Acura promised there would be a future NSX back in 2021. And the brand hinted that, since the first generation was gas and the second generation was hybrid, the third-generation model would be an all-electric vehicle.
That Acura NSX EV project appears to be in the works. Here’s what we know about it so far.
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Honda says an electric sports car is in development
We know for a fact that Honda is working on an electric sports car. The brand’s CEO Toshihiro Mibe told Autocar “we have a sports car,” and that its development is “steadily progressing.”
The future Acura NSX
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The new NSX is expected to be based on the 0 Series platform
Honda just announced its new 0 Series EV platform. Autocar expects the new NSX to be the “halo model” of that range. The NSX could incorporate some features from the revealed Saloon concept, such as the low, cab-forward design and a minimalist, driving-focused interior.
The battery pack would be slimmer to allow the lower ride height. And the electric motors would be tucked within the axles to maximize interior space.
Acura may have offered a preview of what the new NSX would look like
Acura released an “electric vision” teaser in August 2023. The video depicts a vehicle that looks like a high-performance sports car. The next NSX may feature some of the design language and detailing previewed in the video, even if the eventual road-going silhouette looks a bit different.
The new sports car should be different from the Prelude
Honda did unveil a concept for a new Prelude sports coupe that looked remarkably close to production ready. But Honda confirmed that vehicle will be a hybrid, not an EV, and will not be track-focused.
When will the new Acura NSX arrive?
Acura has not announced a timeline for the new NSX yet. We know that 0 Series vehicles are not due to arrive until 2026. So that would be the earliest point we would see the new NSX. Beyond that, it depends how Honda/Acura want to approach building an EV sports car.
Optimistically, the challenge with EVs is making them affordable. That’s why we saw GM start with the audacious Hummer EV SUT and work backward. So, we could expect something like an NSX that isn’t budget-constrained could arrive before a Civic EV.
The trouble is that an electric NSX would be treading new ground. Manufacturers haven’t really figured out EV sports cars yet; they need to be lighter, and they also need to engage drivers more. It’s not clear yet how to do the latter, and the former may require better battery tech than is currently available.
