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Honda NSX Chassis Designer Takes Over Honda

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wrx-tyrannosaurusWrx
07/09/09

In reply to Honda NSX Chassis Designer Takes Over Honda
Soichiro would approve.
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brandegee
07/09/09

In reply to Honda NSX Chassis Designer Takes Over Honda
Let's hope Mr. I behaves a lot like Mr. K.
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Dhillaz 2.0
07/09/09

In reply to Honda NSX Chassis Designer Takes Over Honda
Speaking of NSX chassis: I've seen a few NSX before, but have never seen a Challenger in real life, and I always thought it was a tidy-looking car. However, when I saw this image I understand why everyone calls it fat:
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pauljones
07/09/09

@Dhillaz has tainted love for DMC: Holy crap batman. That really does give you a serious sense of scale. I'll take the one in white on the left, please.
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something_unique_and_descriptive
07/09/09

@Dhillaz has tainted love for DMC: Yeah, when you see it in pictures it's not too bad. When you see it in person it looks like a fricken whale.
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ThreeLitre
07/09/09

@Dhillaz 2.0: Yep. the first time I saw a charger it was coming at me and I said, damn that looks good.

And as it drove by and I turned my head I said, but damn baby got some junk in the trunk...
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philibuster
07/09/09

@Dhillaz 2.0: It's as if someone took the NSX and shrunk it in photoshop by 20%. Model bloat fail.
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jbownsabmw- Koopas Beware
07/09/09

In reply to Honda NSX Chassis Designer Takes Over Honda
I hope he pulls all the exclusivity money out of Indy cars and puts it back toward formula one. Both series would be better off.
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mr_dude
07/09/09

In reply to Honda NSX Chassis Designer Takes Over Honda
We didn't gain a CEO-enthusiast, we lost a chassis designer.
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something_unique_and_descriptive
07/09/09

@mr_dude: I fear you may be correct.

I don't know how much control the CEO position actually wields at Honda but I'm guessing it's nowhere near what Piech had at VAG.
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mr_dude
07/09/09

@something_unique_and_descripti...: Shareholders, beancounters, bottom line, market research. It all spells woe for us and him.

Maybe if they get profitable off the boring cars he'll get a pet project akin to Piech's 917 or Veyron. Spoomugen NSX-S Type R GTO.
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pauljones
07/09/09

In reply to Honda NSX Chassis Designer Takes Over Honda
Isn't this the second time in less than a year that someone has been ousted from the Honda High Control Chair?
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NewbiusMaximus
07/09/09

@pauljones: Not sure what you mean, but no. Takeo Fukui, the past president, has been at the reigns for quite a while. Ito's promotion to CEO/president is a changing of the guard (which Honda does once every couple of years)
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pauljones
07/09/09

@NewbiusMaximus: I think that I may have been bunching both Toyota and Honda into one.

My mistake.
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.357
07/09/09

In reply to Honda NSX Chassis Designer Takes Over Honda
This could be very good news. Just imagine what this could do. NSX comeback...
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mwood10
07/09/09

@.357: This could also be very bad news. He's clearly a talented engineer, but that may not translate into being an effective CEO. We should at least get some good cars out of it before Honda ceases to exist.
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.357
07/09/09

@mwood10: I'm fine with that.
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NCassara
07/09/09

@.357: One can only hope for the NSX's comeback being such a great / technologically advanced auto; too bad they've canceled all their latest redesigns. But maybe Ito will in fact be responsible for / oversee the next tier of Honda motorsports. Let's hope!
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Bret
07/09/09

In reply to Honda NSX Chassis Designer Takes Over Honda
This is really good news. Honda lost its mojo after the passing of Soichiro Honda. I always likened Mr. Honda to Enzo Ferrari in that he built cars out of a passion for excellence (and racing) rather than out of a passion for excellent sales. The current Honda lineup (save a few examples) seems more engineered to salesworthiness than to being fun products.

Let's hope Mr. Ito is able to balance the need for a good sales report with the need for innovative fun-to-drive cars.
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NewbiusMaximus
07/09/09

@Bret: That's not really true. The Type-Rs and the S2000 came out AFTER Soichiro Honda's death.
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Bret
07/09/09

@NewbiusMaximus:Those are specifically the examples I was referring to when I typed "(save a few examples)".

Sadly, after Soichiro's death we saw model bloat and design compromise (remember the loss of Civic wishbones?) that made many of the Honda faithful jump ship.
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engineerd
07/09/09

In reply to Honda NSX Chassis Designer Takes Over Honda
Former NSX design engineer takes over Honda. Family scion takes over Toyota. Government takes over GM.

