The NSX->ke307 project was on and off like a bad high school fling all throughout the mid-2000s and finally, after mulling around, Honda decided it was time to let the NSX breathe. In the midst of all of that on-and-off movement, Honda planned, then scrapped, a smaller version of the NSX. This entry-level sports car was slated to go into the slot once owned by the now-defunct S2000->ke1409, but when the NSX was axed, so was its baby brother.

Reports out of Japan, via Motor Trend, are pointing to the chances that this sub-NSX model is, in fact, a reality and will be chauffeured into the Acura lineup. According to the report, the baby NSX will essentially look like its full-size brother and even share a lot of its parts. The only real difference will be the overall size of this low-level NSX and its drivetrain.

The drivetrain is really a mystery on this compact, mid-engine sports car, as there are many directions that Honda->ke34 can take it. With the NSX boasting a nasty V-10 setup, Honda could use either a V-6 or 4-cylinder option without intruding into the area reserved for its upcoming flagship sports car. Rumor has it that this smaller NSX will feature a turbocharged, direct-injected version of an existing engine, likely either the 3.5-liter V-6 or 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine.

With the NSX’s release date still not concrete - we anticipate it being in showrooms sometime in the 2015 model year - we can only guess that the smaller NSX would be a 2016 model year vehicle. If Acura does release this baby NSX, we assume that his would extinguish any talk of releasing a replacement for the S2000 in Honda’s lineup.

We’ll keep our eyes out for any additional news on this possible baby NSX and pass on whatever we can to you.

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