Acura’s mid-engined performance flagship is back after a seven year absence, at least in concept form.

The Acura NSX Concept car is a futuristically-styled sports car powered by both a mid-mounted V6 engine with Honda’s VTEC system and twin two-mode electric drive motors with adjustable torque control. The electric motors send power exclusively to the front wheels, where they can add or dial back torque as needed for optimal grip and performance.

Combined, the powertrains form a new Sport Hybrid SH-AWD system that sends motivation to all four corners, unlike the rear-drive-only setup of the original NSX. A dual-clutch automatic transmission ensures rapid-fire shifts. Acura hasn’t specified a power output, but we’ve heard that it is in the neighborhood of 400 horsepower.

While that doesn’t sound like a lot of power for supercar-level performance, the NSX will be ultra light weight, which Honda says will provide it with a race car-inspired high power to weight ratio.

“The NSX will make the driver one with the car to enhance dynamic driving abilities without getting in the way,” Honda CEO Takanobu Ito said in a statement.

Although the car will certainly use less fuel than most similarly-powered cars, its eco-friendly credentials aren’t likely to please the typical hybrid crowd. Still, Honda’s CEO says that the NSX represents the future of performance under the Acura banner, a move that should allow it to comply with emissions and economy standards while still delivering track-inspired driving dynamics.

“In this new era, even as we focus on the fun to drive spirit of the NSX, I think a supercar must respond positively to environmental responsibilities,” said Ito.

A production NSX is about three years off. Honda says it will be built in central Ohio in a “unique, advanced manufacturing operation.”

producer: acura
period: 2015