Honda NSX development shifts to new super hybrid sports car - report

The Honda NSX may yet surface but not as the 5.5-litre V10 rocket that it was initially supposed to be. Having shelved the project in late 2008 reports suggested that virtually nothing could be done by Honda to salvage it. That is until now.

It appears that automakers are steadily shifting towards the green sports car and the NSX could be the next one on the list. A rumour has surfaced that says not only is the NSX back on track but it will now ditch the petrol V10 for a next generation "valveless throttle" 3.5-litre V6 with a hybrid system.

In total the car would produce about 330kW (450PS), effectively taking it out of Nissan GT-R territory and putting it squarely against the Toyota FT-HS as well as the likes of the Audi RS 5 and the BMW M3. However the added weight of the batteries and other hybrid apparatus could negate its performance potential. So the times previously posted by the V10 at the Nurburgring might be revised.

The company's SH-AWD system is to be used and placed on an aluminium platform. No launch dates are yet mentioned, but given that the original V10 car was expected to launch in 2010, the hybrid version could follow along similar lines.

*artist rendering by Larson