MT Poll: Should Acura Make a $55,000 Mini NSX?

If you thought the revival of the Acura NSX supercar was great news, now we’re hearing that the Japanese automaker is considering a baby version of the car internally known as the Small NSX. The Small NSX is nothing new — the initial idea was conceived some time ago, but shelved because of financial woes. Now that the automotive market may be turning around, Honda is taking another look at the mini NSX.

The mini NSX will be just like its larger counterpart, but in a much smaller package. It will look similar and be equipped with a version of Acura’s so-called super-handling all-wheel-drive system. Power may be provided by a turbocharged direct-injection engine, which could include versions of Honda’s 3.5-liter V-6, 2.4-liter I-4, or 2.0-liter I-4, though the 2.4-liter is the most likely candidate. Like the NSX, the mini NSX could be offered with some kind of hybrid drivetrain. The upcoming NSX will be powered by an electric motor driving the rear wheels, while two more electric motors spin the front wheels. Built in the U.S., the new Acura NSX will have a twin-clutch seven-speed transmission and as we noted in April, the car will keep the driver involved rather than “being taken for a ride by a highly robotized car.”

The Small NSX could follow a year or two after the NSX’s 2015 launch, but even though the car is small in size, we expect it to carry a steep price tag if it’s brought to life. The Small NSX would likely cost between $50,000 and $60,000 and potentially compete against the Porsche Cayman, potentially helping Acura recoup NSX development costs.

What do you think of Acura’s big (small) idea? Is there enough demand for a car like the NSX, or should Acura focus on the continued development of the NSX? Tell us what you think in the comments below and be sure to vote in our poll.

Source : wot[dot]motortrend[dot]com