Acura will make an “NSX-type” electrical sportscar, anticipating to deliver it to market in 2027 or 2028, says Acura World Government VP Shinji Aoyama.
The Honda NSX sportscar, which was offered within the US because the Acura NSX, made a splash within the 90s and was common for its styling, dealing with, and its use of some new applied sciences like an aluminum monocoque. Its title stood for “New Sportscar eXperimental,” displaying Honda’s intent to dive into future applied sciences with the mannequin.
Then, Acura introduced the NSX again in 2016, this time with a 500+hp hybrid powertrain. Nonetheless, with no plug-in functionality in any respect, and coming considerably late to market in comparison with earlier plug-in entries just like the Tesla Roadster and Porsche 918, the “New NSX” misplaced a few of its “eXperimental” sheen (Honda stated the title now meant “New Sports activities eXperience”). That mannequin ended manufacturing in 2022.
But it surely appears to be like like Acura could also be able to deliver its sportscar chops again into the current, with an all-electric “NSX-type” sportscar coming quickly.
Yesterday at Monterey Automotive Week in California, Aoyama informed journalists that an NSX-like car will hit the highway in ’27-28. He did, nevertheless, cease in need of saying that the car will likely be referred to as the NSX, simply that it is going to be an identical model of automotive.
Acura has already proven an NSX-like idea earlier than. On the final iteration of Monterey Automotive Week, it teased an “Electrical Imaginative and prescient” idea with NSX-like appears to be like, although hadn’t stated something on the time about whether or not or when it would come to manufacturing. It was only a “design examine.”
Acura would use Honda’s “0 collection” structure, which is being developed for Honda’s first electrical sedan, meant to hit the highway in 2026. The main focus is on protecting the structure “skinny and light-weight.” Honda desires to make sure that the battery isn’t too tall, as a result of a thinner battery means extra cabin area (in a sedan), or decrease to the bottom (in a sportscar).
Honda/Acura have launched one BEV to date within the US, within the type of the Prologue/ZDX. Nonetheless, this car doesn’t use a Honda platform, and as a substitute is constructed on GM’s Ultium platform. Honda’s different EV within the US is the CR-V e:FCEV, which has an all electrical drivetrain however may be fueled both through a plug or by hydrogen, and is simply out there in California.
Honda has additionally partnered with Sony on its AFEELA prototype, which is meant to come out in 2026.
Electrek’s Take
As a Tesla Roadster proprietor, I’m a fan of EV sportscars. I don’t want the insane efficiency and horsepower of a 1,025hp Rivian Ascend Quad Max or an 8.56s quarter-mile Mannequin S Plaid, what I need is one thing small and light-weight.
And there simply aren’t many choices for that. A part of the explanation for it’s because batteries are heavy, so it’s arduous to make a light-weight EV. However that doesn’t imply it’s unattainable – my automotive is 2,800lbs, and there’s even an electrical four-seater out there with the identical curb weight. (For reference, the unique NSX was ~3,000lbs, and the brand new NSX was ~3,800lbs)
We don’t know but what kind the “NSX-type” EV will take, whether or not it is going to be a two door or 4 door (the earlier NSX incarnations have had two doorways, and two seats), or every other applied sciences it would embody.
However Aoyama’s feedback about protecting it “gentle” are heartening. This implies it might are available in nearer to the Roadster, or the Caterham Challenge V, relatively than the 4,000lb, four-door Porsche Taycan. Not that there’s something unsuitable with the Taycan’s efficiency, nevertheless it’s arduous to make a 4 door that handles like a two door.
And whereas Honda is late to the get together on EVs, it is probably not late to the get together on EV sportscars. If they will crack the nut of constructing a fairly gentle, sporty EV at a considerably accessible worth level (the brand new NSX began at $156k in 2017… so possibly not all that accessible), that may very well be a giant assertion for the EV trade on the complete. And we’re excited to listen to extra about it.
FTC: We use earnings incomes auto affiliate hyperlinks. Extra.
