Acura NSX chief engineer already seeing red? A Type R variant could be on its way

By Alexander Kalogianni January 14, 2015

acura nsx type r in the works reveal das2015 021 — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Our long wait for a production model of Acura’s new NSX has finally ended, and there’s already news of whats to come. In an interview with Auto Express, Ted Klaus, the NSX’s chief engineer all but confirmed that a Type R version of the sport hybrid could come down the line.

When asked about a Type R variant, Klaus replied “I think everyone who loves cars wants to see a version that we say is pure red…The NSX has always been silver first, moving towards red later,” alluding to how Honda/Acuras bare a silver badge with a red background when the model is given the Type R treatment.

Acura-NSX-reveal-DAS2015-009 — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Given that we only know the twin-turbo six-cylinder engine and two electric motors deliver power in the ballpark of 550 horsepower, it’s hard to guess as to where a Type R will take us. The available power is sent to all four wheels, channeled through a nine-speed dual clutch transmission. It also features torque vectoring to improve the maneuverability of the aluminum and carbon fiber supercar.

Will we get a jump in power? A more finely tuned suspension? It’s hard to guess, but we can take solace that Klaus is far from resting on his laurels when it comes to the NSX: “Someone asked me, ‘when will you be satisfied?’ Probably never. What you do today, you can improve on tomorrow.”

We’re sure that this proverbial “tomorrow” isn’t any time soon, but until then, we have a new, exciting supercar to explore. Maybe when it hits the streets, official numbers come out and (most importantly), we get some wheel time, we can determine just what the NSX lacks in flavor for a Type R version to spice up.

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Alexander Kalogianni

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Alex K is an automotive writer based in New York. When not at his keyboard or behind the wheel of a car, Alex spends a lot of…

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