NSX to herald new family of supercars

Honda has announced it has plans for up to five different versions of its NSX that it will launch over the supercar's lifespan that include a pure-electric derivative and a hardcore flagship NSX Type R.

Speaking to British car magazine, Autocar, the news that the Japanese Audi R8-rival would become a platform for a family of supercars was delivered by NSX project boss, Ted Klaus.

Unveiling a five-car plan, Klaus admitted that the car-maker is considering a roadster version, non-hybrid rear-wheel drive model (a la its GT3 racer), pure-electric variant and a hardcore lightweight Type R.

Honda's project manager said a single-model range had been ruled out as it wouldn't be enough to recoup the significant investment in the NSX that was hit with repeated delays during its gestation.

Klaus told Autocar that each spin-off of the core NSX coupe would help Honda "experiment" with new technology, before going on to say: "It's a special car, with new technology, developing technology, that we can be leaders in and help us understand where the brand is going".

Most surprising of the revelations made by Honda's NSX boss is the plan for a stripped back non-hybrid model.

The standard NSX comes with a mid-mounted turbo 3.5-litre V6 that is combined with three electric motors to deliver a combined output of 427kW/646Nm.

According to Klaus, despite the firm being proud of the state-of-the-art powertrain, that also includes an all-new nine-speed dual-clutch transmission, there was "an appetite" for a "pure, simplified version".

Klaus refused to specifically confirm any of the models for full-scale production, but his comments have already led to speculation that, instead of adding yet more power, the fastest Type R could ditch its hybrid tech, driven front axle, and shave well over 200kg off the NSX's 1725kg kerbweight.

Honda's pure-electric version of the NSX is already believed to be in a late stage of development. Recently it competed at Pikes Peak with a car that boasted four individually controlled electric motors. The race car was also claimed to be an engineering testbed for battery durability testing and torque vectoring capability.

It's not known when the next variant of the NSX will arrive, but the standard coupe is expected to go on in Down Under later this year with a price tag of around $400,000.

Just five Australian dealers have been authorised to sell Honda's fastest ever road car. They are: Yarra Honda (VIC); Scotts Honda (NSW); Austral Honda (QLD); Nordic Honda (SA); and Burswood Honda (WA).