When Honda CEO Takanobu Ito confirmed the NSX replacement, it made sense that the new sports car would be revealed at the Japanese company’s home turf. However, Honda displayed the compact EV-STER concept instead, a small RWD roadster that resembles the 1990’s Beat.
There’s no reason for disappointment though as British publication Autocar is reporting that Honda plans to debut a new concept called ‘Super Sports’ at the Detroit Motor Show in mid-January.
According to Yoshikazu Kigoshi, Honda’s general manager for research and design center, the Super Sports study is described as “a halo model that will be a successor to the NSX.” Kigoshi added that the production version of the concept would be sold under the Acura brand in North America and as a Honda in the rest of the world.
The three concepts that are currently on display at the 42nd Tokyo Motor Show may have already given us a glimpse to the new NSX’s front design. That’s because Honda’s creative director, Toshinubu Minami, who is also responsible for the Super Sports concept design, admitted that the Detroit concept “will wear the same Honda face as the Tokyo models, because of course there must be consistency, but they won’t be the same.”
The Super Sports will most likely by powered by a new, top-of-the-line hybrid propulsion system that is part of Honda’s “Earth Dreams Technology” plan unveiled yesterday during the Tokyo Motor Show.
According to Honda’s official announcement, the so-called “high output electric SH-AWD hybrid system” combines a new direct-injection 3.5-liter V6 gasoline engine with a built-in, 30kW (40HP) electric motor, two independent 20kW (27HP) electric motors on both sides for the rear wheels, a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and a high performance lithium-ion battery.
Honda says that this is a newly developed version of its acclaimed SH-AWD (Super Handling All-Wheel Drive) system which adjusts torque distribution not only between the front and rear axle, but also between the rear wheels.
It also claims that it will provide “incredible tight cornering, just like driving on rails”, while at the same time improving overall consumption by 10% and total output by 5%.
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