Recently published patent images show that Honda has a new, simplified air dam design that increases strength and rigidity, while simultaneously improving air flow as well. The patents also show what appears to be the new air dam attached to a second-generation NSX, spurring rumors that the H Badge could be cooking up a go-faster Type R iteration of its hybrid supercar.

Continue reading for the full story.

The Full Story

The recently published images are a novel take on traditional air dam design. Typically, these intakes use a mesh insert to help keep random rocks and sticks and small squirrels and other random road debris from entering the dam and damaging the cooling system. However, Honda's latest design instead employs crossbars to block the incoming debris, which then act as supports for the dam, helping to keep it stiff, while simultaneously easing the flow of atmosphere. The design is certainly useful for sports cars, but as the patent states, the design can also be applied to other segments.

However, as pointed out by our friends over at Motor1, the air dam design is clearly applied to the Honda NSX in the patent images, thus padding rumors that Honda is already working on a lighter, simplified iteration of its halo performance machine. That means that with the next product cycle, the NSX could very well carry the Type R badge.

We certainly hope so. We've already put together a speculative review and rendering for such a machine, and we've got our fingers crossed it comes with the power gains (700 horsepower) and aggressive weight reduction we expect.

Either way, the air dam patent in question was filed in June of 2016, which means we might see the design in the real world very soon, where it's on a Type R'd NSX or no.

As a reminder, the current NSX comes equipped with a twin-turbo 3.5-liter V-6 and no less than three electric motors, all of which help pump out 573 horsepower. Routing the muscle is a nine-speed dual-clutch transmission, while AWD puts it to the pavement. A sprint to 60 mph takes 3 seconds flat, while top speed is rated at 191 mph.

References

Acura NSX

Read our full review on the 2017 Acura NSX.

Read our full speculative review on the 2018 Honda NSX Type R.