It’s been a good 30 years since a rear-midship sports prototype transformed Honda from a manufacturer of safe, dependable hatchbacks into a world-beater that could take on Ferrari at its own game – and win. Yes, we’re talking about the NSX, which made its debut at the 1989 Chicago Auto Show.
In what would be remembered as a landmark show for Japanese performance enthusiasts, Honda showcased a pre-production version, then named the NS-X and wearing the badge of the then-nascent Acura luxury brand, at the Windy City. To celebrate the occasion, Acura released a video depicting the 1991 original alongside the latest NSX, incorporating previously unseen imagery from the concept’s unveiling.
The NSX’s back story is well known. It was benchmarked against Maranello’s best at the time, and was designed to offer unrivalled performance whilst retaining the comfort and usability that Honda was known for. It featured the world’s first all-aluminium monocoque and was developed with the input of a certain Ayrton Senna – the Brazilian’s remarks about a lack of rigidity resulted in the finished product being 50% stiffer.
But Acura also revealed a few lesser-known facts about the car, including the fact that the sports car programme originated from Honda’s desire to improve the packaging of its front-wheel drive vehicles. This 1984 project even resulted in a mid-engined prototype based on the first-generation Honda City – yes, that little tyke of a car with round headlights, not the Jazz-based sedan – before the whole thing was shelved.
It was also revealed that the VTEC system inside the NSX’s 270 hp 3.0 litre naturally-aspirated V6 was a last-minute addition, thanks to an inquiry by Honda’s then-president Tadashi Kume. The variable valve timing and lift system was originally designed for four-cylinder applications, and the redevelopment of the six-pot unit made it wider, requiring a longer wheelbase compared to the Chicago concept.
The latest NSX is a whole different beast – a four-wheel drive performance hybrid that combines a 500 hp 3.5 litre twin-turbocharged V6, a mid-mounted electric motor, two more motors at the front and a nine-speed dual clutch transmission, altogether producing 573 hp. There’s also mixed-material body utilising aluminium, steel and carbon fibre in its construction, along with magnetorheological dampers. A tech fest, indeed.
You can read our retrospective look at the original Honda NSX here.
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- 1st Generation NSX & 2019 NSX
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- 1st Generation NSX & 2019 NSX
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- 1st Generation NSX & 2019 NSX
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- 1st Generation NSX & 2019 NSX
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- 1st Generation NSX & 2019 NSX
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- 1st Generation NSX & 2019 NSX
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- 1st Generation NSX & 2019 NSX
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- 1st Generation NSX & 2019 NSX
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- 1st Generation NSX & 2019 NSX
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- 1st Generation NSX & 2019 NSX
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- 1st Generation NSX & 2019 NSX
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- 1st Generation NSX & 2019 NSX
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- 1st Generation NSX & 2019 NSX
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- 1st Generation NSX & 2019 NSX
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- 1st Generation NSX & 2019 NSX
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- 1st Generation NSX & 2019 NSX
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- 1st Generation NSX & 2019 NSX
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- 1st Generation NSX & 2019 NSX
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- 1st Generation NSX & 2019 NSX
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- 1st Generation NSX & 2019 NSX
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- 1st Generation NSX & 2019 NSX
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- 1st Generation NSX & 2019 NSX
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- 1st Generation NSX & 2019 NSX
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- 1st Generation NSX & 2019 NSX
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- 1st Generation NSX & 2019 NSX
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- 1st Generation NSX & 2019 NSX
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- 1st Generation NSX & 2019 NSX
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- 1st Generation NSX & 2019 NSX
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- 1st Generation NSX & 2019 NSX
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- 1st Generation NSX & 2019 NSX
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- 1st Generation NSX & 2019 NSX
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- 1st Generation NSX & 2019 NSX
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- 1st Generation NSX & 2019 NSX
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- 1st Generation NSX & 2019 NSX
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GALLERY: 1989 Acura NS-X concept
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- Acura NS-X Concept
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- Acura NS-X Concept
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- Acura NS-X Concept
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- Acura NS-X Concept
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- NS-X at 1989 Chicago Auto Show
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- NS-X at 1989 Chicago Auto Show
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- NS-X at 1989 Chicago Auto Show
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- NS-X at 1989 Chicago Auto Show
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- NS-X at 1989 Chicago Auto Show
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- NS-X at 1989 Chicago Auto Show
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- NSX Launch
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- NSX Launch
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- NSX Launch
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- NSX Launch
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- NSX Launch
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- NSX Launch
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- NSX Launch
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- Original NSX Sketch
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- Original NSX Sketch
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- Original NSX Sketch
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- Original NSX Sketch
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- Original NSX Sketch
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- Original NSX Sketch
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- Original NSX Sketch
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- Original NSX Sketch
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- Original NSX Sketch
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- Original NSX Sketch
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- Original NSX Sketch
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- Original NSX Sketch
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- Original NSX Sketch
Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.
