2016 Honda NSX - Q&A with Ted Klaus, project boss

How much does this car even attempt to live up to the reputation of the first NSX?

If you look at the first-generation NSX, the purpose of that car is still the same one that we’ve been working towards. The human should not have to conform to the machine. It should be the everyday supercar.

Does that mean it’s softer than many of its rivals?

It means that the performance is focused on real roads. If you take that and the desire to not force the human to conform to the car, the vehicle dynamics happen pretty naturally. As an example of this, the SH-AWD system helps on turn-in on your favourite road, but it also phases the electric motors to stabilise the car when you change direction on a highway.

Read the road and track review of the 2016 Honda NSX

What’s the main benefit of having the electric motor-based SH-AWD system?

We’ve been continually developing torque transfer technologies like SH-AWD over the years. But I think the third generation of the system - electrified SH-AWD - has allowed us to jump above the line and make a bigger step than if we’d stuck with conventional technology. The magic is how it responds immediately; that’s the first thing that hits me and it’s what gives the car its lightweight feel.

Does the hybrid angle pose opportunities or problems?

We need to be clear on where the NSX stands. We’re way clear of something like a Ferrari 458 on efficiency, but we’re not in the same ballpark as something like a plug-in hybrid saloon. The battery in the NSX is actually quite small - around 1kWh - but it’s designed to aid performance rather than providing large range, so it’s good at discharging and recharging very quickly.

Supercars are a bit of a numbers game. Aren’t you worried that the NSX will simply look outgunned?

I take you back to the phrase ‘Everyday supercar’. We’re trying to bring back the NSX based on those values. The original NSX was a hard car to explain in numbers and so is this generation. But we’re comfortable enough with that.

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