Think "supercars" and what pops into your mind? McLaren, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Porsche or Pagani? Those marquee names are about to get some serious competition on top of the mount Olympus of sports cars from the unlikeliest of competitors. Think Honda, Toyota, Nissan and Chevy. Each of these "bargain brands" will unveil some of the most potent and meanest supercars around, which should immediately send the European exotics scrambling for answers.
NSX vs. LF-A
The rivalry between Toyota and Honda -- and their luxury brands Lexus and Acura, respectively -- has been steaming as of late, but with the arrival of two new high-powered racers coming from each camp for the 2010 model year that anomocity is about to boil over. Consider how similar the LF-A from Lexus will be to the NSX from Honda in raw numbers. Both will be front-engine. The Lexus will be real-wheel drive, while the Honda will be clearly rear-biased super handling all-wheel drive. Lexus promises a high-tech V-10 producing somewhere north of 500 horsepower. Honda promises a high-tech V-10 with power ranging from 500-550 horsepower. Both cars will top out with a max speed of more than 200 mph, and both will come with sophisticated six-speed transmissions. The major difference is that Honda seems to have a singular vision to create a performance-focused machine, while the Lexus supercar will do its best to hold form by delivering some really sophisticted luxury features. Expect both cars to bow in at a price point slightly on the rich side of $100,000. The automobile equivalent of the Hatfields and McCoys are about to go at it!
SS vs. GT-R
Another major battle is brewing just south of the $100,000 price range between America and Japan, the likes of which not seen since World War II. Chevy will bow the Corvette SS at some point during the 2009 model year cycle, while the spiritual successor to the legendary Skyline, the Nissan GT-R, will arrive around that same time frame. Conceptually, these two cars are very different, but if you've got $90,000 burning a hole in your back pocket then either car could make your dreams come true. Both cars will pack enough punch to make the Porsche 911 (perhaps not the Turbo, but certainly the 4S model) consider throwing in the proverbial towel. Rumors have the new Corvette producing a red hot 650 horsepower via a standard V-8 "vette" engine with a stapped on supercharger. Better yet, the SS will use more carbon-fiber body panels than the current Corvette Z06, which should produce some "unbelievable for the price" acceleration times. The new Nissan GT-R, or R36, will use Nissan's FM platform, which is shared by everything from the Infiniti G35 to the FX35 SUV. The car will have a front-mid engine chassis and will feature a sophisticated all-wheel drive system. The GT-R should pump out somewhere in the vicinity of 450 horsepower and exhibit handling characteristics in line with previous cars in its "skyline" family tree.
5 comments:
The Skyline GTR may be the best out of the pack. With a twin turbo inline 6, power potential is unlimited. Turbo lag will be an non issue as the GTR uses a twin turbo design which virtually provides a linear transition from off boost to boost. To top it off, the GTR will put its visceral power down with a sophisticated all wheel drive system (Rear biased) The GTR has always been Japan's elite supercar. That legacy will continue.
NSX looks sick. The replacement batmobile???
The differences between these 4 cars are so marginal. Or at least it seems that way at this point. They'll all be fast, they'll all handle well, so on. I think the GT-R wins simply by the fact that it will be the cheapest. Starting at around $70,000, it will be the most affordable of these non-European racers.
There's been rumors that Honda is completely revising the design of the new NSX, from what is shown in this picture. Apparently, people didn't like the design when this concept was first unveiled. We'll see.
The new NSX looks hot! The car underneath it (pun intended) is the new Lexus supercar? Really??? I guess they gave up on trying to "innovate" and just put some cover over an old Mitsubishi 3000! But wait, maybe it can park itself! But I guess Toyota's R&D team has time to work their magic after they meet for a few more of their brainstorming sessions (i.e. driving over to the Acura dealership).
Yeah, just like every other car Lexus makes I expect the LF-A to be a total snoozefest. Wish I had the dough to buy me a new NSX. I'm taking donations...anyone?
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