Supra celebrating too!! With new BMW engine
The old NSX current value is now up to RM1 mil. They have become collector items. In Malaysia, many collectors are waiting to buy the NSX for this amount without a second thought.
This is why it is worth buying good cars that go up in value when they age. Japanese and German cars also have a collectible value
Not really. Only the Type R NSX goes up in prices but it only goes so much. The contemporary F355 Challenge is the better buy with much higher resale value, since it’s not a Japanese. Regular NSX still depreciates like normal though most are adamant to buy them due to their high maintenance requirements & expenses.
Proton also celebrating…..with China engine!
The ultimate ferrari slayer ,
The NSX destroyed the contemporary 348 and forced Ferrari to up its supercar game. The result was the beautiful F355.
Unfortunately, Honda didn’t upgrade the original NSX to counter the F355 (which obviously outperformed the Honda). In theory, Honda could have easily upgrade the original NSX to match or even beat the performance of the F355 (and the subsequent 360 Modena). But apparently the sales volume of the original NSX didn’t justify this – the result of badge snobbery, as most people would rather be in a Ferrari or Porsche exotic sportscars at that time..
The Nissan GTR and the Honda NSX have given Porsche and Ferrari a run for the money.
The Japanese are hardworking. Always trying to improve their products. This is why they can beat Italians Ferrari and Lamborghini just like that.
Hard work pays. They don’t just rest on their laurels waiting for bantuan kerajaan.
I hope the day will come when we can also slay a car company. Don’t know why our cars cannot lawan any car worldwide.
These NSX look more menacing in Championship White
True, but that colour is reserved for Type R models. And there’s no Type R of the new one yet.
Too bad new NSX is Acura branded US market only model.
You’re forgetting about the Honda-badged model that is sold in the rest of the world.
Well, everywhere but us, at least.
Bummer. Too bad reception is much cooler even with AP dealers here. For that same price alredi can get a Felali or Lambo. It no longer has the price advantage that the ori NSX had.
Too bad new X70 is Proton branded MY market only model. Habisla Proton!€
Too bad Honda CRV. Proton X70 becoming best top selling model than CRV. Habisla Honda
The whole world has seen Honda NSX. I have not heard that Acura only produces NSX
A little knowledge won’t make you sound so silly (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Acura_NSX_at_NAIAS_2012.jpg)
See, Honda uses 9 speed GB in NSX. In US, they uses 10 speed GB in Accord. Here in Malaysia, they give us CVT (in other cars, our Accord still with 5 speed). I would pick CRV anytime over X70 if they put at least 6 speed GB in the CRV. I’m not even a Proton fan. CVT is good in fuel consumption. But sudden acceleration in emergency (e.g. during take over) is poor. Sound like vacuum cleaner too. Honda Malaysia even move from 5 speed GB to CVT in our CRV here.
That ori NSX 3.0 V6 VTEC is classic gem now.
1st gen NSX with late Ayrton Senna magical touch is a legend.
2nd gen NSX has been named many times by car blogs as the slowest supercar even produced on earth.
Thanks for the nice old publicity photos of the original NSX. Still looks great as the first time I saw it at the KL Motorshow sometime in the early 90s. The new NSX looks great too, until you open the door. The dash does not inspire fast driving and totally lacks storage space. This is supposed to be an everyday supercar after all. I do hope Honda/Acura quickly restyles the interior. And maybe loose some weight too.