Honda NSX test mule caught in heavy camouflage at Nürburgring
The next-generation Honda NSX has been spotted undergoing testing at the Nürburgring, revealing details about its hybrid powertrain and production plans.
Honda’s upcoming NSX supercar has been photographed in test mule form at the Nürburgring, confirming that development of the long-awaited successor is active and moving towards production. The car, seen under heavy camouflage, is the clearest sign yet that Honda’s flagship is on track for its planned launch.
The prototype’s silhouette closely matches the NSX concept first revealed two years earlier, with a mid-engined stance and proportions that reflect the original’s focus on balance and aerodynamics. Despite the camouflage, key elements such as the low nose, wide rear haunches and short overhangs are visible, indicating that Honda has stayed faithful to its earlier design direction.
Sources suggest the new NSX will use a 3.7-litre V6 engine driving the rear wheels, supplemented by two electric motors powering the front axle. This hybrid all-wheel-drive setup is expected to deliver a combined output in the region of 600hp, placing the NSX firmly among the quickest supercars in its class. Honda’s approach aims to blend outright performance with improved efficiency and sharper handling, utilising lessons from its earlier hybrid systems.
Hybrid supercar rivals
With its powertrain configuration and performance targets, the NSX is positioned to challenge established supercars such as the Ferrari 458 Italia, McLaren 650S and Lamborghini Huracan. Honda’s decision to combine a twin-turbo V6 with electric drive mirrors a wider industry move towards hybridisation at the top end, as seen in recent launches from European rivals.
- Ferrari 458 Italia: 4.5-litre V8, 562hp, rear-wheel drive.
- McLaren 650S: 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8, 641hp, rear-wheel drive.
- Lamborghini Huracan: 5.2-litre V10, 602hp, all-wheel drive.
Honda has confirmed that the new NSX will be built in Ohio, USA, with production scheduled to start in 2015. The company is targeting a starting price of around $110,000, aiming to undercut some European rivals while offering comparable performance and technology. The original NSX, developed with input from Ayrton Senna in the late 1980s, set a high benchmark for engineering and usability; the new model faces the challenge of living up to that reputation in a much-changed supercar market.
Development and next steps
Testing at the Nürburgring signals that Honda is refining the NSX’s chassis and hybrid systems under demanding conditions. The car’s presence on public roads and at high-speed tracks suggests that engineering work is entering its final stages ahead of production. The NSX joins a growing list of high-performance cars caught in development at the Ring, alongside recent sightings such as the Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG Black Seriesand Hyundai ix35.
