The Honda NSX originally went on sale in 1990 and aimed on capturing a supercar market across Asia. It followed the standard recipe of a mid-mounted engine sending power to the rear wheels. As you would expect from a manufacturer like Honda; lots of development went into the engine, with Honda finally deciding on a lightweight V6 petrol powered unit. This was coupled with well-engineered VTEC technology allowing variable valve timing amongst other driver aiding performance enhancements, making it far more advanced than other sports cars of the time.
It wasn’t until 2005 when the NSX finally went out of production, leaving behind a legacy of Japanese sports car production. The sales never set the world alight, and the performance struggled to match that of manufacturers such as Porsche and Ferrari who seemed to churn out a new model every other year, leaving the NSX to age and fall behind. That said, The NSX offered an alternative to European supercars and this was one of the key selling points. There were various carnations of the model throughout its life including a facelift towards the end of 2003 for a final sales push. A type S mode, Type R and Alex Zanardi Edition were also added to the range which both included weight reductions and a lower ride height, coupled with specialise racing rims and removal of power steering. The Zanardi edition was only built 51 times to commemorate his wins in the 1997 and 1998 North American Champ Car racing series.
After a hiatus of 7 years (although there was an NSX racing car on the track since then) Honda has treated us with designs for a concept NSX that they expect to deliver to us within 3 years. This was an exciting day for Honda fanatics around the world, with a new Japanese supercar (to join the Lexus LFA) trying to take on the world.
Honda is describing their new concept as, “the ultimate expression of synergy between man and machine”. There were earlier plans to base a future NSX on a powerful V10 engine, but those ideas have since been quashed under Honda’s pledge to environmental responsibility. We can expect to see the same combination of rear wheel power and a mid-mounted V6 engine. Honda are also hinting that the model could even be hybrid too, with twin 27bhp motoring powering each of the front wheels.
Honda confirmed that although branded a ‘concept’ at the Detroit motor show, they fully intend to put this model into production, so the hype can begin now for future potential owners. If you’re looking for Honda contract hire in the meantime, then now is the time to get in before the launch of the new NSX comes by.
You would not be alone in thinking the new model looks achingly beautiful and is a bold step by the manufacturer to the potential theme all Honda designs could follow. It was a crowd pleaser at the motor show with journalists, photographers and the motoring elite all trying to grab a piece of the action, and stealing a lot of focus from other new models at the show. The Acura & Honda blog will keep you informed as the NSX developments come in!
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