Whatever happened to the new Honda NSX Type R? For years, there have been rumors that the reborn NSX is getting the Type R treatment, but we're still waiting for the hardcore variant to debut. If you can't wait for it to arrive, an original NSX Type R is crossing the auction block in Japan according to UK Japanese car specialist Torque R.

Finished in white, the NSX Type R being sold at auction is based on the rarer NA2 facelift model launched in 2002 that was limited to just 140 examples. By contrast, Honda built 500 examples of the original NSX Type R that launched in the early 1990s.

Thanks to the copious amount of carbon fiber body parts, the Type R version weighed around 220 pounds less than the original NSX. To save extra weight, Honda also removed the power steering, which made the mid-engine supercar more engaging to drive. Powering the NSX Type R is a 3.2-liter naturally aspirated V6 generating 290 horsepower and 224 lb-ft of torque, which is sent to the rear wheels through a six-speed manual transmission.

This example listed for sale has covered 31,640 miles, so it certainly hasn't been neglected and appears to be in excellent condition.

Unsurprisingly, this rare Japanese sports car is not cheap considering that less than 150 examples were produced. According to Torque R, the NSX Type R has a starting bid of ¥45,000,000 - that's around $408,000. And that's just the starting bid, so we won't be surprised if it sells for over $500,000. That would make it around $340,000 more than a new Acura NSX, which has a starting price of $157,500.

Back in 2019, another NSX Type R with only 348 miles on the clock sold for $445,377, so we'll have to wait and see how much this higher-mileage example sells for. We're also keeping our fingers crossed that rumors of the new NSX Type R come true as reports have suggested the hardcore variant will debut this October with 641 hp on tap.