The next-generation NSX chassis, consistent with the Sport Hybrid SH-AWD powertrain and Multi-Material body, combines fundamental concepts in sports car design with advanced new technologies to elevate and enhance the NSX driving experience.
Anchored to the vehicle’s ultra-rigid aluminum-intensive space frame and industry-first ablation cast frame nodes, the NSX’s sophisticated all-aluminum front and rear suspension systems—augmented by third-generation active magnetorheological (MR) damper technology, dual-pinion variable gear ratio electric power steering (EPS) system, and electro-mechanical sports brakes—elevate the NSX’s dynamic capabilities and responses to driver inputs while supporting the breakthrough capabilities of its Sport Hybrid SH-AWD system.
Deceleration capability is enhanced with a next-generation electro-servo braking system that combines the effectiveness of a mechanical (friction) braking system that utilizes large ventilated rotors and aluminum brake calipers with the efficiency of a seamlessly integrated regenerative braking system.
Suspension
One of the key traits that set the original Acura NSX apart from its contemporaries was its novel use of a finely-tuned aluminum suspension. The NSX team went back to the fundamentals to design the next-generation NSX’s lightweight all-aluminum, fully independent front and rear suspension system.
Utilizing lightweight yet rigid aluminum alloy components at all four corners, the NSX’s suspension keeps unsprung weight to a minimum while retaining component stiffness for instant and accurate response. Designed to work seamlessly with the advanced electric power steering system, the optimized tuning of the NSX’s steering and suspension systems allow for both nimble responses at low speeds, coupled with superlative high-speed stability.
Front Suspension
The all-aluminum front suspension has been optimized with compact and lightweight components and suspension geometry developed for superior handling performance, crisp and communicative on-center steering feel and excellent stability. Specifics include:
- All-aluminum, forged double wishbone/cast aluminum knuckle design
- Double ball joint lower control arm to mitigate torque disturbance from the front Twin-Motor Unit (TMU) torque vectoring
- No unwanted steering kickback
- Third-generation active MR dampers
Rear Suspension
Featuring lightweight all-aluminum components, the rear suspension employs a sophisticated independent multi-link design. Specifics include:
- All-aluminum, forged multi-link/cast aluminum knuckle design
- High lateral rigidity
- Third-generation active MR dampers
Front suspension
Rear suspension
Active Magnetorheological (MR) Dampers
Making use of Acura-tuned third-generation magnetorheological (MR) dampers in place of conventional shock absorbers, the NSX’s highly advanced suspension essentially acts as a continuously adaptive “active” system that can adjust damping forces in a fraction of a second, instantaneously adapting to the driving situation, driver inputs and road conditions.
The new third-generation MR damper technology offers the widest range of damping force and the fastest response for maximum handling capability and ride quality in all driving conditions. The reservoir within each of the NSX’s MR dampers is filled with a special magnetorheological (MR) fluid that contains microscopic metallic particulate. Running an electric current to each MR damper creates a magnetic field within the fluid that causes an instantaneous change in the fluid properties and resulting change in damping force.
While many active dampers make use of a an internal valve-based technology to vary the damping force, the Acura MR dampers utilize a valve-less design that offers a much broader range of damping force and more rapid response.
The lightning-quick response rate and superior damping properties allow the NSX to make optimum use of a high-performance tire design and low-profile sidewall while still providing comfortable ride quality.
The MR dampers also function as a component of Integrated Dynamics System via two unique damper tuning settings—one biased toward unsprung mass control, used for Quiet and Sport modes; and a second with optimized performance tuning biased toward sprung mass control, used for Sport+ and Track modes.
Wheels and Tires
The Acura NSX chassis design and engineering team has configured a bespoke wheel and tire package that extracts optimal performance from the platform, not only in lateral grip but in every element of driving performance including acceleration and braking.
The standard wheel design package for the new NSX includes lightweight Y-spoke forged aluminum alloy wheels wrapped in Continental Conti-Sport Contact 5P tires (245/35ZR19 front; 305/30ZR20 rear) developed jointly with Continental specifically for the NSX. This tire package strikes an excellent balance between high performance and everyday drivability, offering high levels of traction in both wet and dry conditions.
The unique “Y” wheel design is a result of the NSX engineering team’s extensive research to find the strongest and most rigid spoke structure with the least amount of material. Forged in high-strength aluminum, the wheel design offers a lower total weight than any wheels of similar size and material composition within the NSX’s competitive class.
An optional factory-installed wheel set utilizes a stylish thin interwoven wheel spoke design featuring a machined/polished, fully polished, or fully painted finish.
Y-Spoke wheel design
Optional Interwoven wheel
Both wheel packages feature staggered fitment to optimize chassis performance, the front wheels measuring 19 x 8.5J, with wider 20 x 11J wheels at the back.
The NSX comes standard with high performance summer tires; ultimate handling performance tires for track day outings are optionally available.
Electric Power Steering (EPS)
The NSX’s sophisticated electric power-assisted rack-and-pinion-based steering system (EPS) responds instantaneously to steering input and automatically adjusts to deliver the appropriate level of power assist in all driving situations, exhibiting many advantages over an engine-driven hydraulic-based steering system:
- Reduced weight and improved packaging due to its compactness and fewer components—no hydraulic fluid, pump, fluid storage tank or hydraulic fluid lines/hoses
- Reduced levels of noise and vibration without the hydraulic system
- Improved fuel efficiency with no parasitic drag from an engine-driven power steering pump
“It was a huge challenge to create a lively and communicative Electric Power Steering (EPS) for the driver that would be truly worthy of a next-generation Acura NSX,” said Chris Dundon, chassis design project leader. “But by optimizing the mechanical components within the system, plus careful tuning of the software, we were able to achieve our goal of delivering highly responsive steering with outstanding driver feel.”
