Three years (on top of the three-plus we’ve already waited) is a long time to wait for the second coming of the Acura NSX. Measured in Internet time, it’s an infinite opportunity for speculation about the whys and hows of the new car. Aside from the new supercar’s hybrid powertrain, the most shocking part of the announcement is that the car will be built in Ohio. Honda has an engine plant, a transmission plant, two assembly plants and a research and development center in the state, so this shouldn’t be treated with the same level of surprise as if, say, Ferrari announced it would start building cars in Kansas.

Yet it’s still a big change for the exotic Acura, which was manufactured in Japan during its entire first-generation lifecycle, from 1990-2005. When the NSX debuted, part of its appeal was that it represented the pinnacle of Japanese technology and quality, at a time when Japanese automakers were absolutely crushing the competition in both. Times have changed, but we still suspect that a number of fanboys might be disappointed that the second-generation NSX will be built by gaijin.

We spoke with American Honda CEO and president Tetsuo Iwamura about the decision to develop and manufacture the NSX here in the U.S., and he told us that the decision was made for three reasons. The first is that Honda is committed to building cars in the market in which they are sold. The U.S. is the largest market for the NSX, although he said the car will be exported to Japan and other markets.

When asked if there was any concern that Japanese customers might have objections to a Japanese supercar built in the U.S., Iwamura said, “You don’t have to be so modest. American-built cars have a power, even in Japan.”

The second factor was that Honda has had positive experiences with product development of other models here in the States. Iwamura specifically mentioned the North American market-only Pilot and Odyssey as examples. The third reason for the decision to build the NSX here is that Honda believes its Ohio manufacturing facilities produce high-quality products and wants to take advantage of that expertise. Iwamura also said that assigning the halo car to the U.S. would be motivational for its American employees.

Currency fluctuation, however, was not a consideration, according to the Honda chief. While he said that would indeed be the case with a mass-market model, the limited-production nature of the NSX makes the effect of a strong yen a moot point. Regardless of where its built, Iwamura said the main consideration in bringing the NSX back to market is its technology, quality and performance, just as the original did. The NSX is an important part of modern automotive history, a literal poster-child of the ’90s, so we’re certainly rooting for this new exotic Buckeyemobile to deliver on all fronts.

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Why is the Acura NSX being built in Ohio? [w/poll] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 10 Jan 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hot on the tail of the music video for Sharam’s “Fun” comes word that an advertising agency will attempt to recreate the chase scene from Bullitt in downtown San Francisco once again. According to SF Appeal, Duroo Productions, Inc. is set to film a spot for a Korean-based movie theater chain hoping to strut its new 4D movie experience. From the sound of things, the city’s financial district will see its fair share of car chases and gun play with actors firing blanks at each other. San Francisco’s film commission is warning individuals in the area not to be alarmed or call the police if they hear a commotion.

The action is taking place today on Montgomery, Bush, Sansome, Sutter, Pine, Washington and Clay streets between 6:00 AM and 8:00 PM, and while residents will have access to their domiciles, they may have to wait a few moments until the crew is finished shooting a particular scene. For fun, the original Bullitt chase sequence is embedded after the jump. Thanks for the tip, Schirmer!

Continue reading Bullitt car chase being recreated in San Fran for commercial

Bullitt car chase being recreated in San Fran for commercial originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 14 May 2011 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hold onto your hubcaps. One very devoted enthusiast in the UK has set about reenacting one of the most famous car chases in the history of internal combustion – the Ford Mustang versus Dodge Charger battle in Bullitt – with a bit of a twist. Instead of taking to the streets of San Francisco, artist Emigre has decided to film the whole thing in stop-motion on a 1/32 scale slot car track, complete with a handmade San Francisco background to match. There’s an obscene attention to detail in everything from the sidewalks to the cars themselves and the audio from the chase lines up nicely with what’s been created so far.

The finished product is set to debut later this year, but for now, Emigre has been so kind as to show off a quick teaser for the flick. There are burnouts, the rumble and bark of two meaty V8s and two very stern-looking bad guys just waiting to give Frank Bullitt a run for his money. Hit the jump to check out the clip for yourself.

[Source: Hemmings]

Continue reading Video: Bullitt chase scene being recreated in 1/32 scale

Video: Bullitt chase scene being recreated in 1/32 scale originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 15 Feb 2011 14:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We’ve already crawled all over the GMC Sierra All Terrain HD Concept at the Detroit Auto Show, and Mike Levin from PickupTrucks.com took an extensive look at the interior and exterior with designer Carl Zipfel. The questions we really wanted to get answered were, of course, “Are you going to build it? And if not, can we build it?”

• As to whether GMC is considering bringing it to market – built on a GMC line or by a partner firm – GMC communications rep Kelly Cusinato said “My understanding is that, yes,” production feasibility is on the table.
• In its favor is that Zipfel’s team started with a production truck. “It’s the best of the Duramax HD with more off-roading capability,” he said, “built with an existing Duramax diesel and existing supplier connections.”
• When asked if a customer could build it, Zipfel said an HD owner could replicate “everything but the lights.” You can’t get the 5’8″ bed on the 2500 Duramax HD, and widening the track by four inches would be a slightly lesser challenge. Otherwise, the chassis wasn’t chopped to create the shortened front end, and Zipfeld said, “We think we’re in striking distance for crash testing if GMC decided to build it.”

Follow the jump for more revelations about the GMC Sierra All Terrain HD Concept.

Photos Copyright (C)2011 Zach Bowman / AOL

Continue reading GMC Sierra All Terrain HD Concept is being considered for production

GMC Sierra All Terrain HD Concept is being considered for production originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 12 Jan 2011 19:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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