Seventeen years ago the 3.0 C30A in the Honda NSX was considered cutting edge

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_C_engine#C30A

utilising advanced technologies such as titanium conrods to develop 270bhp. BMW recently released a 3.0 with 272bhp.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/N53

What is most impressive is the C02 output, which at ~170g is not much more than half of the NSX's 290g. The NSX received a LEV certificate in 2000

http://www.hondanews.com/search/release/2653?q=supercar&s=acura

But the question remains - will it sound as good?

http://www.pistonheads.com/doc.asp?c=120&i=5985

"motivating the NSX with any real urgency requires plenty of revs - which not only produces rapid acceleration but THAT noise.

From around 6,000rpm when the VTEC's high lift lobes take over until the limiter cuts in at 8,500rpm the NSX emits a sound that's probably best described as a cross between a roar and a wail. It is quite simply aural ecstasy for petrolheads and it's a pity we didn't grab an MPEG to go with this report because it must rate as one of the best road car soundtracks ever.