The NSX electric power steering (EPS) system utilizes a variable gear ratio. When on center, the ratio is tuned for optimal high speed control and stability. Off center, the gear ratio becomes progressively quicker for improved turn-in and maneuverability at low and mid speeds while minimizing the need for hand-over-hand motions.
The addition of a motor-assisted second pinion to the EPS system more precisely assists with turning force and steering assistance based on a number of factors—engine speed/electric motor torque from the Sport Hybrid power unit, steering angle, vehicle speed, steering force and EPS steering maps/algorithms—leading to improved steering feel and feedback for the driver.
Dual-pinion electronic power rack pinion steering system
Like the MR damper suspension system, the NSX features two distinct EPS steering settings—one for the Quiet/Sport modes and another for Sport+/Track modes of the Integrated Dynamics System—with tuning adjusted to deliver an increased level of acuity and performance for an even greater degree of driver feedback by reducing steering assist based on vehicle speed and steering angle for the more performance-oriented Sport+ and Track driving modes.
Next-Generation Super Sports Brakes
The NSX’s next-generation braking system—combining conventional mechanical (friction) with an advanced electro-servo system and regenerative braking—inspires confidence in every driving situation thanks to the highly communicative brake pedal feel and linear, virtually fade-free brake performance.
Of high importance was developing a regenerative braking system that blends seamlessly with the NSX’s conventional brake system, with exceptional brake pedal feel and predictable stopping performance.
Regenerative Braking
By supplementing the high-performance mechanical (friction) braking system with regenerative braking, the NSX captures “free” electricity and feeds it back into the lithium-ion battery pack. Unlike many such systems, the NSX blends this capability in a seamless and effective way, resulting in intuitive brake pedal feel with superb feedback.
Regenerative braking begins as soon as the driver releases the throttle pedal to maximize lithium-ion battery recharging during normal driving.
Electro-Servo Brake System (ESB)
The electro-servo braking system has been designed and developed through rigorous testing to provide the driver with superb feedback and intuitive brake pedal feel in all conditions. This allows drivers to finely modulate braking force in any condition—from low speed city traffic, to flat out track driving.
The high degree of brake pedal feel is achieved through precise pressure control by the electro-servo brake (ESB); the operation of the ESB is then finely tuned to deliver consistent and proper brake pedal feel for each of the drive mode settings of the Integrated Dynamic System.
Importantly, the brake pedal feel remains consistent and predictable across the four different drive mode settings of the Integrated Dynamic System whether in city or highway conditions, or driving all-out on the race track.
Brake System Components
The high-performance Brembo braking system features large six-piston calipers with 14.5-inch, two-piece iron and aluminum ventilated brake rotors up front, and four-piston calipers with 14.0-inch, two-piece iron and aluminum ventilated rotors at the rear. All calipers are of an aluminum mono block design, which provides even pressure distribution across the surface of the brake rotor with outstanding heat dissipation and excellent rigidity. The two-piece iron and aluminum rotors provide consistent brake pad-to-rotor surface contact with high heat capacity and cooling efficiency. Additionally, this two-piece rotor configuration allows for much greater thermal expansion compared to a one-piece design.
Standard iron rotor brake system
Optional cross-drilled carbon ceramic rotors
An ultra-high-performance carbon ceramic brake rotor package (15.0-inch rotors up front/14.0-inch rear), available as a factory option, offers a substantial reduction in weight, saving nearly 52 pounds (23.5 kg) over the standard brake package along with improved fade performance in high stress conditions, such as track sessions. The package includes a choice of three different brake caliper color options: red, black or silver (see Options Colors for additional detail).
Optimized Brake Cooling
Through extensive research and development, optimal brake cooling has been achieved as an integral part of the NSX’s advanced aerodynamic design. Even under the high stress scenario of extended track drives, front and rear brake cooling is always robust, providing consistent deceleration capability, brake pedal feel and superb vehicle stability.
Typically, effective brake cooling at the rear of a mid-engine vehicle is difficult due to component packaging, and the proximity of the engine and transmission and the heat they generate. Rear brake cooling on the NSX is enhanced by the innovative use of the NSX’s rear sub-frame where two air duct paths have been designed into the hollow structure. Air passing through the sub-frame is precisely directed to the rear brakes, using specially tuned air deflectors located on the rear suspension arms. Thanks to this clever piece of engineering, rear brake performance is further optimized to support both everyday and at-the-limit driving performance.
Powertrain Mounting System
With the newly designed twin-turbocharged V-6 engine, special consideration was given to how the powertrain—engine, Direct Drive Motor, 9-speed dual clutch transmission and differential—is secured to the chassis in order to achieve outstanding dynamic properties while producing the lowest levels of noise and vibration.
The solution was to create an engine cradle system that combines hydraulic engine mounts with a rigid aluminum sub-frame plate that simultaneously supports the engine while acting as a vibration and noise inhibitor. Powertrain mounts are ideally located—with an axis that passes through the powertrain’s center of gravity—to minimize pitch and roll movement of the powertrain mass. Testing and analysis demonstrated that this novel configuration provides notably improved vehicle handling performance while exceeding targeted NVH levels.
Engine/transaxle mounting positions
Fuel Tank
Finding the shape and placement of the fuel tank for best weight distribution and low center of gravity was a difficult design task, especially when taking into consideration protection in the event of a rear-end collision. The solution was a design using twin tanks composed of a specialized resin material. That allowed for tremendous flexibility in the shape of the fuel tanks for optimal packaging and enhanced safety performance. The tanks are centrally located between the engine and the IPU, which is behind the rear bulkhead.
Fuel tank placement in front of engine helps centralize weight
and minimize handling changes with varied fuel levels.