Next Honda NSX may move downmarket

John Watts, Acura's senior manager of product development, said that the previous NSX was "too high a halo." In other words, it was felt that the gap between the NSX and the rest of the range was too wide, and unachievable for all but the richest of enthusiasts.

"For it to be fully effective [as a halo vehicle for the brand], it couldn't be too far removed," Watts said, confirming that the NSX will serve as the flagship of the Honda brand, but the gap would not be as wide as before. This would mean a reduction in price, and therefore development costs, and a possible dip in performance. Platform sharing with one of the marque's current models has also not been ruled out.

The Acura Advanced Sports Car concept may provide an indication as to how the future NSX might look like, but Honda is expected to make some sort of announcement regarding the new supercar, which could go against the Nissan GT-R and the forthcoming Lexus LF-A, at the Tokyo Motor Show later this year.