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2020 Acura NSX Road Test | The cerebral supercar

The 2020 Acura NSX is the kind of car you’re pumped to drive. You think about it the night before. You read up on it. You tell your friends and family. You notice passers-by admiring it in the driveway. They try to be sly. Some gawk. There’s anticipation.

But is there satisfaction? The NSX immediately raises two questions. Where does it fit among its contemporaries and does it measure up to its legendary predecessor?

Seeking the answers, I slip behind the wheel on a sunny morning. The NSX is a welcome respite from the cares of the world and concerns of the coronavirus. I’ve got a few hours ahead of me in a $203,000 supercar. It’s a good time to reflect.

Immediately, I have a sense of déjà vu. I drove an NSX in 2017 at Pebble Beach, but my senses take me farther back, to the fall of 2014 when I drove a 1991 NSX. I had the same anticipation, nerves even, as I prepared for that drive. Getting situated in the 2020 model, I’m struck by the simplicity of the NSX. A McLaren or a Lambo take a minute to figure out, but everything is easy to read and use in the Acura. Like the ‘91 NSX, it looks striking on the outside, but the inside is almost plain. I’m OK with that. Simple works for Porsche, which will happily sell you a six-figure 911 with a spartan interior.

I’m underselling the NSX’s cabin — which is actually quite nice inside — understated yet cool. My tester has a black interior with carbon-fiber accents and semi-aniline leather seats with Alcantara, though the big steering wheel is the focal point. Looking to my right, the infotainment anchors the center stack, and there’s a knob for tuning the drive modes and the push-button gear selector. The outward visibility is outstanding. Driving a supercar can be intimidating, and being able to see things is helpful, especially when you’re inches off the ground.

I accelerate onto a surface street where the speed limit is 45 mph. There’s a low growl, and then the NSX gets a bit angrier. It’s never quite uncouth, even when the revs spin up on the expressway. It’s surprisingly gutsy low in the band, around 2,000-3,000 rpm, and the soundtrack gets louder and better from there. Anticipation building, I near the onramp to Interstate 75 in Detroit’s northern suburbs, where I run into cones. And blockades. Construction work is a staple of summer in Michigan. More time on the suburban slow road, and I find myself growing more comfortable in the NSX. Unlike the Lamborghini Huracán, Audi R8 or even some Mustangs, the Acura is civilized, docile even. It reminds me of my first time in that ‘91 NSX, where my nerves gave way to cockiness. The old NSX was so drivable, agreeable even, that I’ve long believed it made the cliché “everyday supercar” a real notion.

Acura tightened the suspension, retuned software for the Super Handling All-Wheel Drive and made the steering more responsive for the 2019 model. It feels more buttoned-up than the car I drove in Pebble Beach before these updates. There’s more feedback in the steering, which previously felt a little light. The Continental SportContact 6 tires provide plenty of grip. The brakes return stopping power with little pedal travel — not as immediate as McLarens I’ve tested, but more balanced for daily driving. This NSX is equipped with the optional carbon-ceramic rotors, which look great with the silver calipers visible through the gray Y-spoke wheels.

The other 2019 updates changed the grille accent to match the body color (it was silver before) and added gloss black trim in place of matte. Those sports seats I like so much and the tech package are now standard equipment.

The NSX is a striking car, especially in Valencia Red Pearl with the optional carbon-fiber elements, including the decklid spoiler, front chin spoiler, engine cover, rear diffuser and side sills. It’s beautiful, and in this shade it reminds me vaguely of recent mid-engine Ferraris. While I like the silhouette, the NSX is also a little angular and even busy, which is in contrast to the original NSX.

The expressway opens up as I make my way across town, sampling the driving modes. Sport mode is the basic setting, and Sport+ tightens up the chassis and makes the exhaust louder. I spend a decent amount of time in Quiet mode, which is actually all electric at speeds of less than 50 mph for brief periods. A couple of neighbors on bikes didn’t see me coming, then did triple takes trying to process what exactly was coming at them.

That stealthy capability belies the NSX’s raw power. Between the 3.5-liter V6 and electric motors, the NSX puts out 573 total horsepower and 476 pound-feet of torque, enabling sprints to 60 mph in 2.9 seconds en route to a top speed of 191 mph. The sequential paddle shifts summon all of this power into your fingertips, and pulling the paddles at high speeds while gripping the steering wheel with traffic parting gives even the novice performance driver a bit of a Senna streak.

The NSX is a car that you discover as you drive. There are layers to its personality. I learned a lot about the NSX, and Acura, simply by running errands. That’s not something every car gives you. Critics point to the “everyday supercar” label as a discredit, that the NSX is somehow watered down. It’s not. It’s cerebral yet passionate. What it lacks in flash it makes up for with a breadth of capability.

