Much like its legendary predecessor, the upcoming 2016 Acura NSX is promising Ferrari-rivaling performance at a relatively low price.
Specifically, Acura is targeting the Ferrari 458 Italia, according to chief engineer Ted Klaus in an interview with Ausitralia’s What Car? (hat tip to MotorAuthority).
“We have to achieve the type of acceleration that the customer is achieving with the Ferrari,” he said. “More importantly, we have to achieve this every day and also at the Nurburgring.”
In addition to the performance, Acura is also trying to keep the NSX as affordable as possible. As such, Klaus says we can expect pricing within the R8’s range. In Canada, the R8 starts at $134,800 for the base V8 coupe and tops out at $182,800 for the V10-powered Spyder.
The 2016 NSX will be powered by a twin-turbocharged V6 engine, paired to three electric motors. Acura calls it Sport Hybrid SH-AWD, with two electric motors powering the front wheels independently and the third powering the rear. The NSX will also use a lithium-ion battery pack mounted in the middle and as low as possible.
Klaus also said Acura would be “foolish” to not offer a droptop variant, so expect an NSX convertible soon after the coupe launches.
The production version of the 2016 NSX is expected to debut at one of the major auto shows in North America early next year, with sales beginning next fall. It will be built at the Performance Manufacturing Centre, a new branch of Honda’s plant in Marysville, Ohio.
