View source for Honda NSX

{{Redirect|Acura NSX|other uses|NSX (disambiguation)}}
{{Use British English|date= October 2025}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2019}}
{{Short description|Two-seater sports car manufactured by Honda}}
{{Infobox automobile
| name = Honda NSX
| image = AcuraNSX-05-cropped.jpg
| caption = Acura NSX (first generation, NA2) along with some NA1 NSX cars
| manufacturer = [[Honda]]
| aka = Acura NSX (North America)
| production = 1990–2006 (NA1/2)<br />2016–2022 (NC1/2)
| class = [[Sports car]] ([[S-segment|S]])
| model_years = 1991–2006<br />2017–2023
}}
The '''Honda NSX''' (sold in North America as the '''Acura NSX''') is a two-seater [[sports car]] manufactured by [[Honda]] over two generations. The first generation was produced from 1990 until 2006, whilst the second generation was made from 2016 to 2022. The first generation was introduced as a two-door [[coupé]], with a two-door [[targa top]] variant later added, and has a [[rear mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout]]. The second generation is only a coupé, and has a [[rear mid-engine, all-wheel-drive layout]]. The first generation has a [[transverse engine|transversely]]-mounted [[naturally-aspirated engine|naturally-aspirated]] engine with a [[V6 engine|V6 configuration]], whilst the second generation has a [[twin-turbocharged]] V6 engine supplemented by multiple [[electric motor]]s in a [[hybrid electric vehicle|petrol-electric hybrid]] drivetrain.

The origins of the NSX can be traced back to 1984, with the '''HP-X''' (Honda [[Pininfarina]] eXperimental) concept,<ref>{{cite web |title=Honda HP-X |work=History and Models – Pininfarina Models |publisher=Pininfarina |url=http://www.pininfarina.com/index/storiaModelli/modelli.html?scheda.php?id=36&cmp=anno&ord=desc&sl=0&ids=1a6cbefaafe007a7d9b765f7b345b49f |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927010111/http://www.pininfarina.com/index/storiaModelli/modelli.html?scheda.php%3Fid=36&cmp=anno&ord=desc&sl=0&ids=1a6cbefaafe007a7d9b765f7b345b49f |url-status=dead |archive-date=27 September 2007 |access-date=5 September 2007  }}</ref> for a {{cvt|3.0|L|cuin|}} [[V6 engine|V6]] rear mid-engine, [[rear-wheel drive]] sports car. Honda, with the intention of meeting or exceeding the performance of the then [[V8 engine]] [[Ferrari]] range, committed to the project, aiming at both reliability and a lower price. The concept evolved and had its name changed to '''NS-X''', which stood for "'''N'''ew", "'''S'''portscar" "e'''X'''perimental",<ref name="Official history of NSX">{{cite web|url=http://world.honda.com/history/challenge/1990thensx/index.html|title=The NSX|publisher=Honda|access-date=13 January 2015}}</ref> although the production model launched as the '''NSX'''.

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== First generation (NA1/2; 1990–2006) ==
{{Main|Honda NSX (first generation)}}
[[File:Honda NSX 1993 Castle Hedingham 2008.JPG|thumb|left|Honda NSX, pre-facelift, NA1]]
[[File:1995 Honda NSX Type R Rear.jpg|thumb|right|Rear view of Honda NSX Type R (NA1, UK)]]
The NSX was designed by a team led by Chief Designer Masahito Nakano and Executive Chief Engineer [[Shigeru Uehara]]. It benefited from advanced [[aerodynamics]] and styling inspired by the [[F-16 Fighting Falcon|F-16]] fighter jet [[cockpit]]<ref>{{cite web|url = http://world.honda.com/news/2005/4050712.html|title = Honda Worldwide &#124; July 12, 2005 "Honda to Discontinue Production of the NSX Sports Car"|publisher = World.honda.com|date = 12 July 2005|access-date = 3 October 2010|url-status = dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110413071105/http://world.honda.com/news/2005/4050712.html|archive-date = 13 April 2011|df = mdy-all}}</ref> as well as input, during the final development stages, from [[Formula One]] World Champion [[Ayrton Senna]].

