Geeks Report

Nearly twenty years after releasing the first iconic Japanese supercar, Honda will return to the high performance ring. The Japanese carmaker has finally confirmed long-standing rumors that a new generation NSX is in the works, leading frenzied fanboys to Google and car journalists reaching for their grammar checker.

Honda’s Chief of Research & Development, Mike Toshihiro, told journalists covering the automotive circuit that the company is now developing the drivetrain that will power Honda’s new halo car. It is speculated that the it will use the new SH-AWD hybrid system, which will also power the 2013 model of Acura’s RL sedan. The system marries a V6 engine with a pair of electric motors, mated to a seven-speed automatic with dual clutch setup. According to Honda, the V6 hybrid will have an acceleration “equivalent to a V8″ but the fuel economy of a four-cylinder engine.

The body, meanwhile, has not yet been finalized. Honda says the front will resemble the Acura concept car built for the new Avengers movie, and driven by character Tony Stark. According to industry sources, this means the company is open to feedback, taking the route of Toyota and Subaru with their newly released FT-86 performance coupe.

Honda plans to unveil the NSX prototype at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show, which is less than four weeks away. The prototype will be a body shell with no interior, as the company has not yet finalized the interior design for the coupe. It will sport five-spoke alloy wheels of yet unannounced size, wrapped in Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires: 255/35ZR19 for the front and 275/30ZR20 for the rear.

Other details the company shared are:

• The V6 hybrid powertrain will be mounted amidship, just like the original. This is contrast to the earlier rumored successor, which had a front-mounted engine setup
• It will be a two-seater
• The proportions will be very similar to the original NSX, but with “more aggressive” styling

According to sources who were allowed a sneak peek at the prototype, the design resembles that of the Avengers concept car, but in a more refined and “production ready” form. Supposedly, the car will be a hard-top with a muscular and futuristic shape like the Audi R8, finished in a silver bodypaint.

Like the original, Honda wants the car to be “obtainable”, but NSX fanboys fear the word has a relative meaning. Honda might design the car to compete with Audi’s R8 halo car, rather than Toyota or Subaru’s new coupe. This means it will be out of the range of most buyers’ pockets.