There is no turbocharging or hybrid boost. Just the raw power of a naturally-aspirated V6 in a sleek, low-slung body.
Name: Honda HSC
Launched:2003 Tokyo Motor Show
Specifications:midmounted 3.5-liter V6 with 300+ HP, six-speed F1 style paddle shift gearbox and carbon fiber body. Double wishbone suspension, Brembo brakes. 19-inch front wheels.Why It Matters Now:
It was seen as a replacement for the Senna-approved original NSX. We are sorry that we didn’t get to see a second generation until 2016, as it would have been a worthy replacement.
The last Concepts We Forgot article (next week will be a roundup), turns on the time machine to dial back to 2003, when Honda played with our emotions and unveiled the HSC. The mid-engined coupe, named after the “High-Performance Sports Car” (or “Honda Sports Concept”) was first shown at Tokyo Motor Show. It was then given the Acura badge in 2004 for the North American International Auto Show.
In 2003, the first-gen NSX was alive and well. Most people thought that the HSC was a preview of what was to come in terms of a direct successor. Honda announced that the concept was a concept a few years later. Some people took a look at the Ferrari Enzo’s exterior design after the official debut of the car. We’re inclined to agree with them.
The sports car featured cameras in place of traditional mirrors, and LED taillights with a 3D pattern. It was technologically advanced. The car’s sleek body was entirely made of carbon fiber wrapped around an aluminum frame. This helped to keep its weight down. Dual exhaust tips were mounted in the middle of the rear bumper to allow the naturally-aspirated 3.5-liter V6 engine and 300+ horses to play their tune.
While purists may argue that a manual gearbox should be installed, Honda promised “instantaneous gear changes” using the F1-style F1 gearbox with a paddle shifting setup. This compromise would likely have been accepted by many. The HSC can sprint from 0 to 60 mph (96 km/h) in just 4.7 seconds, and reach a maximum speed of 186 miles (300 km/h), making it both fast and efficient even today’s standards.
It was followed by the Acura Advanced Sport Car Concept in January 2007. Seven years later, the NSX concept followed. This model became a production model.