2019 Acura NSX debuts at Monterey – revised styling, more equipment; from RM645,251 in the United States

The 2019 Acura NSX – or Honda, to the rest of us outside North America – has made its debut at Monterey Car week, and it brings updates to its exterior, interior and equipment in this latest iteration. The second-generation, hybrid-powered NSX has seen more than 1,900 units (across the 2017 and 2018 model years) distributed worldwide, with nearly 1,000 of these delivered in the United States.

Up at the sharp end, the latest NSX features a new grille garnish which is now body-coloured, compared to the silver item from before, while the grille surround, front air intake mesh and rear bumper outlet mesh gain high-gloss treatments as well. The available carbon-fibre decklid spoiler and carbon-fibre exterior package includes a front chin spoiler, side sill garnish and rear diffuser, which all also gain a high-gloss finish.

Inside, the NSX interior gains Indigo Blue as an optional colourway, which is applied to semi-aniline leather and Alcantara upholstery. Powered sports seats are now standard equipment (previously a US$1,500, or RM6,145 option), and can be optionally specified in Red as well as Ebony. Lightweight, manually-adjustable sports seats trimmed in Black Milano leather and Alcantara remain as no-cost options.

On the chassis side of things, larger front and rear stabiliser bars boast of increased stiffness with gains of 26% and 19% respectively, while rear toe link bushings are now 21% stiffer, and rear hub rigidity has increased by 6%.

The 2019 car’s SH-AWD power unit, active magnetorheologial dampers, electric power steering and vehicle stability assist system all gain new software calibrations.

Meanwhile, the optional carbon-ceramic brake system can now be specified with orange calipers, while the iron disc setup can be optioned with red calipers. New, grippier tyres aid in the NSX’s improved roadholding, featuring new Continental ContiSportContact 6 tyres which replace the outgoing ContiSportContact 5P.

The CSC 6 has a new tread pattern, construction and rubber compound for improved handling in all conditions including wet-weather driving, says Acura, while the more trackday-focused among its customers can have the Pirelli Trofeo R tyres as a dealer-fit option. The new componentry and calibration help improve the NSX’s on-limit handling, which allows its driver to “more precisely modulate understeer and oversteer with subtle throttle inputs,” says the marque.

This results in a laptime improvement of nearly two seconds at the Suzuka Circuit in Japan, the company adds. This is attained with the unchanged powertrain’s total output of 573 hp and 645 Nm of torque. As before, a 3.5 litre DOHC twin-turbo petrol V6 drives the rear wheels via a nine-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, which has a Direct Drive Motor between them. Handing the front are two more motors that are part of the NSX’s Twin Motor Unit (TMU).

Despite the US$1,500 (RM6,143) hike in staring price relative to the 2018-model year Acura NSX, the updated 2019 model – now starting from US$157,500 (RM645,041) brings US$4,700 (RM19,249) worth of previously optional equipment now as standard, which include satellite navigation, ELS Studio premium audio system, front and rear proximity sensors and aluminium sports pedals.

Here as with the previous iteration, Acura NSX ownership can be kicked off with the NSX Insider Experience, a personalised programme which enables soon-to-be owners to take part in the making of their very own NSX.

Offered in various packages with tour options, these can be tailored to include a tour of the Honda Heritage Center, Anna Engine Plant as well as the Performance Manufacturing Center (PMC) where the Acura NSX is made, along with performance driving experience packages conducted at the Acura Proving Grounds.

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