In August, Acura debuted a brand-new concept car and dubbed it an “electrifying design study with thrilling performance proportions.” The future car, the Honda-owned company said, would help steer Acura toward its zero-emission future. It isn’t difficult to deduce what hovers on the horizon is an all-electric sports car. The brief sneak peek at the sleek and futuristic step forward looked a whole lot like Acura’s famed NSX.
Acura’s NSX stunned the auto world when it hit the market in the late 1980s in its first iteration. The car, inspired by Formula 1 tech and tested by motorsport legends, left its mark by offering one of the fastest drives on the Japanese Domestic Market. The second iteration’s latest launch included a decent performance at a steep price compared to rivals. With 2022 Acura NSX reviews in mind, there are a few things an electric version could improve on to revive the NSX’s reputation.
A High Top Speed Is The Key To Break Records
The hybrid 2022 Acura NSX reached a top speed of 191 MPH. The beloved car’s reaction time is quicker than some competitors, but not by much. The 2022 model has an acceleration rate of 2.9 seconds from 0 to 60 MPH. The 2024 Mercedes-AMG GT, in comparison, is said to reach 60 MPH in just under three seconds and the 2021 version hits a high speed of 202 MPH.
The second-generation of the NSX failed to live up to expectations for many. Although it had fast speed — both in acceleration and top speed — its competitors also had those exact numbers, if not better ones. With a previously stellar reputation synonymous with speed, the NSX’s name took a bit of a beating. Just now announcing the manufacturer’s first series of electric vehicles, Honda is a bit behind when it comes to introducing the latest and greatest in electric technology. That doesn’t mean it can’t repair the NSX’s fleeting reputation all while trying its hand at leading the electrification of the auto industry.
Once holding the title as the quickest car on the Japanese auto market in the 1990s, the early models of the sports car set the bar high. With its aerodynamic body, the NSX-like concept from Acura looks promising for performance. If it wants to stand out among the top-performing track cars today, though, it must not trade speed in for sustainability.
The Electric NSX Needs A Competitive Price Tag
One of the biggest complaints from recent NSX models was the hefty price tag attached. The 2022 hybrid sports car came in at $171,495. Competitors, however, had similar price tags with both better stats and a luxury name attached. If an electric NSX wants a leg up on luxury names like McLaren, Mercedes, and Audi, a reasonable price is a necessity. The 2023 Audi R8, for example, starts at $161,395 and offers around the same acceleration time and a higher top speed.
How the 2022 Acura NSX’s Price Compared To Rivals
|
Model |
2022 Acura NSX |
2021 Mercedes-AMG GT |
2023 Audi R8 |
|
Price |
$171,495 |
$119,650 |
$161,395 |
|
Horsepower |
600 horsepower |
577 horsepower |
562 horsepower |
|
Torque |
495 pound-feet |
516 pound-feet |
406 pound-feet |
|
Top Speed |
191 MPH |
202 MPH |
200-204 MPH |
|
Acceleration |
2.9 seconds |
2.9 seconds |
3.4-3.5 seconds |
The electric car market has a range of prices. However, the electric sports car sector ranges from $45,000 to upwards of hundreds of thousands of dollars, if not soaring above the one million mark. The 2024 Rimac Nevera, for example, starts at a whopping $2,200,000. With this broad range in price and performance, an electric Acura NSX has some breathing room for pricing. That being said, there has been a significant push to bring down the cost of electric vehicles — and that isn’t just limited to everyday drives. The rumors swirling about a $25,000 Tesla would shake up everything previously assumed about the market. Although not built for peak performance, the potential for a Tesla in the affordable electric vehicle space means the value of luxury names may be reevaluated. Acura must situate an all-electric sports car strategically for it to fly off the shelves.
A V-6 Sound Is Necessary To Satisfy Auto Aficionados
The 2022 Acura NSX had a hybrid powertrain going for it. That characteristic sound, however, will be missed in an all-electric version. While drivers of the 2022 model could switch back and forth — minimizing the sound in residential areas and ramping it up on the racetrack — an all-electric powertrain wouldn’t offer that loud roar.
Electric vehicle technology has thankfully evolved to suit all types of automotive enthusiasts, including those with a love for a blaring motor. Cars like the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and the Dodge Charger Daytona SRT come with added artificial noise to keep the tradition and driving experience alive. While non-auto fans may have raised an eyebrow at the addition, or even deemed it contradictory, it ultimately widens the reach of the electric vehicle industry. Traditionalists have long debated how the rapid electrification of the market will impact the engines of the past. Now, it seems the best of both worlds are at play.
It Needs To Boast At Least 300 Miles Of Range
While speed is a priority, electric vehicles available today don’t skimp on driving range. The 2024 Audi e-tron GT hits 240 miles. Although the GT is equipped with less speed than most EV sports cars, it also offers a less flashy price, starting at $107,995. In a similar vein, the Taycan was Porsche’s first luxury sports car to go all-electric. While the Taycan may perform well — featuring a 2.4-second 0-60 MPH acceleration rate — its biggest downfall was the 225 miles of range. With longevity giants like the Lucid Air — offering a groundbreaking 516 miles of range while still revving up to 60 MPH in three seconds — on the market, an all-electric Acura has to hit a sweet spot in top speed, acceleration, and range. A 300-mile range at the minimum would set an EV NSX up for success.
Acura’s first all-electric SUV is available starting in 2024. The ZDX is expected to run a total of 325 miles and fall within the $60,000 to $70,000 price range. The EV SUV debuted at Monterey Car Week along with the possible NSX concept design. The fleet of electric cars reflects not only Acura’s plans for the future, but the auto industry as a whole. More and more manufacturers have set lofty goals for going all green, or totally carbon-neutral by a range of dates: 2028 for some, 2030 for most, and 2035 for others. Acura fits right into Honda’s plans to sell only electric vehicles by a later date: 2040.
While that date may seem far off, it also will offer the automotive brand to experiment with the latest in electric vehicle technology and create a balance of pace, performance, price, and perseverance. Hopefully, the newest all-electric sports car to come off the factory line strikes that balance. With its sparkly display of unveiling the car concept at Car Week, Acura ushered in a new future for the brand — one that is sleek, speedy, and sustainable. As more details trickle out of Acura, gear heads wait in anticipation for what is likely a bright and eco future.