TSX69

Is Honda Returning to its Sports Car Roots?

At a press conference in early February, Honda CEO Takanobu Ito shocked the world's media when he nonchalantly revealed plans to launch a detuned production version of the V8-powered HSV-010 race car. Of course, he was referring to a road-going variant of the NSX successor project, which was shelved several years ago.

As it turns out, the next NSX (which is expected to be powered by a 400-plus hp V-8) features heavily in the company's renewed plan to pump out as many as 3 sports cars over the next several years.

Just over 6 weeks ago, a killer earthquake and tsunami threatened to cancel this about-face from Honda, and rob us of some of the most exciting news to come out of Japan since the Nissan GT-R surfaced three years ago.

But a reliable source close to Honda tells us that while these plans have been postponed as the company sorts out its parts supply problems, they are not dead in the water. In the last few weeks, we have been hearing that Honda is working on a high performance coupe powered by a 3.5 liter V-6 plug-in hybrid, a concept that Ito himself briefly mentioned.

The rebirth of the Acura RSX, the car you see pictured here in an artist's representation, is also on the near-term agenda. According our sources, the next-gen RSX will inherit a version of the just-launched 9th-generation Civic Si's 201 hp, i-VTEC 2.4 liter gas engine with slick 6-speed manual and helical LSD. Fitted with specially tuned sports suspension, the new RSX will also employ an interior inspired by the current Civic Type R and an exterior in a sharp, wedge shape.

Further down the line, Honda is also said to be developing a "more reasonably priced" C-segment sports coupe. Driven by a strong request from North American Honda dealers, this coupe is being developed with that market in mind and will incorporate Accord hardware.

1 other concept that we have covered before and awaits the results of Honda's so-called "R-evaluation executive session" is a successor to the Beat. The original Beat was an open-top 2-door, mid-engined 660cc minicar that could rev to 8500 rpm, and the next generation promises to be a new interpretation of that concept with a 1.3 to 1.5 liter gas engine. If built, don't expect the Beat to come to the U.S. We have also heard rumors of a hotter CR-Z getting a 190 hp-plus 2.0 liter gas unit, but that's all we have at the moment, rumors.

CLPimpin114

Krazzyie

I hope it comes out soon. Been hearing rumors about this for quite some time now

mdrolet77

It would be real nice if they were able to do it keeping the weight of the car down. The weight of their car seems to be skyrocketing lately and it just doesnt really fit in the ''sports car'' dynamic.

02civic629

techtalk

A second-generation RSX will be produced when the next-generation NSX is produced- sometime around neverish I believe that it all boils down to the very reason why Honda killed the first-gen RSX in the first place- it viewed the Civic Si as a product that served the same purpose/targeted the same performance-oriented youthful demographic that the RSX did and therefore axed it. Since the Civic Si still exists to this day, I doubt that Honda will diverge from their conservative product initiative any time soon..

Inteuniso

Invasion from the CL forum!

Acura has been SERIOUSLY hinting at the return of the NSX, so I don't think an RSX is that far behind.

I recently asked them on twitter what news they had of the NSX, and their reply was I think we're seeing a return of Honda sports cars. Hopefully they won't be so damned heavy as every other car on the road.

AcuraTL-S

I would love for Acura to bring the RSX back and hopefully it comes in a Type-S trim. Would look great beside my TL-S!

Krazzyie

Only time will tell. I hope they do too but it just seems unlikely considering that overall car sales are way down since 02-06.