Haute 100 Update: Robert Downey Jr. Previews Successor to Acura NSX on ‘Avengers’ Set

The legendary Acura NSX supercar is making its return! Robert Downey Jr. was spied behind the wheel of a new, Acura-badged supercar on set of the new Avengers movie in Central Park, previewing a successor to the beloved NSX.

Acura is Honda’s U.S.-only luxury brand and the appearance of a long-awaited concept of the NSX is significant of Honda’s return to the supercar market. Honda CEO Takanobu Ito had hinted at the NSX’s revival when he said, “We’re making progress with plans for an exotic sports car,” and added six months ago that Honda wanted to re-launch a high-performance sports car like the NSX.

A source from Honda said, “Honda wants to build a supercar that breaks the mould while creating a new technological package.” The source also noted that the Dual Note 4WD hybrid concept from the 2001 Tokyo Motor Show was a first look at the technology to be used in the new NSX – a 3.5-litre V6 to drive the rear wheels and in-wheel electric motors for the front, generating over 400bhp.

Honda is currently in the works on a light, aluminum-bodied vehicle with a VTEC V6 engine between 3.5 to 3.7 liters. Additionally, there will be a twin electric motor set-up to be powered by lithium-ion batteries and a plug-in recharge system for a small, electric-only range, resulting in both copious torque and the famous revving power Hondas are known for.

The car is set to go on sale by 2014 with a price starting at £65,000 (approximately $100,000).

Our Haute 100 list details the accomplishments of the most influential people in each of our markets. To see the entire Haute 100 Los Angeles list, click here.