REPORT: Acura NSX replacement will move downmarket in price, performance
Acura Advanced Sports Car concept - Click above for high-res image gallery
Late last year, Honda confirmed that it had halted development on the Acura NSX project as we had come to know it. While we're still mourning the loss of the promised front-mounted 560-horsepower V10 powerplant and torque-vectoring AWD setup, the boys at Car and Driver are reporting that the NSX may yet appear in some other form entirely.
Quoting John Watts, Acura's senior manager of product development, C&D says the NSX revival may still be in the works, just on a somewhat lower performance plateau. Says Watts, "For it to be fully effective [as a halo vehicle for the brand], it couldn't be too far removed" from Acura's other products.
As the original Acura NSX proved, Honda is capable of amazing things when it comes to performance-minded automobiles. As cool as another technological Tour de Force would be, the idea of a mid-level sportscar from Acura is certainly an intriguing prospect in its own right and would be something much more affordable for the average working stiff.
Gallery: Acura Advanced Sports Car Concept
[Source: Car and Driver]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Devin 2:01PM (8/13/2009)
Make it mid-engine! I'm thinking a G35 competitor with a mid-engine layout would be an awesome addition to this segment. Keep it under $50k and sign me up!
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Redline 2:43PM (8/13/2009)
My first thought as well, mid-engined please. Maybe a smaller displacement V8, like 2x F20C's or something on one crank.
RG 3:56PM (8/13/2009)
I am going to laugh and laugh when Honda researches, and develops and refines and tests, and changes focus, all to end up with...
The HSC, a concept car they showed 6 years ago.
Now THAT'S what I call progress!!!
naggs 4:16PM (8/13/2009)
mid engine is not gonna happen
front engine v6, awd
expect it to be lighter than its competition
draft.phunk.amd 1:49AM (8/14/2009)
I think they're making it a front-mid engine design like the gt-r and s2k
to RG...the HSC is a very nice concept and closely resembles the NSX's now, and they look great, and I'd love to own one. But I think its too gradual of a change for HondAcura. Especially if they're going to make a modern car, and quite frankly, the HSC is the NSX design, and its out of date.
My wishes were to have it stay a light, rear-mid engine, awd car though. My only possible hope is that the president of HondAcura see's this comment and takes it into HEAVY consideration.
MikeofLA 2:05PM (8/13/2009)
Soooo.... it's more of an Acura branded S2000 replacement then an NSX replacement.
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Lemon 2:55PM (8/13/2009)
Either way, they should most definitely make it
draft.phunk.amd 1:58AM (8/14/2009)
i think our folks at honda are actually making their own new s2k...acura's nsx will be the replacement for the current nsx, not an s2k replacement.
Hamhock 2:08PM (8/13/2009)
This whole NSX replacement thing pisses me off...... Honda....take 2 k20 motors and join them at the crank..... Turn the motor sideways and drop into a car like the Evora. Price at $75k and sell all you can make...very, very simple.......
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Stars Fan 3:07PM (8/13/2009)
That would work great for me.
Davin Black 6:18PM (8/14/2009)
Hamhock wins, seriously. It's like Honda is exploring every other (useless) option BUT the obvious one.
havoc627 2:10PM (8/13/2009)
this is all moot as this car will suck. I'm sorry. I loved honda/acura. and the NSX and S2000 were amazing examples of great looking, great handling sports cars. But with the new president's stance clearly stating it will no longer make rear wheel drive sports cars, this car is doomed to wallow in mediocre territory.
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zigzagz94 2:11PM (8/13/2009)
Unfortunately Acura doesn't have a RWD platform available for this car so at best it will come with their FWD biased SH-AWD system. At worst it could end up being a FWD Prelude type succesor.
With the death of the S2000 I just don't have any faith in Honda but hopefully they prove me wrong and build a RWD 370Z fighter.
More than likely though it will probably be some sort of hybrid eco-sports crap that seems to be all the rage these days.
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havoc627 2:14PM (8/13/2009)
damn you for saying what I wanted to say better than me.
You win the internet today.
Jerry 2:18PM (8/13/2009)
Make this new NSX a sports car based on the new RL. V-8 powered, SH-AWD, maybe
400 HP and price at 55 to 60. Acura needs the new RL and NSX. Then all they have to do is re-vamp the grills.
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Art 2:22PM (8/13/2009)
slower than the original? sounds like a new prelude...
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phooky 2:25PM (8/13/2009)
Just please Acura, don't give it that stupid beak...
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Taglane 2:43PM (8/13/2009)
You know they will...
muahahahha
Aki 2:27PM (8/13/2009)
Considering the new Honda president killed off plans for a RWD-based Acura RL, it's hard to imagine that this will be mid-engined, or even RWD for that matter. I'm guessing it'll be in the same market niche as the Audi TT... which would be blasphemy for the NSX nameplate.
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JDM Life 2:30PM (8/13/2009)
"560-horsepower V10"
DOUBT IT. Better off sticking with high revving 4 cylinders.
Honda has made nice little cars but nothing serious...the most serious car they ever made was the NSX which only had 270 hp I believe, but made due with being very light. IF they really plan on bring back the NSX keep it RWD and put the engine in the same place in was in the the original.
In terms of the design department i don't have high hopes at all for any future Honda/Acura models...
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