The return of the legendary Acura NSX is big news all across the world. Jaw-dropping gorgeous and packed to the gills with some of the hottest tech out there, including an extremely advanced, previously unheard of all-wheel-drive system, it promises to be a pretty epic comeback.
The truth is, as most of the world will never be in a position to afford one anytime soon, the NSX doesn’t really factor into most of our daily thoughts. So when an image that looked awfully like a cross between the Honda S660 and an NSX was uncovered, attached to a Honda patent last month, rumours began circulating of an upcoming Honda ‘baby NSX’ – the world started to pay attention.
Motoring reports that new information from a Honda insider all points to a green light for a new S2000 successor, to be based on the same platform as the NSX but fitted with a less advanced and less expensive drivetrain.
According to Motoring, the source says the conclusions based on the patent and the rendering “have some merit” and the baby NSX is a lot further along in its development than previously thought or understood. This is the best kind of secret.
The source also confirms that the car’s main market will be North America and for “all intents and purposes”, the car’s exterior is completed – this means the coupe could make its global appearance as early as the Los Angeles Auto Show this year or in Detroit for January 2016.
As far as why the rush for the Honda sportscar? Apparently, Honda dealers in North America are driving the big push for a Honda halo car as the NSX is strictly sold and marketed by Acura on our side of the world. And when all the dealers are clamoring for something, Honda obliges by employing an almost identical platform to the NSX, dropping in a turbo 2.0L hybrid unit and fitting an electronic SH-AWD system with all-wheel steer, giving you a fast-tracked, cheaper, lighter and instant baby NSX! If the rumours are true, expect to see the new car in dealers sometime in 2017 and priced at a much more affordable $70,000 or so.
The source also says that Honda will build the new car alongside the NSX here in North America or in the world’s only dedicated mid-engined vehicle production line in Yokkaichi, near Suzuka, where the S660, Vamos, and Acty mini-cars are currently built.
It seems like the next few years are going to be a good few years for us sportscar fanatics and we’re praying to the Honda gods for this to be real life.
Honda's mid-engine S660 Roadster revealed
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Honda's latest mid-engine, RWD, turbocharged roadster is infinitely cooler than a Smart Car or a Fiat 500... and we can't have it.
