Honda NSX is a supercar built by Honda from 1990 to 2005 and 2016 to 2022. Outside market also has an Acura NSX including North America, this is the only flagship supercar ever built for Honda. Purposely as a daily supercar yet lesser price compared to the European counterpart. It has a two-gen of the NSX; First-gen NSX has two version: NA1 (pre to mid-MY models with pop-up headlamp), NA2 (late MY-models with facelift version in 2002). Honda NSX is one of the two Japanese production mid-engine cars, the other one is the Toyota MR2 with shared trait.
Honda NSX is one of the cars tested by Ayrton Senna whilst helping for development.
Engines are 3 to 3.2-litre naturally-aspirated V6 with VTEC but transversely mid-engine rear mounted, 3.2-litre (C32B) later in 1997 with the 6-speed gearbox but phased out the 3-litre for 5-speed; 4-speed automatic continues with less powerful. C32B increased power up to 290-bhp. In third-gen NC1 NSX has 3.5-litre,
In 1992, Honda released a track-oriented version as NSX-R, this is the first Type-R model, later applied the two FWD the Integra DC2 (including Acura badged; excluding DC5 as RSX) to DC5 (Japan only) and current Civic Type R. NA1 NSX-R produced from 1992 to 1995 with 3-litre V6, again in 2002 a facelifted NA2 produced from 2002 to 2005 with 3.2-litre. NSX-R deletes all accessories, retuned suspension, and lightness. Prior to demise in production Honda released the NSX-R GT, with snorkel air-scoops, much lighter, additional carbon fibre some aero parts etc.
Honda also released Alex Zanardi edition (as Acura NSX) to celebrate the success 2 wins in CART from 1997 to 1998.
Production ceased in 2005. Afterwards, Honda went to development for the second-gen. In 2010, Honda revealed the HSV-010 GT (only for track car) which was a basis for second-gen, 2012 concept version unveiled at NAIAS, and the 2015 concept serves as a finalised for production version. Production began in 2016. The NC1 NSX comes with 9-speed flappy paddle gearbox, 3.5-litre twin-turbocharged V6, AWD (as SH-AWD; Honda's 4WD system), etc. NC1 NSX has a mixed reception but some praising with hybrid and innovative technology.
In 2022, the car was permanently discontinued from production with the latest Type S model.
Appearances[]
- On Original Top Gear, Tiff Needell tests the 1st generation NSX in a 1990 episode, driving a left-hand drive version. In Series 39, the 3.2 litre model with 6-speed manual gearbox, was tested by Vicki Butler-Henderson, comparing it against the Venturi 300 Atlantique, with both cars sharing similar horsepower figures and top speed.
- In Apocalypse Clarkson, in his test to find the best handling car of all time, Jeremy drives the NSX, impressed with it's sheer levels of grip and handling.
- In Clarkson's Car Years, "How Japan Took over the World............and then Lost It" Jeremy explains, how despite it's trying, the NSX was essentially, yet another copy of a European car, a Ferrari.
- In Series 1, Episode 6, Black Stig takes the NSX around the Top Gear Test Track in the wet, and sets a moderate time of 1:33.7.
- In Series 2, Episode 3, the NSX is pitted against the Ferrari 360, the Porsche 911 Turbo, the Chevrolet Corvette C5, the Venturi Atlantique and the old nitrous powered Jaguar XJ-S in a race of the nations. It ends up beating the Corvette and the Atlantique but looses to the Ferrari and the Porsche, on one count beating the Jag and on another losing.
- In Series 3, Episode 9, Richard reviews the new NSX Type R alongside the Civic Type R at the Top Gear Test Track. While he praises the cars speed, excitement and handling, he criticizes its expensive price and the fact, it never quite was a Ferrari, concluding that Honda should retire the car. The Stig then takes the NSX around a wet track in 1:31.7.
- In Series 4, Episode 10, in Richard's review of the latest Corvette, the NSX takes part in a drag race, beating both the Corvette and a Porsche 911 but losing to a TVR T350C.
- In Series 7, Episode 6, Jeremy uses an NSX across Laguna Seca to see if he could go faster on a PlayStation than in real life. He failed to do so, despite hoping the challenge would pay tribute to the recently discontinued NSX, praising it's steering and VTEC engine sound.
- In Series 23, Episode 6, Harris heads to the Moticello Motorclub to test the all-new NSX. Despite criticizing the interior and price, he praises the car's speed, handling, drive and technology. At the hands of the Stig the NSX, sets a time of 1:17.6 round the Top Gear Test Track.
- In Berks to the Future, May heads to the Eboladrome to drive the all new NSX. Despite initial reserves, he massively praises the NSX for its technology, handling, speed, braking, feel and value, stating that "it's worth successor". The American, then sets a wet lap of 1:26.0 round the Eboladrome.
- In "American Made" Ford tests the all new NSX, which sets a time of 1:08.80.
- In Past, present or future, May championed the hybrid-powered NSX (Present) against Clarkson in a Lamborghini Aventador S (Past) and Hammond in a Rimac Concept One (Future). Despite May's praise, the NSX loses to both the Aventador and Rimac in a drag race and a hill climb.
- In Series 28, Episode 6, the new NSX is seen as an better alternative supercar to the BMW M8 alongside an Audi R8.