Acura NSX hybrid supercar to debut in August

It has been a few months since we heard anything about Honda’s upcoming Acura NSX hybrid supercar. The Japanese automaker brought the vehicle back from retired supercar status first as as a concept at the 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

Later that year, Honda announced that a production version would go on sale sometime in 2015. A more refined version of the NSX concept was brought to the Motor City the following year and, more recently, pre-orders started being takeneven as it was said it would be built in Ohio.

image via Honda

All of this history in such a short period of time brings us to the most current news from Honda – a running prototype will take to the racetrack just prior to the Honda Indy 200 IndyCar Series race at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio on August 4 as a bit of a teaser of what’s to come. It was noted by the company that

this prototype model maintains the styling and proportions of the NSX Concept that debuted at the 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, while packaging the production vehicle’s mid-mounted V-6 engine mated to Acura’s innovative new three-motor Sport Hybrid SH-AWD (Super Handling All Wheel Drive) system.

Rumors suggest the NSX will deliver a total of 400 horsepower, making it capable of sprinting from 0 to 60 mph in under 5 seconds. It will likely carry a price tag of more than $150,000 and, yes, there are already plenty of people who look like they are willing to get in line early to get one. And, if you can’t afford that, there’s always the upcoming Fit Hybrid if you can get your hands on one.

If you want to catch a glimpse of the prototype, tune into the race on Aug. 4, which is being broadcast live by NBC Sports Network starting at 3 p.m. EDT.

* Nino Marchetti, EarthTechling