Current Generation NSX Production to Halt at Year End

TORRANCE, Calif. 07/11/2005 -- To further enhance the division's performance image, Acura is developing a new sports car to succeed the award-winning NSX supercar. Acura also announced that production of the current generation NSX will cease at the end of the year due to the extensive retooling necessary to meet stringent 2006 emissions and equipment regulations for the U.S., Europe and Asia.

"We are committed to having an ultra high-performance vehicle in the Acura lineup in the future," said John Mendel, senior vice president, automobile operations. "It's too early to comment on specifics, but the all-new model will be just as groundbreaking as the 1991 NSX."

As the first-ever supercar from Japan, the NSX was created as a hand-built, exotic, mid-engine sports car that would establish entirely new levels of performance, refinement and drivability. The NSX went on sale in the summer of 1990 and the following year posted record U.S. sales of 1,940 vehicles. Through June of 2005, NSX cumulative sales totaled 8,854 in the U.S. and more than 18,000 worldwide.

During its 15-year run, the NSX has been showered with accolades including, Automobile Magazine's "Automobile of the Year and Design of the Year" awards, Popular Science's "Best of What's New," Road &Track's "Ten Best Cars in the World" list. Motor Trend magazine also named the NSX to its "Top Ten Performance Cars" list and touted it as "the best sports car ever built."

Acura designed the NSX as a technological and performance showcase. Among other innovations, it was the first production car to feature an all-aluminum body, chassis, and suspension and to utilize titanium connecting rods. It featured a transversely mounted dual overhead cam V-6 engine equipped with Acura's breakthrough VTEC (Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control) system and a variable volume induction system.

Over time, the NSX received continuous updates to ensure its competitiveness and popularity with serious sports car enthusiasts. The NSX has also captured multiple championships in the highest levels of sports car and prototype racing.

---- Press release ends - below is the news item we released earlier tonight

We've just received word that a memo was circulated to Acura dealers today regarding an announcement that will be made "this evening" with respect to the future of the NSX. In particular the memo advises that production of the current generation NSX will cease at the end of this year due to strict '06 standards for emissions and equipment in US, Europe and Asia.

In addition, the memo says that "it is too early to discuss specific details" (of the next NSX model), but it continues by saying that this "ultra high-performance vehicle will be just as groundbreaking as the 1991 NSX was when introduced fifteen years ago."

This is all we know at this point. If we were to guess, it seems that perhaps the official announcement will be released on http://world.honda.com.

UPDATE: we've just learned that "this evening" means 7PM Pacific Time.

UPDATE 2: Please note that the nature of the release that's coming at 7PM Pacific time is mostly about the end of the current NSX's run. It's only going to mention that Honda/Acura is currently developing the next generation NSX. There will be no mention of the timetable, but we're pretty sure it's not going to be available next year. We're hoping that there will be more information at the upcoming Tokyo Motor Show. If so, we better quickly figure out how to fund another trip there to cover it!