Let’s return to my original questions. How does the NSX compete against modern exotics, like Audi, McLaren, Ferrari and the like? It’s a peer. And that’s enough. It’s not the best of the bunch, but it’s competitive and interesting.

More weighty, how does the 2020 NSX measure up against the first generation? It does not break new ground in the way its predecessor did, which is not necessarily a demerit. When the New Sportscar eXperimental debuted in 1989, Ferrari and Lamborghini were making erratic cars that were at times as dangerous as they were exclusive. The notion of actually driving your supercar as I did on this bright Saturday was inadvisable. The NSX changed all of that. In that era there was room for improvement. Now the market is more mature, and even mainstream American brands like Chevy and Ford offer mid-engine performance.

It’s tough to compete against your younger self, but that’s not the point. The point is Acura chooses to make an NSX, and it’s excellent in the ways a modern supercar should aspire to be. The NSX crashed the party once. Now it’s simply accepted as part of the establishment.

September 14, 2020 / Comments Off

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Lucid Air and Maserati MC20 unveiled | Autoblog Podcast #644

In this week’s Autoblog Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Greg Migliore is joined by Associate Editor Byron Hurd. Before they get to the juicy news of the week, they chat about the cars they’ve been driving, including a Ford Mustang Shelby GT350R, Audi A6 Allroad, Mazda CX-9 and Kia Niro. It’s been a busy week in the news department, with GM investing in Nikola, Lucid Motors launching the Air electric sedan, Maserati unveiling the MC20 mid-engined supercar and a farewell to the Lexus GS. Then they talk about having a newfound respect for the Fox Body Mustang and the Mazda CX-9.

Autoblog Podcast #644

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September 11, 2020 / Comments Off

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Hennessey Performance is teasing a limited-edition pickup called the Mammoth 6×6

For a glimpse of some of the most jaw-dropping automotive builds, look no further because Hennessey Performance is where you want to go. We’ve seen their work on muscle cars, supercars, SUVs, and trucks among others. In the past, the shop already gave us several 6×6 behemoths that are nothing short of breathtaking. Now, it’s ready to impress yet again with another. This time, its naming the new project the Mammoth 6X6, which is fitting for the whats awaits lucky owners of this beast.

The donor vehicle is a 2021 Ram TRX, which, in its stock configuration is already one capable platform. It’s ships with a 6.2-liter HEMI V8 engine capable of 702 horsepower with 650 lb-ft of torque. Nevertheless, it does not seem enough for Hennessey Performance so out it goes. Instead, the team is slotting in a Mopar Hellephant power plant that will deliver a staggering 1,200 horsepower.

Of course, similar to its predecessor, the bed is getting an extension to accommodate the extra set of wheels. This 6-wheel drive behemoth should be able to handle all types of cargo without breaking a sweat. Aside from the aforementioned conversion, the Mammoth 6X6 is also kitted out with enhancements to match its menacing output.

Hennessey Performance is not stopping there. The front and rear bumpers of the Mammoth 6X6 get bespoke replacements. To help with low-light visibility. They’re also slapping on a set of LED lights that should match the overall aesthetics. Then there’s the off-road suspension to keep the everything smooth while driving, Finally, the interior will likewise get a bespoke treatment. Only three units will be available and each retails for $500,000.

Discover more about it: here

Images courtesy of Hennessey Performance

September 11, 2020 / Comments Off

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Caviar reworks Samsung’s Galaxy Note 20 Ultra with marble via its Eternity Collection

To think that Apple is supposedly overpricing its products. Last week, Samsung – competing against its rival – was recently launching a $1,999 smartphone. While regular people like us would find it too expensive for our tastes and budget, there are those who seek even more. Its exactly for that reason why companies such as Caviar Royal Gift exist in the first place. The Russian jeweler has been offering exclusive versions of popular handsets and the latest to get the luxury treatment is the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra.

Samsung is already selling an unlocked Galaxy Note 20 Ultra for $1,299.99 and $1,499.99 depending on the internal storage size. However, Caviar kicks it up a notch with its Eternity Collection that replaces the already premium construction with pricier alternatives. The material of choice is marble and is available in four exclusive variants each limited to only 99 examples globally:

Corning’s Gorilla Glass Victus makes its debut on the back panel of the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra. Nevertheless, it’s not stopping Caviar craftsmen from replacing it with the metamorphic rock. The models get their names from iconic structures around the world. These include the Forbidden City, St. Basil’s Cathedral, the Parthenon, and the Hagia Sophia.

To make it even more special, each one showcases engravings one can immediately associate with each respective heritage sites. All of the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra units from Caviar tout metal frameworks with rose gold electroplating. This magnificent series just one of many in the brand’s extensive catalog of high-end mobile phones intended its affluent clientele.

