Honda’s reported attempt to make a new electrified Type R model is hitting brick walls according to a new report.
The Acura NSX is rumored to be coming back as an EV amid reports development of the Type R is not going too well.
Honda’s electrification strategy is shaping up to be a potent game changer for the company with the upcoming “0” Series promising to push the company into the EV wars full steam. On the surface, it appears that Honda is having little trouble reaching its goals even as it also prepares for a merger with rival automaker Nissan.
However, a new report suggests that the company is also running into its fair share of speed bumps with work on an electrified Type R reportedly hitting numerous snags as the company appears to be discovering that making a fun performance EV model is much harder than it appears to be at first glance.
Electrified Type R not happening anytime soon
The recently unveiled Honda Prelude suggests Honda is turning up the heat on performance with the EV perhaps being a crescendo in that regard.
The report comes from the British publication Auto Express who had an interview with Toshohiro Akiwa the head of Honda’s BEV Development Center. Akiwa revealed that developing a performance EV worthy of the Type R badge is very difficult with the exec admitting the company has its work cut out for it when it comes to developing the vehicle. “A battery and motor have different characteristics so we can’t come up with something exactly the same as before,” said Akiwa. “As an EV, how can we provide the joy of driving? We haven’t given up of course, but it’s not just about power, it’s about the sound, vibration, acceleration and the human experience. These are the joys of driving.”
Akiwa also admitted that an electrified Type R isn’t happening anytime soon which is not a surprise considering how much of a challenge the company has had in developing it. Thankfully, the ICE-powered Type R is still on sale so look for loyalists to not worry too much about some of the challenges in development since they will be more focused on getting an ICE-powered one for themselves anyway.
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Honda still committed to EV performance
Look for Honda to focus on more immediate concerns including the merger with Nissan and its core “0” Series models.
Despite some of these early struggles, Honda is still determined to produce a high-performance EV model with the company confirming in the past that it intends to have one out by the 2027-2028 model year. The model would be an extreme application of the “0” Series architecture and it would push the limits of Honda’s EV technology.
However, look for a model like this to be low on the priority list since Honda is preparing for a merger with Nissan. The merger preparations are extensive and the two companies are already running into some potential obstacles including the unenviable task of Nissan buying out Renault’s shares in the long-standing partnership the firm has with the French automaker. As such, look for the proverbial gears to move in the development of a performance EV after Honda completes the merger.
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