OVERVIEW
A rigid structure is of paramount importance in a performance
car.
High rigidity provides a stable platform for proper suspension
geometry and alignment, and it makes possible a tight,
rattle-free
interior. A lightweight structure greatly enhances the car's
power-to-weight ratio. As a rule, a very light car can achieve high
performance levels with less horsepower. After an intensive
research
effort, it was determined that the most efficient way to meet the
rigidity and weight targets for the NSX was to build the body
exclusively of aluminum.
Using a Cray supercomputer, the engineers performed millions of Finite Element Modeling (FEM) and stress analysis calculations. The result of this research and development effort is a unit body structure that weighs approximately 462 lb (210 kg) with doors, hood and deck lids installed - about 40 percent less than a steel unit, but with the same rigidity and impact protection. The NSX structure is significantly stiffer than most of its competitors.
Key body parts are made with 6000 series aluminum alloy that is up to 50 percent stronger than other similar alloys, thus requiring less material to perform effectively. The doors, fenders, front and rear deck lids, and other key parts of the NSX are made from this material. For example, by using this high-strength alloy, thinner door skin material netted a 4.9 lb (2.2 kg) weight reduction without any sacrifice in strength.
All NSXs feature a removable aluminum roof panel that can be easily stowed under the rear glass hatch as standard equipment.
NSX BODY REINFORCEMENTS
To maintain high rigidity, extensive reinforcement measures are
employed throughout the body. These reinforcements include a
side
sill aluminum-extrusion design with thick wall sections. Other
reinforced areas include the base of the B-pillar where it joins
the
rocker panel, a larger rear bulkhead crossbar and a thick trunk
leading-edge panel. In addition, generous wall sections can be
found
in a reinforcement web in the rear floor cross member, and
there's a
strengthening rib in the center rear bulkhead section, a
redesigned
and thicker walled rear roof-rail section. Robust A-pillars and
front
and rear roof rails also contribute to body rigidity.
EXTRUDED ALUMINUM SIDE SILLS
To attain a structure of high rigidity, complex aluminum
extrusions
were used for the crucial side sills of the unit body. These
extrusions, with their carefully braced internal structure contribute
to the extremely high torsional stiffness of the NSX.
RADIUS FRONT FRAME RAILS
To help maximize occupant protection, the front frame rails of the
unit body are designed with large-radius curves where they meet
the
passenger cabin. This design helps to dissipate energy in the
event
of a collision, spreading out impact loads and diverting them
under
the passenger cell.
XENON HIGH INTENSITY DISCHARGE (HID)
HEADLIGHTS
The NSX features projector-type Xenon High Intensity Discharge
(HID)
low beam headlights. Three times as efficient as conventional
halogen
lamps, the Acura HID system uses less energy, with more than
double
the bulb life. Luminosity increases by 132 percent over halogen
lights. The increased beam width eliminates the need for
separate fog
lights. The NSX's high beams use conventional halogen bulbs
and
operate in conjunction with the HID lights.
COLOR PALATE
The 2003 NSX comes in the following body colors, Long Beach
Blue
Pearl, New Ioma Orange Pearl, Grand Prix White, New Formula
Red, Spa
Yellow Pearl, Silverstone Metallic, and Berlina Black. Each of
these
colors can be matched to a corresponding interior color for a
personalized look or ordered with a conventional tan or black
leather
interior.