Electric motors can be more power to weight efficient than gas motors. A quick google search showed that a electric engine of a toyota prius gives .84 hp / lb and 3.68 tq / lb of engine weight while an RX-8 engine gives .92 hp / lb and .57 tq / lb of engine weight.
I think we can all agree that the prius was not designed to be a sports car. However, it is only slightly under the hp to weight ratio of the RX-8 and blows it away in the torque department (over 7 times the power to weight ratio).
If an electric motor was actually designed to be put in a sports car, it is likely that the power to weigh ratio will be much improved. Long story short, The NSX could end up being a torque beast with plenty of hp in relation to its weight.
Toyota Prius vs RX-8 is a
terrible comparison. We all know the rotary motors don't produce ANY tq to begin with. It's laughable. That's why all those RX7/8 guys are swapping LS motors in them lol. Don't forget the Prius batteries need to be replaced every so often and it costs upwards of $3000 said and done. You pay more for a hybrid Prius to save gas, then spend $3000 to replace it's battery when it dies. So you end up spending a hell of a lot more money and you really don't save a whole lot of gas when there are full gasoline motor cars out there getting 50mpg...
If you really want to compare battery vs gas, the Tesla vs the Exige would probably be your best comparison. Tesla weighs 2723lbs and the Exige weighs 2015lbs. The Tesla does 0-60 in 3.7sec and the Exige does 0-60 in 3.9. Sure, the Tesla is SLIGHTLY faster in a straight due to it's torque. BUT, the handling of the Tesla absolutely SUCKS in comparison to the Exige. The Exige will run circles around it on a track. And I mean that literally because the Tesla will have to recharge haha. The difference 700lbs makes is very, very significant when it comes to handling. I think it's work the same with the NSX, lose the hybrid motors/batteries all together and get that thing as light as possible.
I think this NSX would benefit a whole lot better with a turbo/twin turbo v6 both for producing power AND for being efficient. BMW has the right idea and we will likely not see any more v8's in BMW's anymore. ALL of the higher end models/sports car BMW's will be equipped with turbo v6's soon enough. The change to that is already happening slowly.. All aluminum twin turbo v6 making 500hp in a light, well balanced car sounds good to me..
Not to mention, what track rat in their right mind would want a car with electric motors? They don't give a crap about being efficient. They better do one hell of a job marketing this thing haha.
Oh and simply because this would be a hybrid, the price for this "super car" would be so high it wouldn't make sense to buy it with other super cars in the same price range or less that could perform just as well or better.
If Honda/Acura gets drivers like that to get this car fine tuned, then I'll have hope for it regardless of the power plant.