3.0-liter V6 twin-turbo engine, with a maximum power of 300 HP (22 1kW)/6000rpm and a maximum torque of 415n m/2500 rpm.
Interestingly, from 199 1 to 1996, Dodge once launched a sports car called Stealth based on Mitsubishi 3000GT. The invisible appearance was designed by Dodge. Apart from the appearance, there is no obvious difference in power and structure between Stealth and 3000GT.
Although Mitsubishi 3000GT had many leading designs at that time, it was a pity that it could not be recognized by consumers. In addition, the sale of Mitsubishi Eclipse, a cheap sports car, had a huge impact on the sales of 3000GT, which finally stopped production in August 20001year.
Summary: As Mitsubishi's flagship sports car at that time, the layout of front four-wheel drive, strong engine performance and rich configuration are undoubtedly its biggest highlights, but when the 3000GT moves closer to luxury sports cars, it will inevitably lose some users who pursue pure driving pleasure. With the fierce competition of Japanese sports cars of the same class and the sales pressure brought by Mitsubishi's own sports cars, the 3000GT has come to an end.
(The above information is from car home)