Acura has just begun to scratch the surface with the all-new NSX.
Rather than viewing it as an individual model, Acura sees the NSX as a platform that could be used to spawn several variants throughout its lifecycle. In a way, the Acura NSX could serve the same purpose as the Porsche 911 and, according to the head of the NSX project, Ted Klaus, the Japanese automaker is looking at convertible, lightweight, non-hybrid and all-electric versions. Perhaps the most exciting of the news is that one of those variants would be a Type R model, which has been rumored since last year.
The 2017 Acura NSX is currently powered by a hybrid powertrain cranking out 573 horsepower from a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 engine and three electric motors. But the NSX will be used as a way to “start to dream of new technologies,” said Klaus, and the sports car’s recent outings at Pikes Peak confirms those notions.
SEE ALSO: Watch the 2017 Acura NSX Claim Victory at Pikes Peak
The 2017 Acura NSX claimed a victory at Pikes Peak with a close-to-stock car, although it did lose some weight. As a result of the competition, Acura is considering a “more pure, simplified version” for its lineup. There was also an all-electric version competing at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, with the team investigating torque vectoring along with battery durability and power electronics.
And for those purists out there, Klaus confirmed there’s no reason to believe a standard gasoline model is out of the question. In fact, he said there is “nothing in the way of it being non-electrified” and it’s a strong possibility the Type R model would be just that.
As for a convertible, Klaus didn’t reveal much, simply saying: “We can dream one day about losing its top.”
[Source: Autocar]