Which one would you put your money on?
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pauljones
07/09/09

@engineerd: Studebaker.
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Deartháir II
07/09/09

@pauljones: C'mere, son, there's something I need to tell you that could break your heart...
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pauljones
07/09/09

@Deartháir - Now with more Unemployment™!: Michael Jackson is dead?
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engineerd
07/09/09

@pauljones: That's not funny. Michael Jackson is alive, somewhere, with Tupac. No, I think he was going to tell you about the Easter Bunny.
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pauljones
07/09/09

@engineerd: And Elvis. Don't forget Elvis.
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FightingChance
07/09/09

In reply to Honda NSX Chassis Designer Takes Over Honda
Uh oh, new commenting system in effect.

Anyway, first order of business - convert all Honda cars to NSX chassis and layout. Think of the savings in stamping costs!
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eggwich del fiero
07/09/09

In reply to Honda NSX Chassis Designer Takes Over Honda
It's nice to see that one of the guys responsible for That One Honda I Really Like is taking the reins. I hope he's a performance enthusiast and a shooting brake fanatic.
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Dhillaz 2.0
07/09/09

@eggwich del fiero ttt!: I think most car fans love shooting brakes...but it's those damn focus groups and 'marketability' that take all our fun.
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Clashtastic misses Jalopnik 1.0
07/09/09

In reply to Honda NSX Chassis Designer Takes Over Honda
Honda used to build great motors, and great chassis, simple, and with the exception of a few, boring cars that drove pretty well. Honda MOTOR company as of late has been losing its way... as a hardcore Ford fan, there were a few Honda's that I would legitimately desire, and respect their engineering genius. Today, there are zero Honda's in production that I want, or that 'wow' me with their engineering brilliance.
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engineerd
07/09/09

@Blueovalkid formerly known as Clashtastic now...: I agree. The last Honda I really desired was the S2000.
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Clashtastic misses Jalopnik 1.0
07/09/09

@engineerd: Always wanted an S2000, mmm F20C. I hate Japanese cars with a passion, but Honda engineered some things that I just couldn't help but respect and want.
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pauljones
07/09/09

@Blueovalkid formerly known as Clashtastic now...: That's how I have generally felt about them, as well.

I never really much cared for them, but then I got a chance to drive an S2000, and I was totally sold. While I would still probably take Mustang GT or a Camaro SS over the S2000, I walked away with a very healthy respect for Honda.
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raubtier
07/09/09

In reply to Honda NSX Chassis Designer Takes Over Honda
Great news! This is one of those cars I wish they'd kept trucking. I may be unpopular (or not, who the hell knows?) but as far as EVOLUTIONARY designing goes, the Japanese have a lot to learn from the Americans. Quality and performance are obviously inferior but when it comes to taking inspiration from the past and realizing it beautifully (visually at least) domestics are the king. For the love of god revive the NSX moniker and leave it mid engined, light, and make it look like it belongs in blade runner. Please Honda. Also revive the CRX.
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ThreeLitre
07/09/09

@raubtier: This is a really good point actually. Part of the reason the NSX was such a success is that it was such a genuine advancement for the industry. To make a 'new NSX', Honda is going to have to come up with another revolution. Anyone can make a sub 4 second supercar, and more are able to do it reliably these days. So what is the new X factor that would make a real 'new NSX'?
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Syrax
07/09/09

@ThreeLitre:
Fly.

Congrats on the star BTW!
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Edited by Syrax at 07/09/09 2:36 PM Syrax was starred Syrax was unstarred

ThreeLitre
07/09/09

@Syrax: Or amphibious.

muchas gracias, btw!
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Leeeeena the Jalopchick
07/09/09

In reply to Honda NSX Chassis Designer Takes Over Honda
Hopefully the Toyobaru sports car will be just the kick in the pants this guy needs to develop something really crazy. Honda, like Toyota, may have lost their way a bit in recent years (to us driving fanatics, at least), but I have faith they can easily reapply their knowledge and come up with something incredible.
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Super Traction Engine
07/09/09

@Leeeeena - 1000 Club: Like a rear wheel drive car? That's what I want for Christmas.
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ThreeLitre
07/09/09

@Leeeeena - 1000 Club: It is a bit disappointing having both the NSX and the S2000 gone these days.

But I feel like this is a hugely pleasant surprise. Having a supercar designer in charge of a company that we know can make great cars is music to my ears.

Mr. Takanobu - please make a new NSX. The people who could afford it, are still able to afford it. Trust me.
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Edited by ThreeLitre at 07/09/09 2:00 PM ThreeLitre was starred ThreeLitre was unstarred

mr_dude
07/09/09

@Super Traction Engine: Isn't not having a rwd car a bannable offense here?
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ThreeLitre
07/09/09

@mr_dude: haha, no man.
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mr_dude
07/09/09

@ThreeLitre: Oh well, STE gets grandfathered in, but somebody put that in the EULA. This ain't Understeerlopnik.
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sandbeige
07/09/09

In reply to Honda NSX Chassis Designer Takes Over Honda
The Accord wagon for the US is a good start...
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