qu , Bene WHO TO CALL: Auto Editor Andrew McCredie 985-2131 (147) . Aad EEA NA REAR OLR ELT BN a FIVE YEARS ago Honda’s 2. sports/luxury car division, Acura, joined the ranks of’ ” exotic sports car makers Ferrari and Lamborghini . with the introduction of the mid-engined NSX. ©“ Like its European competitors, the NSX is designed much like a racing car. The driver and passenger sit well forward in the body with the’ ‘engine placed transversely behind - : the cockpit, ahead of the rear wheels “—= a layout that provides optimum © balance and handling characteristics: ~’ And like other mid-engined cars, the NSX has a fully independent double wishbone suspension, a low ‘center of gravity, and enormous disc ‘ brakes with a four-channel ABS sys- tem. - i In other respects, the NSX i is “unique: “4! Birstly, it ‘has an all-alumminum ‘body, chassis and Suspension. ¢ “Aluminum is lighter than steel and “just as strong, providing the NSX ~ with an excellent power-to-weight » ratio.” ful 3.0 litre DOHC 24-valve:-V6: “engine. With 270 horsepower (252 horsepower with the automiatic | #: Tocket from 0 to 100 kmh i in just” - 6,1 seconds. The 3.0 litre engine uses variable valve timing, and air induction, a. “high compression ratio, and a high’ 8000 rp tm. redline to achieve i its Secondly, the NSX makes use of * comparatively small, but still power- { transmission), the 1425 kg NSX will pes eae 7 4 A LOS CXR SER ERSTE ain Sas CARALEL SE Sse i eR ACTS oy Staton aoe a ye THE 1995 Acura NSX-T. features 2 a new, removable targa top, larger wheals, an automatic trans- mission that can be ‘shifted manually, and a drive-by-wire throttle system. Check one out ait _ Burrard Acura. ‘unusually high output. The NSX is an easy car to drive. ’ The engine is comparatively docile at slower speeds, the five-speed manual shifter has short, quick throws, clutch action is light, the steézing is power-assisted, and the disc brakes are easy to modulate. In addition, outward visibility is very gocd, a common drawback with mid-engine cars. You could say that the NSX is . the first user-friendly exotic car, '. though some may argue this takes “ away from the character of a dedi- ‘cated performance car. For 1995, the NSX-T has a new removeable targa top which stores behind the driver. The 9-kg alu- minum panel can be lifted off by - one person: ‘ However, it takes two. people to place it in the compart- ment because the cover won’t stay in an upright position. With the top off at freeway : speeds, there is surprisingly litle ‘wind buffeting, and the open top — ANNUAL aN ‘COMPANY CAR ~ CHANGE OVER SALE gives the NSX-T*s small cockpit a more open feeling. Considerable stiffening of the body structure was required to maintain body rigidity with the roof temoved. a Another new feature on the. NSX-T is Acura’s Sport Shift auto- matic transmission, Like Porsche's Tiptronic S, the Sport Shift allows the driver to choose completely automatic operation or ‘manual’ shifting, With the floor shifter in the *3/M’ position, the driver nudges © a lever on the steering column up to shift up, and down to shift down... Shifts take less than half a second, and there’s no clutch involved. If the driver forgets to shift, the - transmission will shift automatically at redline, or when the driver backs off on the accelerator pedal. tO One advantage of the steering wheel-mounted shifter is that the. Air Conditioning. No Charge. No Sweat. ACURA INTEGRA RS SEDAN , with ne-chatge air conditioning. _ Staring from: © ~ $20,695 Act Now. LIMITED T IME OFFER. TECHNICAL DATA Type: 2-door, 2 passenger coupe Torque: 210 ft-lbs @.5300 rp.m. Transmission: 5 speed manual (4 speed auto/man) : Wheelbase: 2530 mm (99.6 in.) Length: 4425 mm (174.2 in.) Width: 1810 mm (71.3 in.) ‘ Height: 1170 mm (46.1 in.) Fuel consumption: | City: : 12.9 V100 km (21 m.pg.); Hwy: 9.0 1/100 km (31 m.p.g.) Warranty: Basic 3 yrx/60,000 km Major components 5 yrs/100,000 km driver doesn’t have to take their right hand off the steering wheel to _ change gears, something that’s par- ticularly important when comering and changing gears at the same time. Another advantage of this type of transmission is that it can be "switched over to automatic mode. when driving in busy stop and go city traffic. There are two other technical . innovations on the 1995 NSX-T: an electric power-assisted steering sys- tem, and a “drive-by-wire’ throttle; Also new is an electronic traction control system which cuts back on engine power when it detects lost traction in the rear driving wheels. - For 1995, the NSX comes as a, targa-top only with a suggested retail price of $110,000 -- $20,000 more than last year’s coupe! - But, believe it or not, that’s : cheap by exotic car standards.. The cheapest Ferrari, the F355, starts at $162,000. ; . Better buy that lottery ticket... aa For a limited time, get no-charge air conditioning in a car that already ’ defines cool luxury. With its responsive 1.8L, 142 hp, DOHC engine combined with the precision of independent double-wishbone : suspens sion, the Acura Integra RS Sedan is a thrill to drive. Add ‘AM/FM » Stereo cassette, power windows, standard driver's and pas: Senger "s side air bags, and you "ve got the makings of a car you'll find absolutely refreshing. So hurry in to your Acura ‘dealer today. : oe PS, Ask About Our “Spaciai Edition’, Coupes & Sedans Coe Bee TRAE uge (68890 » ACURA ‘Designed with purpase. _Diiven by passion.