Exclusively available here

Images courtesy of Caviar Royal Gift

September 7, 2020 / Comments Off

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This F1 Simulator from Cranfield Simulation is a full-motion platform for racing fans

It is highly likely that automotive enthusiasts are likewise fans of motorsports. Additionally, they are also the same folks that absolutely love racing games or driving simulators. Thankfully, there is no shortage of peripherals that can make the experience even more immersive. Logitech and Thrustmaster are perhaps the most iconic brands when it comes to steering wheels, shifter knobs, and pedals. However, these pale in comparison to what Cranfield Simulation can offer with the F1 Simulator.

While a high-end steering wheel with force feedback can do a remarkable job mimicking the real thing. You can feel the vibrations and resistance that would emulate how the vehicle behaves on the road or the race track. Formula One cars are still considered the pinnacle of motorsport. In fact, many would give anything to fell what it’s like being in the cockpit of these powerful machines. Thankfully, Cranfield Simulation can make it happen in a sense for the right budget.

The company is offering the most robust and dynamic systems out there to configured to meet the buyer’s needs. For the F1 Simulator, there are three options available: Static, Full Motion, and Full Motion + G-Force. The basic package starts at about $34,000 with the top of the line setup costing as much as some high-performance supercars at $170,000.

Using Cranfield Motion Cueing technology, the range-topping F1 Simulator version can reproduce various sensations one can feel inside an automobile. It combines everything to give the user the most accurate representation of what an F1 driver feels during a race. The set already includes everything one needs to get started, so make sure that you have adequate space to house this massive monster.

Order it here

Images courtesy of Cranfield Simulation

September 7, 2020 / Comments Off

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Samsung delivers cinema-grade entertainment via The Premiere 4K laser projector

Among the business greatly affected by the pandemic lockdowns are the movie theaters and the studios that make the films. In order to adapt, many of the biggest entertainment companies have shifted their efforts to pay-per-view or streaming platforms. Therefore, those who crave the cinema vibe are likely in the market for devices that can emulate it. Thankfully, there’s no shortage of options available. For example, The Premiere from Samsung takes into account homes with limited spaces and still deliver an immersive experience.

The problem with most types of high-end projectors is the distance it needs to properly display the images on the screen or wall. If it’s positioned too closely, the size will be affected. Therefore, users who do not have an adequate area cannot enjoy its full potential.

Samsung, on the other hand, provides a simple solution that does not compromise visual quality. The Premiere is actually a short-throw model that can be set closer to the projector screen or surface. The Premiere is part of Samsung’s Lifestyle catalog of premium entertainment hardware.

So far, the South Korean outfit is giving us the picture frame-esque The Serif, the rotating The Sero, and the outdoor-ready The Terrace. These lineup of products sports features and looks that will blend with your home’s décor. In short, these are pricey pieces of consumer electronics.

Samsung is offering two variants of The Premiere: LSP9T and LSP7T. The Premiere is capable of up to a 130-inch projection and is apparently the world’s first HDR10+ certified projector with triple laser technology. Meanwhile, the latter is still impressive nonetheless with a projection size of up to 120 inches minus the brightness levels of the range-topping version.

Check out the press release: here

Images courtesy of Samsung

September 7, 2020 / Comments Off

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A Sneak Peek At The 2021 Rolls-Royce Ghost

Rolls-Royce Teases More Information About The New Ghost

In the build-up for releasing its all-new Ghost, Rolls-Royce is doing a masterful job of releasing just enough information to whet our appetites. The luxury car manufacturer recently revealed an illuminated fascia feature that looks like it’s going to be stellar, and we can’t wait to see the finished product.

The new feature is a follow-on of the sought-after Starlight Headliner that incorporates between 600 and 1340 hand-placed fiber optic lights in the car’s interior roof lining. The fascia expands on this starry night sky theme on the passenger side of the dashboard.

Designed to resemble a cluster of stars in space, the illuminated fascia results from 10,000 hours of hard work in two years. It uses 152 LEDs, light guides, and other materials to create the nameplate’s 850 stars. When off, the stars are invisible, but it creates an impressive night sky display on the car’s interior when activated. In addition to this dashboard feature, the Starlight Headliner will now include eight shooting stars in its design.

The British marque has kept quiet about almost everything else, which means that most of what has been written about the car that is soon to make its debut is educated guesswork.

This is our take on the Rolls-Royce Ghost.

From what we’ve seen so far, the 2021 Ghost will look similar to the outgoing model – at least from the outside. This will be one case where looks are deceiving because it will be entirely new, from the underpinnings up. We’ve got a feeling that the starry fascia is the tip of the proverbial iceberg and that the cabin of the new model will be far more luxurious than what we’ve seen previously.