The NSX was the first general production car to feature an all-[[Aluminium alloy|aluminium]] [[Semimonocoque|semi-monocoque]].<ref name="AutoMotoruSport199124">{{Cite journal|url=https://www.auto-motor-und-sport.de/marken-modelle/honda/nsx/|title =Honda NSX|journal = [[Auto, Motor und Sport]]|date =4 March 2016|language = de |access-date=28 March 2024}}</ref> It was powered by an all-aluminium 3.0&nbsp;L [[V6 engine]], which featured Honda's [[VTEC]] (Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control) system developed in the 1980s, a 5-speed manual transmission, or starting in 1994 the SportShift 4-speed automatic transmission, also known as F-Matic, which allows the option of conventional automatic shifting or manually shifting with a fingertip shift lever on the steering column.<ref>{{cite web |title=1995 Acura NSX/NSX-T -- Powertrain |url=http://www.hondanews.com/channels/acura-automobiles/releases/1995-acura-nsx-nsx-t-powertrain?l=en-US&mode=print |website=hondanews.com |access-date=4 September 2018 |archive-date=5 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180905023142/http://www.hondanews.com/channels/acura-automobiles/releases/1995-acura-nsx-nsx-t-powertrain?l=en-US&mode=print |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Neve |first=Esther |title=Buying guide: the original Honda NSX |url=https://www.topgear.com/car-news/tgs-guide-japan/buying-guide-original-honda-nsx#1 |website=Top Gear |date=14 March 2016 |access-date=23 November 2018}}</ref>

The car was presented at the 1989 [[Chicago Auto Show]]. Production started in a purpose-made factory in Japan,{{cn|date=December 2023}} for sale from 1990. It was originally available as a ''[[coupé]]'', then, from 1995 onwards, as a [[targa top]], and also included variable electric power-assisted steering system for all drivetrains <ref>{{cite web |title=1995 Acura NSX/NSX-T Press Kit |url=https://hondanews.com/en-US/releases/release-b0d1dd782a56b2b52f910a004c34c9f7-1995-acura-nsx-nsx-t-introduction#:~:text=Prior%20to%20the%201995%20model,electric%20power%2Dassisted%20steering%20system.&text=To%20further%20reduce%20unsprung%20weight,are%207%20x%2016%20inches.&text=The%20suspension%20engineers%2C%20working%20in,predictable%20reaction%20to%20steering%20input. |website=Honda News |access-date=29 October 2025}}</ref>. It underwent a performance update in 1997, which saw the arrival of a larger 3.2&nbsp;L V6 engine,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://workshop-manuals.com/acura/nsx/v6-3.2l_dohc_(vtec)/relays_and_modules/relays_and_modules_accessories_and_optional_equipment/alarm_module_(vehicle_antitheft)/component_information/locations/|title=Acura (Honda) Workshop Service and Repair Manuals > NSX V6-3.2L DOHC (VTEC) (1997) > Relays and Modules > Relays and Modules - Accessories and Optional Equipment > Alarm Module, (Vehicle Antitheft) > Component Information > Locations|website=workshop-manuals.com|accessdate=9 June 2023}}</ref> and a facelift in 2002 where the [[Hidden headlamp|pop-up headlights]] were replaced with fixed headlights. The first-generation NSX was discontinued in december 2005. North American models were sold as the Acura NSX. The rarity is that only less than 20,000 were made making it highly expensive.

Pre-facelift cars (1991-2001) are widely referred to as NA1 models, while the facelifted cars (2002-2006) are best known as NA2 models.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nsxprime.com/nsx-faq/nsx-vin-information/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131201185611/http://www.nsxprime.com/nsx-faq/nsx-vin-information/|url-status=dead|archive-date=1 December 2013|title=NSX VIN information|accessdate=9 June 2023}}</ref>

===North American sales figures===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year !! USA<ref>[https://www.nsxprime.com/wiki/File:US_NSX_Sales.pdf US NSX Sales] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210828163237/https://www.nsxprime.com/wiki/File:US_NSX_Sales.pdf |date=28 August 2021 }} </ref> !! Canada<ref>[https://www.nsxprime.com/wiki/File:Canadian_NSX_Sales.pdf Canada NSX Sales] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210828163303/https://www.nsxprime.com/wiki/File:Canadian_NSX_Sales.pdf |date=28 August 2021 }} </ref>
|-
| 1990 || 1,119 || 156
|-
| 1991 || 1,940 || 253
|-
| 1992 || 1,154 || 91
|-
| 1993 || 652 || 64
|-
| 1994 || 533 || 31
|-
| 1995 || 884 || 38
|-
| 1996 || 460 || 16
|-
| 1997 || 415 || 13
|-
| 1998 || 303 || 10
|-
| 1999 || 238 || 5
|-
| 2000 || 221 || 6
|-
| 2001 || 182 || 4
|-
| 2002 || 233 || 3
|-
| 2003 || 221 || 2
|-
| 2004 || 178 || 6
|-
| 2005 || 206 || 1
|-
| 2006 || 60 || 2
|}

== Second generation (NC1/2; 2016–2022) ==
{{Main|Honda NSX (second generation)}}

[[File:FoS20162016 0625 151036AA (27826100631).jpg|thumb|left|Honda NSX]]

