Spy photos of a mid-engined roadster that couldn’t possibly be a production vehicle just rolled in from California, providing a tantalizing hint that Honda’s trademarked ZSX name might find its way onto a new addition to the company’s stable.
What appears to be a design study or full-on concept vehicle could herald a production vehicle, possibly the rumored “baby NSX.” Whatever the vehicle portents, it certainly looks ready for spotlights and a revolving pedestal. The wheels and mock license plate scream to any bystander (or shutterbug) that this is indeed a Honda-built vehicle.
Speculation has run wild that Honda might field a smaller version of the Acura NSX ever since that reborn model’s 2015 unveiling. Shortly after its Detroit debut, the ZSX moniker appeared in a Honda patent filing.
When asked whether there was room for another performance car in the lineup, American Honda CEO John Mendel replied, “Absolutely there is.” Unfortunately, Mendel wouldn’t enlarge on that statement. Still, he made it clear that a more attainable two-seater, possibly with a mid-engine layout, isn’t something Honda would immediately deep-six in favor of more SUVs and crossovers.
The death of Honda’s S2000 roadster left the automaker with a void to fill. While this mystery vehicle gives more than a few nods to the NSX supercar, what with its seemingly McLaren-inspired exhaust treatment, a production vehicle could go in any number of design directions.
Should the ZSX make its way to production, Honda has a choice of powertrains. The obvious go-to would be the 306-horsepower turbo 2.0-liter four-cylinder found in the upcoming Civic Type R, unveiled this week in Geneva. That engine could be mated to a electric motor for added grunt. Early speculation stated that Honda might use the turbocharged 1.5-liter found in the Civic Si as the centerpiece of a performance hybrid system.
Time will tell whether Honda squeezes the trigger on the ZSX, or whether the concept we see here will appear in New York next month.
[Images: SpiedBilde]
I pray this becomes a real thing. Its clearly a Honda show piece of some kind, just seems too wild to be a production vehicle (tiny windshield, silly mirrors). The guy flipping off the camera is a nice touch.
The only face not blurred is the guy flipping you off. Well played, sir!
He’s #1! Seriously…bring me the S660 for a nice, low price and all would be forgiven. I saw one up close up in Nashville a few months ago. It just looks like fun.
Why on earth would a prototype be pushed around some random parking lot without camo? The background of that first photo sure as heck ain’t the side of HQ in Torrance or a proving ground somewhere.
+1
Going to a focus group is my guess.
“The wheels and mock license plate scream to any bystander (or shutterbug) that this is indeed a Honda-built vehicle.”
Those can’t be Honda wheels, unless they fired the guy who designed their wheels for the last 25 years. :)
Orange is the new black!
Would that nose be in complete defiance of Euro pedestrian crash regs?
It looks more like a styling study for a track-only toy.
It has a hint of Lancia Stratos, certainly one of the most beautiful cars ever made.
To paraphrase Lloyd Bentsen: “I knew Lancia Stratos. Lancia Stratos was a friend of mine. But you sir, are no Lancia Stratos.”
http://www.hpiracing.com/assets/images/cache/8068_8068_01p_800_600.jpg
Go, Speed Racer, Go!
We must have watched the same cartoons. I saw the Mach 5 here too. Now I want to know, does it have grip tires? Can it go under water? Can it jump?!
As long as there’s a spot for Trixie, it’s all good…
The swirly head effect thing is nice.
And where does that guy get off, flipping off the photographer, when they’re using *pink* dollies?
It isn’t a running vehicle, it’s a styling clay, would be my guess. And before everyone gets their knickers in a twist the suspension travel would appear to be only slightly more than zero. For a real car they either need to bring the tires in, or push the fenders out. Silly stylists.
they should make it a 3 wheeler (2 in the front) and eat bombardiers lunch. it would, technically, be a motorcycle and not have to follow automotive regulations. they could EASILY make a better product for way less money.
All this does is make me wonder if TTAC isn’t the equivalent of the National Enquirer for car blogs?