Getting Under the Hood

Until now, the first and second-generation Ghosts used the same platform as the F01 BMW 7 Series. According to reports, Rolls-Royce confirmed that as many as 20% of the Ghost’s and the BMW’s parts are identical. That will change with the launch of the new Ghost, which gets a new platform of its own.

As far as the engine is concerned, it’s likely that the vehicle will be powered by a V-12 that surpasses the Cullinan SUV and Phantom. Both these models boast a 563 horsepower, 6.7-liter V-12, with 664 lb-ft of torque. The outgoing Ghost has a 6.6-liter V-12 modified from the BMW N74 V-12 and clocks in a top speed of 155 mph. However, even with a more powerful engine, the car is not a sports sedan. It remains a luxury ride, a powerful one, but a luxury ride nonetheless.

The manufacturer hasn’t said anything about the new Ghost’s fuel economy yet, but we wouldn’t be surprised if it will be in a similar league to the outgoing model, which travels 100 miles on 7.1 gallons of fuel.

A Cabin That’s Out of this World

The starry dashboard is the only clue to the new model’s interior that Rolls-Royce has given us. While some commentators think that the cabin’s interior will surpass the opulence we’ve seen before now, others believe that the manufacturer has gone in a post-opulent direction. The luxury will be there, but it will be understated rather than showy.

There is no question in our minds that the brand has used only the finest materials and will ensure the traveling experience will be indulgent for both driver and passengers. However, the ride will be dignified rather than pimped. We’re expecting to see massaging seats, fine leather, beautiful metal and wood accents, and a ridiculous amount of space. No doubt, the onboard entertainment will also be top-class.

The outgoing Ghost has some impressive safety features, and we think it’s highly likely that Rolls-Royce will take them up a notch in the new model. A few of the outgoing model features include Electronic Stability Control, Roll Stability Control, and forward-collision warning. Airbags and airbag occupancy sensors and a back-up camera come standard too, and satellite-assisted transmission is one of the driver-assist features. We suspect the new model will retain those features and will see the addition of others. Lane-keeping assistance, lane-departure warnings, adaptive cruise control, and automated emergency braking with sensors to detect pedestrians could all be integrated.

Rolls-Royce hasn’t skimped on connectivity or infotainment in previous models, so the new Ghost is likely to have features that will make our jaws drop. The outgoing model gave rear-seat passengers the ability to use the navigation system and control the radio from the dual-screen entertainment system. We expect to see more of the same, as well as the addition of features such as Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and a Wi-Fi hotspot.

Previous models of the car have come with a four-year warranty and unlimited mileage maintenance package. We expect that the same will be in place with this vehicle.

A Ghostly History

The original Ghost made its debut at the Geneva Motor Show in 2009, when it was unveiled as the Rolls-Royce 200EX. In the same year at the Frankfurt Motor Show, the vehicle was named the Ghost in honor of the manufacturer’s Silver Ghost, a car first produced in 1906. The Ghost was designed to be a smaller version of the brand’s Phantom, making it something of an entry-level car – for those who can afford it.

After BMW licensed the rights to the brand name in 1998, the production of Rolls-Royce cars shifted into high gear. The manufacturer introduced its premium style and manufacturing precision that is now seen in cars like the BMW M4. In 2014, the Series II Ghost was introduced at the Geneva Motor Show, featuring various changes inside and out. A tapered wake channel was added to the bonnet, the front air intakes were enlarged and had chrome inserts added, and the headlights were given a sculpted makeover. The interior saw new seat designs and re-angled rear seats, the clock fascia and instrument dials embellished with polished chaplets, and natural grain leather for the A and C pillars. Series II also included new rear hydraulic axle bearings, re-designed front and rear struts, new steering gear, and adjusted dampers.

There’s no doubt in our minds that the new Rolls-Royce Ghost will be a thing of beauty and luxury. Like its predecessor, it’s sure to deliver a luxurious driving experience that inspires greatness and creates an everlasting expression of the exceptional.

Images courtesy of Rolls-Royce

September 3, 2020 / Comments Off

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Henrik Fisker interview, and driving the Polestar 2 | Autoblog Podcast #643

In this week’s Autoblog Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Greg Migliore is joined by Senior Editor, Green, John Beltz Snyder. They’ve been driving the updated 2021 Honda Odyssey, the 2020 Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 and the new Polestar 2 electric sedan. After reviewing those, they talk about how the Chrysler 300 appears to be withering on the vine. Next, they take time to talk to legendary automotive designer and eponymous Chairman & CEO of Fisker Inc., Mr. Henrik Fisker himself, about jeans, horses and, of course, electric cars. Finally, they help a listener pick a $100,000 supercar in the “Spend My Money” segment.