[[File:2018 Rolex 24 (41267383881).jpg|thumb|left|Acura NSX]]

In December 2007, Acura announced plans to launch a NSX successor by 2010, based on the styling of the front [[V10 engine|V10-engined]] '''Acura ASCC''' (Advanced Sports Car Concept).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://jalopnik.com/cars/concept-cars/detroit-auto-show-acura-advanced-sports-car-concept-227098.php |title=Detroit Auto Show: Acura Advanced Sports Car Concept |last=Spinelli |first=Mike |date=8 January 2007 |work=[[Jalopnik]] |publisher=[[Gawker Media]] |access-date=28 March 2024}}</ref> Despite prototypes being tested for production, Honda announced, just one year later, that production plans had been canceled due to "poor economic conditions."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.leftlanenews.com/acura-nsx-cancelled.html |title=Acura NSX Cancelled; Honda Slashes Forecast |last=Aziz |first=Nick |date=17 December 2008 |work=LeftLane News |publisher=MNM Media, LLC |access-date=17 December 2008 |archive-date=7 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180807033151/https://www.leftlanenews.com/acura-nsx-cancelled.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> Instead, in March 2010, Honda unveiled the [[Honda HSV-010 GT|HSV-010 GT]] that participated in the Japanese Super GT Championship. The HSV-010 GT never reached production as a street-legal car.

Reports that Honda was again developing a successor to the NSX re-emerged in April 2011.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://rumors.automobilemag.com/revival-part-deux-honda-president-dishes-new-nsx-successor-42779.html |title=Revival, Part Deux: Honda President Dishes on New NSX Successor |last=Holmes |first=Jake |date=25 April 2011 |work=[[Automobile (magazine)|Automobile]] |publisher=[[TEN: The Enthusiast Network]] |access-date=25 April 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131213162618/http://rumors.automobilemag.com/revival-part-deux-honda-president-dishes-new-nsx-successor-42779.html |archive-date=13 December 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> By December 2011, Honda officially announced a [[Honda NSX (second generation)|second-generation NSX]] concept, which was unveiled the following month at the 2012 [[North American International Auto Show]] as the '''Acura NSX Concept'''.

The production model was displayed three years later at the 2015 North American International Auto Show, for and was released for sale in 2016. 

Although the original name was retained, this time it was defined as "'''N'''ew '''S'''ports e'''X'''perience".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.wemotor.com/blog/2015/01/2016-honda-nsx-shown-production-form-naias/ |title=2016 Honda NSX Shown in Production Form at NAIAS |last=Mukminin |first=Amirul |date=13 January 2015 |publisher=wemotor.com |access-date=25 January 2016 |archive-date=13 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190413210503/https://www.wemotor.com/blog/2015/01/2016-honda-nsx-shown-production-form-naias/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Unlike the first-generation NSX which was manufactured in Japan, the second-generation NSX was designed and engineered in [[Marysville, Ohio]], at Honda's plant, led by Chief Engineer Ted Klaus.

The second-generation NSX has a [[hybrid electric car|hybrid electric]] [[powertrain]], with a 3.5&nbsp;L [[twin-turbocharged]] [[V6 engine]] and three electric motors, two of which form part of the [[SH-AWD]] (Super Handling-All Wheel Drive) drivetrain, altogether capable of {{convert|573|hp|kW PS|0|abbr=on}}. The transmission is a 9-speed [[Dual-clutch transmission|dual-clutch]] [[Automatic transmission|automatic]]. The car's  body utilizes a [[space frame]] design, which is made from aluminium, ultra-high-strength steel, and other rigid and lightweight materials, some of which are the world's first applications.

