Acura weighing roadster, high-performance variants of new NSX

The first-generation Acura NSX soldiered on relatively unchanged for its entire 14-year production run, but Honda’s luxury division has no plans to let the newest version of its supercar wither on the vine.

Although Acura hasn’t officially laid out its future plans for the NSX, the automaker has indicated that at least two more variations of the supercar are in the works. Following in the footsteps of Lamborghini and Ferrari, those NSX derivatives will be spaced out over the next few years in an effort to keep the car fresh.

One of those future derivatives will likely be an open top version of the NSX. The previous NSX was offered with a removable targa top, but its modern equivalent will probably use a retractable soft top like the Audi R8 Spyder or Porsche 911 Convertible. Some extra engineering will be required for the roadster treatment, however, as the NSX’s battery pack — which is located between the passenger cell and the engine compartment — occupies the space where a convertible top is typically stored. Chopping off the NSX’s roof will also require some additional chassis bracing.

In addition to a roadster, Acura is also mulling a high-performance version of the NSX, possibly under the Type-R banner. Acura engineers admit that the NSX still has plenty left to give, both in terms of chassis tuning and output from its 3.5L twin-turbocharged V6. The hybrid’s battery pack and electric motors could be improved, too. We wouldn’t be surprised to see at least 100 addition horsepower from the NSX Type R.

An NSX Type-R, or whatever it might be called, could also benefit the rest of the Acura lineup. As it stands there isn’t much of a connection between the NSX and the rest of Acura’s lineup, but a performance trim like the Type-R could help to bridge that gap. Although not planned as a full-on alternative to BMW’s M or Mercedes’ AMG, a Type-R ILX or TLX would give Acura some performance cred while also giving buyers some kind of connection to the halo NSX.

It remains unknown which offshoot Acura is planning for the NSX first, but it will likely be two or three years before we see any significant changes to the brand’s hybrid supercar.