The new Acura NSX Concept to debut at 2012 NAIAS

TOKYO - The folks at Honda have just announced that when the 2012 North American International Auto Show opens in Detroit’s Cobo Hall next month, the new Acura NSX Concept will be among the new models making their grand debut.

The Acura NSX (or Honda NSX, depending on where you live in the world) was Honda’s midship supercar from 1990 through 2005 and since production ended in ’05, there have long been rumors that the Japanese automaker was working on a replacement. Thanks to the announcement by Honda, we know now that the next Acura NSX Concept exists and the world will get to meet it in January at the Detroit Auto Show. Following in the footsteps of the previous NSX, this high performance Honda will be marketed as an Acura product in the United States with targeted competition being the likes of the Audi R8 and the Lexus LFA – sans the incredible price of the LFA.

Few details are known about the new Acura NSX Concept being unveiled at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show but we can expect this new Japanese supercar to come with a mid-engine drivetrain powering all four wheels. The NSX Concept will likely pack a high revving V6 engine (likely using forced induction to boost the output) mated to a 7-speed dual clutch gearbox but there is no indication as to how much power the new NSX V6 will offer. However, we can make an assertion that the new Acura NSX Concept will need at least 500 horsepower if Honda really wants it to challenge current supercars like the 518 horsepower Audi R8 or the 552 horsepower Lexus LFA.

Spyshots of the car believed to be the next Acura NSX have shown a supercar that appears to be smaller in stature than the Lexus LFA with a long front end and a very short rear portion. However, rumors suggest that the NSX Concept arriving in Detroit next month could look similar to the Acura Concept designed for use in the major motion picture Ironman 3. That movie car offers an overall design far more similar to the old school NSX with a shortish front end (after all, there is no engine up there) and plenty of room behind the driver and passenger for a mid-ship engine placement.

Finally, while very little official information has been offered by the Japanese automaker, rumors suggest that Honda wants to see the new Acura NSX driven so the price is expected to be well below the $375,000 price tag of the Lexus LFA. The 2012 North American International Auto Show opens to the media on January 9th so in less than a month – we will have a crystal clear look at the new Acura NSX Concept. Honda is bringing this vehicle out to show the styling direction of the production version of the new NSX but with any luck, the new Japanese supercar will offer drivetrain figures when it bows next month.