With the NSX model, Honda very boldly ventured into the super sports category, where it was always unthinkable that someone would dethrone the Italian dominance. But that's exactly what the NSX type partially succeeded in…
The Supersport NSX has the classic mid-engine, rear-wheel drive concept. Plans for its creation date back to 1984, and low-volume engines were originally considered. In the end, even the resulting three-liter six-cylinder engine has a rather below-average volume. But even that didn't stop the NSX from being fully competitive for the Italians. The engine had a VTEC system and reached 300 horsepower. In addition, they learned from Colin Chapman's slogan at Honda and made the car as light as possible, for example using reinforced aluminum profiles. Low weight ensures better handling, and a lighter car needs less power for the same speed. The Honda designers did not exceed 1300 kg, which is a great value for a supersport. Ayrton Senna's role in the development of the car cannot be overlooked. At the time, he was competing in the McLaren Honda Formula 1 team and was tasked with assisting in the development of a new supersport. Senna, for example, completely tuned the entire chassis of the car. And the fact that he was satisfied with his work is evidenced by the fact that he himself owned 3 pieces of the NSX type. The first model was then produced until 1996. There was also a more powerful and stiffer version of the NSX-R for the Japanese market, which, like the regular version, had a five-speed gearbox. You could only have the automatic in the American version (sold under the name Acura NSX ), but it was banned for the R models.
In the following year, the second generation came to the market, although in fact it was a thorough facelift . However, the new model received a larger engine with a volume of 3.2 liters. Surprisingly, the car had lower performance even with a larger engine. The intake and exhaust pipes were completely redesigned. From the outside, you can recognize the newer model by the new front headlights, which are no longer hinged. The sportier NSX-R model now got a six-speed gearbox and weighed around 1230 kg. However, the popularity of the newer model was even worse than the original one. Even the car manufacturer's offer to completely restore their cars to their original condition did not work. And even the targa version with a removable roof panel, which could be purchased by American customers, could not reverse the inexorable statistics, and so the great car disappeared from the automaker's offer in 2006. Now it is possible that we will see a hybrid successor , which will hopefully be more popular than its predecessor. However, early NSX models are rising in price and becoming a good collector's item.
During its career, the NSX was called the poor man's Ferrari. That's because of a third of the price compared to Italian super sports. The catch was that the NSX had no problem overtaking the aforementioned Ferrari. Honda also modified it in collaboration with Mugen for Japanese racetracks.
Photo: Autowp
