Could These Two Honda NSX Test Mules Be Non-Hybrid And Rear-Wheel Drive?

A year or so after rumours surfaced suggesting that Honda was thinking about building a lighter, more extreme NSX without the hybrid drivetrain, these two suspiciously loud test cars have been spotted at the Nurburgring
Remote video URL

Time to dust the speculation machine off: a pair of Honda NSXs have been spotted lapping the Nurburgring, both apparently with sensors over the engine covers and both sounding louder than the car we know.

Honda has previously talked-up the possibility of building a harder, more powerful NSX. We also know there’s a race-spec NSX available to buy, so there’s the possibility that these test mules are trialling some new kind of exhaust, cooling system, ECU setup or something else for the racecar.

Could These Two Honda NSX Test Mules Be Non-Hybrid And Rear-Wheel Drive?

But our guts tell us that’s not the case. Despite its devastatingly effective hybrid drivetrain that delivers epic corner-exit shove, the NSX’s 573bhp does look rather weak on paper next to the likes of the McLaren 720S’s 710bhp, for example.

A rear-wheel drive NSX has previously been rumoured, with less weight and a more traditional approach to speed, i.e. a good old petrol engine tuned to within an inch of its life. Such an NSX would be a lot lighter, too, and it would need a freer-breathing, louder exhaust like the ones on these test cars. But then again, we might be way off the mark. Guess away, CTzens!

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Comments

Anonymous

An actual good new NSX!?

08/11/2017 - 14:15 |
74 | 16
Anonymous

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

The new one was good, just a little different

08/11/2017 - 14:26 |
87 | 6
Daksh Pat

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

it did what the original nsx did to supercars, brought hybrid supercars to be more affordable

08/11/2017 - 17:06 |
16 | 0
Anonymous

That would be so cool if Honda released an NSX like this! Gives a wider range of selection and allows buyers to have a more performance oriented supercar. Hear our cries, Honda!

08/11/2017 - 14:21 |
5 | 1
Anonymous

Cheaper Gas engined NSX maybe

08/11/2017 - 14:22 |
0 | 0
Roadster / Tail Red

Does it come with vtec, unlike the hybrid one?

08/11/2017 - 14:23 |
34 | 0

Imagine if it’s a 600+ hp Vtec V6 NSX!

08/11/2017 - 15:12 |
16 | 0
ATOGI_28

NSX-R?

08/11/2017 - 14:40 |
19 | 0

NSX Type S-Zero confirmed!

08/12/2017 - 04:25 |
5 | 0
JDM_Dawg

I’m guessing this is a Type R but it’ll still have a hybrid powertrain.

08/11/2017 - 15:10 |
10 | 0

I’m guessing that. After all that time, money, r&d, and promotion put into the hybrid power train it would be hard to and embarrassing to not use it for a faster version.

08/11/2017 - 15:18 |
10 | 0
Stubaru

Sounds RWD because of all the tire squeal coming out of the exit
I hope they up the power because of the absense of the hybrid

08/11/2017 - 15:10 |
4 | 0
JenstheGTIfreak (pizza)

In reply to by Stubaru

Judging by the tire squeal it’d earlier be AWD going over the limit of grip

08/11/2017 - 17:26 |
1 | 0
3Fiddy (JDM Squad) (SAAB Squad) (S-Chassis squad)

At 0:10 the car got tail happy, I’m starting to think that this really is a MAAAAAD RWD NSX!! Edited Spelling mistake

08/11/2017 - 15:13 |
4 | 0

I think it could be just because it went over the bump on the exit of the carousel.

08/11/2017 - 18:49 |
1 | 1
MrLeo

It could be like the 720s to the p1

08/11/2017 - 15:37 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

No

08/11/2017 - 15:49 |
1 | 1