The Honda NSX is probably Japan’s first and only world class supercar to date. It was Honda’s first attempt at the exotic-car segment characterized by low-slung 2-seaters, often mid engined and ultra-fast with the rarity and price-tag to match.
Starting on a clean sheet of paper, Honda dug deep into its Formula-one racing experience and utilize its talents of the best think-tanks to develop what they would have us to believe is the true blue supercar. The great Ayrton Senna is involved in fine-tuning the car which probably explained why the NSX were still on the market for 15 long years. Heard this car is produced in memorium of the late Ayrton Senna. If Ayrton had been alive I think we would by right offered the 3rd generation NSX since a typical Japanese model change is 5 years old.
The NSX rook over 6 years and unlimited budget to develop. The NSX were developed to rub-shoulders with Ferrari and Porsche. To maintain its exclusivity, only 25 units were hand-built at Honda Tochigi plant each day. The NSX looks 100% like supercar but without the limited visibility and the temperament. It was comfortable at home in highways as well as for town use. It is used as an everyday car by Gordon Murray, McLaren F1 designer
(The following paragraphs were sourced from the now defunct “Highway Malaysia, August 1994” issue by Lionel Seah).
Honda created history by being the first mass producer to extensively use aluminium monocoque body
Aluminium not only resist rust but it is extremely light as well. In fact the whole body shell weights only 210kgs. Even the double-wishbone suspension sub-frames are forged in Aluminium. The result? The NSX weights 1370kgs only. These figures may be common in Honda Accord but it’s definitely lightweight by supercar standards. In 1994, Honda produced an even more lightweight version called “NSX-R” as an answer to Porsche Carrera RS.
The engine consists of a compact DOHC V6 3.0 24V engine with Honda’s own VTEC (Variable valve timing and lift electronic control). The results?
It achieved a maximum power of 274hp @ 7300rpm and a torque of 284Nm@5400rpm for the manual and 256hp@6800rpm for the automatic, the maximum torque for the Automatic gearbox is the same as the manual.
(All pictures Source: Motoring Singapore August 1994 issue)
The power delivery of the car is wonderfully smooth and linear, the 0-100km/h is 5.2seconds for manual and 5.7 seconds for Automatic.
By supercar standards, the NSX is a quiet car, at cruising speeds the engine note is barely an audible whirr. The wind noise is well checked even at high speeds. To bring out the glorious addictive sounding noise, just rev the tacho needle towards the redline (at 7300rpm for the manual).
The interior:
The environment befits that of an exotic car as you sit close to the ground, almost straight legged in wonderfully supportive all leather seats. The wonderful thing about the NSX is that there’s no claustrophobia that is typical in supercars. The cabin is plain (see picture), it looks at home in a Honda Legend. Thanks to good outward visibility (compared to other supercars) and generous shoulder room, the driving environment is ideal and with extra space to stretch.
Although there is very little storage compartments, the “boot” behind the engine (the NSX was a mid-engined remember?) car at the rear is enough for a pair of golf bags.
The European car critics may label the NSX as sterile and lacking in character but no one can deny that it is immensely user-friendly and so easy to live with even as an everyday car. It still has the necessary head-turning ability to qualify as a world-class supercar. It is a very civilized yet addictive car (when the VTEC screams at redline).
BRIEF SPECIFICATIONS: HONDA NSX (other than gear ratios, specifications is sourced from “Highway Malaysia, August 1994” issue)
Engine:
Mid-engined V6 DOHC 24V 2977cc EFI with VTEC
Compression ratio: 10:2:1, Aluminium Cylinder head and block
Power:
Max power: 274hp@7300rpm (256hp @ 6800rpm – auto)
Max torque: 284Nm@5400rpm (auto and manual same)
Drivetrain: Rear wheel drive, 5 speed manual (Ratios –NA-) or 4 speed auto.
Ratios for 4 speed auto (source Motoring Aug 94 issue):
1st: 2.611
2nd 1.466
3rd: 1.025
4th: 0.777
Final drive: 4.066
Dimensions and weight:
Length: 4430mm
Width: 1810mm
Height: 1175mm
Wheelbase: 2530mm
Fr track: 1510mm
Rr track 1530mm
Ground clearance: 135mm
Kerb weight: 1370kgs (1410kgs – auto)
Turning circle: 11.6m
Performance:
Top speed: 274km/h (270km/h – auto)
Acceleration 0-100km/h: 5.2 seconds, 5.7 secs - auto)
Fuel consumption:
Fuel tank capacity: 70litres
8.9kms/litre
RPM@100km/h in OD: 2700rpm.
(end of source)
Note that Honda produced a very limited number of NSX type R in 1992 for Japanese markets. Major changes include a more aggressive suspension and an extensive weight reduction to 1230 kg from the normal NSX weight of 1370 kg. The NSX type R was very track oriented as it lacked sound deadening, audio, electric windows, and air conditioning in an effort to reduce weight. A second iteration of the type-R dubbed NSX-R was released in 2002 again exclusively in Japan. The NSX-R has a more aggressive rear spoiler and hood vent, along with various refinements to reduce weight to 1270 kg. Also it came with HiDs and etc...
Update: From 1997 onwards, Honda NSX came with a facelift and a new engine: 290hp V6 3.2 VTEC and 304Nm of torque with 6 speed manual (extra gear ratio). But the Auto is still using 3.0V6 VTEC. In 2002, Honda introduced, NSX Type-R, but restricted for sale in Japan only. Production ended in 2005 after 15 years of manufacturing.
Okay, I’m tempted! How much is a used NSX in Malaysian market today if there’s one on sale?
Being a “supercar”, the NSX is still exclusive and far from reach to the general Malaysian. It is still priced between 168k and 190k for a 1991 model today (averaged 180,000) depends on condition and the urgent-ness to sell the car. It is too pricey and at 15 years old is almost impossible to obtain car loan… Perspective buyer is typically rich and often will pay Cash for it…
Newer models add about 10% each year. Eleven years old is the oldest year to obtain hire purchase (loans) at low interest rates, the price will be around RM270,000 for a 1995 model.
Note that a brand new Imported NSX costs a whooping: RM1,107,485 OTR. Officially imported by Kah Motors back in 1994.
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