The first production vehicle with VIN #001 was auctioned off by Barrett Jackson on 29 January 2016.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.barrett-jackson.com/Media/Home/Reader/barrett-jackson-to-auction-2017-acura-nsx-vin-001-for-charity-at-45th-anniversary-scottsdale-auction/ |title=Barrett-Jackson yo Auction 2017 Acura NSX VIN #001 for Charity at 45th Anniversary Scottsdale Auction |date=18 December 2015 |publisher=[[Barrett-Jackson]] |access-date=26 February 2016}}</ref> [[NASCAR]] team owner [[Rick Hendrick]] won the auction with a bid for {{currency|1,200,000|USD|linked=no}}. The entire bid was donated to the charities Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation and Camp Southern Ground.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://artofgears.com/2016/01/29/first-2017-acura-nsx-sells-for-1200000-at-barrett-jackson/ |title=First 2017 Acura NSX Sells for $1.2 Million at Barrett-Jackson |last=Acoba |first=Paulo |work=Art of Gears |date=29 January 2016 |access-date=28 March 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/news/a28041/first-nsx-sells-auction/ |title=The First 2017 Acura NSX Sells for $1.2 Million at Auction |last=Perkins |first=Chris |date=30 January 2016 |work=[[Road & Track]]  |access-date=26 February 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1102137_first-2017-acura-nsx-sells-for-1-2-million-at-charity-auction |title=First 2017 Acura NSX Sells for $1.2 Million at Charity Auction |last=Vijayenthiran |first=Viknesh |date=30 January 2016 |work=Motor Authority |publisher=High Gear Media |access-date=26 February 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.torquenews.com/1574/2017-acura-nsx-vin-001-be-auctioned-charity-january-29 |title=2017 Acura NSX VIN #001 to be Auctioned for Charity January 29 |last=McCants |first=Parks |date=20 January 2016 |work=TorqueNews.com |publisher=Hareyan Publishing |access-date=26 February 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/car-news/industry-news/honda/first-2016-honda-nsx-production-model-sells-for-12m-/ |title=First Production 2016 Honda NSX Sells for $1.2m |last=Taylor |first=James |date=2 February 2016 |work=[[Car (magazine)|Car]]  |access-date=26 February 2016}}</ref> 

The first NSX rolled off the production line in Ohio on 27 May 2016 and Hendrick was there to drive it off.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.androidcentral.com/first-2017-acura-nsx-rolls-line-and-itll-get-android-auto|title=First 2017 Acura NSX rolls off the line (and it'll get Android Auto!)|date=26 May 2016|website=Android Central|access-date=28 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190415084455/https://www.androidcentral.com/first-2017-acura-nsx-rolls-line-and-itll-get-android-auto|archive-date=15 April 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.techtimes.com/articles/161396/20160527/honda-unleashes-the-first-2017-acura-nsx-supercar-calm-yourselves-autophiles.htm|title=Honda Unleashes The First 2017 Acura NSX Supercar: Calm Yourselves, Autophiles|date=27 May 2016|website=Tech Times|access-date=28 May 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.autoblog.com/2016/05/27/recap-5-27-16-autoblog-minute/|title=2017 Acura NSX #001 is finally here {{!}} Autoblog Minute|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->|website=Autoblog|date=27 May 2016 |access-date=28 May 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/cars/2016/05/24/honda-rolls-out-first-acura-nsx-supercar-ohio-factory/84876982/|title=Honda rolls out first Acura NSX supercar in Ohio factory|website=USA TODAY|access-date=28 May 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/prepare-yourselves-the-first-2017-acura-nsx-is-out-in-the-wild/|title=Prepare yourselves: The first 2017 Acura NSX is out in the wild - Roadshow|website=Roadshow|access-date=28 May 2016}}</ref> The first sales of the second-generation NSX in the US were registered in June 2016.

The NSX Type S was revealed on August 12, 2021, with an increase to 602 hp. The Type S is the last update before the November 2022 discontinuation. 300 units only of the NSX Type S were destined for the United States, with 30 units for Japan, and 15 units for Canada.<ref>{{Cite web|last1=V|first1=Dave|last2=erWerp|date=2021-08-12|title=2022 Acura NSX Type S Sends Off the Second-Generation Sports Car with 600 HP|url=https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a37293552/2022-acura-nsx-type-s-revealed/|access-date=2021-08-13|website=Car and Driver|language=en-US}}</ref>

=== U.S. and European sales figures ===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+
!Year !! USA<ref>{{cite web| url = https://carsalesbase.com/us-acura-nsx/| title = Acura NSX U.S Sales Figures| date = 29 October 2015}} </ref> !! Europe<ref>{{cite web| url = https://carsalesbase.com/europe-honda-nsx/| title = Honda NSX European sales figures| date = 29 January 2014}} </ref>
|-
|2016 || 269 || 0
|-
|2017 || 581 || 126
|-
|2018 || 170 || 45
|-
|2019 || 238 || 36
|-
|2020 || 128 || 8
|-
|2021 || 124 || 3
|-
|Total || 1,510 || 218
|-
|}
{{Clear}}

==References==
{{Reflist|40em}}

{{Modern Honda vehicles}}
{{Acura}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Honda Nsx}}
[[Category:Honda vehicles|NSX]]
[[Category:Sports cars]]
[[Category:Rear mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive vehicles]]
[[Category:Cars introduced in 1990]]
[[Category:Cars discontinued in 2022]]
[[Category:24 Hours of Le Mans race cars]]
[[Category:All-wheel-drive vehicles]]
[[Category:Hybrid electric cars]]
[[Category:2000s cars]]
[[Category:2010s cars]]
[[Category:2020s cars]]