Honda Plans Two Electric Sports Cars This Decade

• Honda reveals plans to field two electric sports cars, including a "flagship" and a "specialty" model, later this decade.

• The automaker plans to introduce its own EV platform starting in 2026, dubbed e:Architecture, that is likely to underpin both sports cars, while relying on GM's Ultium platform for its Prologue model.

• Honda plans to introduce what it calls "affordable" EVs starting in 2027, confirming that most of its electric models will arrive in the second half of the decade rather than earlier.

Honda has repeatedly confirmed it will be working with GM on a number of electric models, and plans revealed thus far have focused on family cars, including the upcoming Ultium-based Prologue sport utility. This week Honda disclosed it also plans two electric sports cars, including what could be a spiritual successor to the Honda NSX, which the US received as an Acura. The automaker shared teaser images of the two EVs this week, ahead of an announcement at the New York auto show.

Honda calls one of the sports cars a "flagship" model, while the other will be a "specialty" model, with the teaser image itself perhaps suggesting an S2000 and an NSX-style duo. It's relatively clear that the wider, lower model shown under the covers would be the flagship model, which could be offered under Honda and Acura badges depending on market, while the slightly narrower "specialty" model could be a smaller and more affordable sports car, one that could follow in the footsteps of the S2000.

Of course, this isn't the first time that Honda has previewed electric sports cars. You may recall the retro-flavored Sports EV concept of 2017 that was a nod to the classic S800 of the 1960s. The model features styling similar to that of the CVCC-style Honda:e concept, which advanced to production but has only gotten as close as Europe.

With the latest announcement Honda did not indicate just when we might see the two electric sports cars, but it's likely they won't bow before 2026 at the earliest. This is due to Honda's rather conservative timeline for EVs in general, with the automaker planning to field the aptly named Prologue in 2024 as part of a rollout of 30 promised electric models this decade. But we won't see what Honda calls "affordable" models for some time.

"Through the alliance with GM, Honda is planning to introduce affordable EVs in 2027, with a cost and range that will be as competitive as gasoline-powered vehicles, starting from North America," Honda said in a statement.

After the debut of the Ultium-based Prologue, Honda plans to field its own electric platform dubbed e:Architecture, and it's likely to use its own platform for the two sports cars, pointing to a 2026 launch at the earliest. So Honda's upcoming EV lineup is weighed very heavily towards the second half of the decade.