Honda NSX, a head of its time

Honda never stops evolving, but we will always remember one of the most iconic models in automotive history: the Honda NSX. The origins of the Honda NSX date back to the 1980s. At that time, Honda engines, both in Formula 1 and MotoGP, were winning everything on the track. Would it be possible to design a prestigious sports car to drive through the streets of any city?

The answer, of course, we know. In February 1989, a pre-production model was unveiled under the name Acura NS-X. A sports car that challenged the competition and made horses and bulls tremble… with its own technology and design, exclusive innovations and the famous aluminium monocoque. The result was a road car inspired by solutions drawn from Honda’s experience in Formula 1.

A challenge: aluminium

The brand itself says that “we turn dreams into challenges,” and it set out to put its motto into practice with an aluminium monocoque. It was a true engineering milestone, considering that 40 years have passed and that this is a material that is complex to both weld and stamp. Admittedly, aluminium offered low weight and did not rust, advantages that were undoubtedly an incentive to overcome the drawbacks.

Beyond the material, the engine of the NSX did not go unnoticed either. A V6 powerplant mounted mid-engine, transversely, with three litres of displacement and 24 valves. There is no need to mention the material of the engine… What deserves to be remembered is its top speed: 270 km/h.

Some nineteen thousand units of the first generation were built until 2005. Today, they are coveted collector’s pieces. A decade later, the second generation arrived: a hybrid supercar with a twin-turbo 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine and 3 electric motors, intelligent all-wheel drive and a combined output of 581 CV, but that is another story.