cars news 10: Report: Honda Planning NSX EV, Roadster, Type R

Taking a page from Ferrari’s playbook, Honda might create a diversified lineup for its NSX supercar. According to a report from Autocar, the hybrid coupe is considered a “platform,” and not just a one-off exercise in design and performance.

Autocar apparently nabbed this information from NSX boss Ted Klaus. The report claims Honda is considering a wide array of variants, including a roadster, a lightweight track-day special, and a slew of alternative powertrain configurations, including a non-hybrid and all-electric model. Autocar reports that one of the variants will wear Honda’s vaunted “Type R” badge. This further lends credence to earlier Type R rumors we reported on back in March.

To recap, the NSX is currently only available in one configuration. A 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V-6 engine sends power to the rear wheels through a nine-speed dual-clutch transmission, paired with three individual electric motors, bringing the total power output up to 573 hp.

The NSX is considered a very significant product investment, and serves as the standard bearer for Honda’s return to the performance segment. This diversification is a smart move on Honda’s part, as not doing so would be akin to leaving a whole heap of cash on the table, and it makes full use of the Honda Performance Manufacturing facility in Ohio. Success in the supercar segment nowadays dictates a sundry lineup, with convertibles, special editions, and hardcore performance variants being the industry standard.

We already caught a glimpse of Honda’s future intentions, beginning with the both the lightweight NSX and the all-electric NSX that charged up Pikes Peak earlier this year. The rest can’t come soon enough.

Source: Autocar