Photo: Honda via Autovisie
Honda and Acura have a beautiful halo car on their hands with the reborn NSX, which is expected to be turned into a model range. Rumors claim that the mid-engined design might get a baby brother.
This summer, an earlier patent filed by Honda in Europe trademarked the ZSX name, along with a corresponding design. The model appeared to be a mid-engined sports car, which looked rather close to production, except for a few elements. Honda did not jump to announce a baby NSX after the images of the vehicle reached the Internet, but the rumor mill kept operating.
Evidently, the mid-engined sports car is not expected to reach massive volumes, but it could be the “poor man’s NSX,” without the large price tag. It is unclear whether this car will get the green light for production, but an optimistic view of the situation would bring the ZSX in showrooms in 2020.
While car enthusiasts dream of a Civic Type R powered mid-engined sports automobile, we do not expect the 2.0-liter turbocharged gasoline engine introduced on the ongoing compact model to be available for the ZSX. Instead, a 1.5-liter three-cylinder turbocharged engine with up to 190 HP on tap, launched on the Civic X range, is expected to power the new design.
Honda is not expected to repeat the hybrid experiment first shown on the CRZ with the potential ZSX, as the former model did not manage to reach its sales expectations, and it was not universally loved by the media or its potential customers. Instead, the ZSX might become a lightweight model with an appeal for those that want an agile car from this class.
If the Japanese brand does decide to launch a production version of the ZSX, Porsche’s Boxster and Alfa Romeo’s 4C might have a worthy rival at the stop light. However, do not go running to the Honda dealership just yet, as this project still needs a business case, and this is something difficult to do these days with niche models.
Evidently, the mid-engined sports car is not expected to reach massive volumes, but it could be the “poor man’s NSX,” without the large price tag. It is unclear whether this car will get the green light for production, but an optimistic view of the situation would bring the ZSX in showrooms in 2020.
While car enthusiasts dream of a Civic Type R powered mid-engined sports automobile, we do not expect the 2.0-liter turbocharged gasoline engine introduced on the ongoing compact model to be available for the ZSX. Instead, a 1.5-liter three-cylinder turbocharged engine with up to 190 HP on tap, launched on the Civic X range, is expected to power the new design.
Honda is not expected to repeat the hybrid experiment first shown on the CRZ with the potential ZSX, as the former model did not manage to reach its sales expectations, and it was not universally loved by the media or its potential customers. Instead, the ZSX might become a lightweight model with an appeal for those that want an agile car from this class.
If the Japanese brand does decide to launch a production version of the ZSX, Porsche’s Boxster and Alfa Romeo’s 4C might have a worthy rival at the stop light. However, do not go running to the Honda dealership just yet, as this project still needs a business case, and this is something difficult to do these days with niche models.
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