The Honda NSX is a two-seat, mid-engine coupe[1] sports automobile made by Honda that is sold in North America as the Acura NSX.
The HP-X (Honda Pininfarina eXperimental)[2] idea, a mid-engine 3.0 L V6 engine rear-wheel drive sports car, is where the NSX got its start in 1984. Honda committed to the project with the goal of providing reliability and a lower price point while matching or surpassing the performance of the Ferrari range’s V8 engines at the time. As a result, the idea changed, and the name was changed to NS-X, which stood for “New,” “Sportscar,” and “eXperimental”[3], despite the fact that the production vehicle was initially introduced as the NSX.
The McLaren F1 supercar’s designer, Gordon Murray, acknowledged that the NSX served as an influence for the F1 after testing a number of high-performance vehicles and discovering that the NSX chassis offered the best performance. The design, according to Murray, was “monumental” for sports car design. He discovered that the vehicle was readily capable of handling additional power and urged Honda to create a more potent engine, but they refused. Murray used a BMW engine to design the F1, but he loved the NSX so much that he bought one for himself and drove it for 75,000 miles. The NSX, according to Murray, is “close to his heart” .[4]
In This Article...
What distinguishes Honda and Acura from one another?
Although it has its unique advantages, Acura is actually a division of Honda. While Honda’s past demonstrates a company that offers a wide variety of everyday automobiles, Acura was used to enter the luxury car market. In reality, Acura played a key role in changing the perception of Japanese cars from being budget-oriented to premium.
What does Acura NSX stand for?
In comparison to the original vehicle, the 2019 Acura NSX (now abbreviated as “New Sports eXperience”) is a radically different animal. First off, there is significantly more power, with a 3.5-liter V6 longitudinally installed and supplemented by three electric motors (two at the front axle, one at the back), two turbochargers, and 476 pound-feet of torque. A nine-speed, dual-clutch transmission controls that power. With all of this, the car can reach 60 mph in three seconds and can reach a high speed of 191 mph, which is 23 mph faster than the first NSX.
Given that it is a hybrid, the new car’s fuel efficiency of 21 city mpg and 22 highway mpg is not terrible and represents an improvement over the old vehicle’s 16/22 city mpg and 22 highway mpg. The modern NSX’s trunk volume is only 4.4 cubic feet, down from the original car’s 5 cubic feet.
The 2005 NSX original, which had the most cutting-edge technology, was limited to a Bose cassette AM/FM audio and a six-disc MP3 CD changer. With a 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, HD radio, and a nine-speaker ELS Studio premium audio system, the new NSX, as you might expect, delivers a big improvement.
The current NSX is far more expensive than its predecessor, which would have cost about $120,000 in today’s dollars after inflation, with a basic price of $157,500 plus $1,800 for destination. The price increase seems reasonable given the amount of performance the current model offers, but many would contend that the new NSX isn’t quite as revolutionary, exceptional, or ground-breaking as the first model. When we can determine whether the resurrected NSX’s used values hold up as well over time as the first-generation model, the top specimens of which can fetch prices nearing $90,000, that claim will truly be put to the test.
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Was the initial NSX built by Honda or Acura?
At the Chicago car show in 1989, Honda introduced the Honda NS-X in production form. A few months later, it had its Japanese debut at the Tokyo Motor Show. The car’s former name, NS-X, was changed to NSX. The NSX became Honda’s new flagship model when it first went on sale in Japan in 1990. Beginning in November 1990, Honda’s flagship Acura luxury brand began marketing the NSX in North America and Hong Kong.
The NSX was the first production vehicle to have an all-aluminum body. The use of aluminum reduced the weight of the body alone by roughly 200 kg and the suspension arms by a further 20 kg. Other noteworthy features included titanium connecting rods, an electric power steering system, an independent, 4-channel anti-lock brake system, and the first electronic throttle control ever installed in a Honda, which would appear later in 1995.
Ayrton Senna’s work with the NSX’s principal engineers during prototype testing at Honda’s Suzuka Circuit during its final development led to the car’s chassis rigidity and handling qualities. From 1989 to the beginning of 2004, the NSX was initially put together at the purpose-built Takanezawa R&D Plant in Tochigi. Thereafter, it was transferred to Suzuka Plant for the duration of its manufacturing life. The NSX was built by a team of hand-picked employees with a minimum of 10 years of experience who were hired from different other Honda facilities. The team consisted of 200 of Honda’s most skilled and experienced workers.
Why is Honda NSX referred to as Acura?
You’ve come to the right place if you’re wondering what sets the Honda NSX and Acura NSX apart. We’ll quickly summarize the two companies and the variations in their NSX models for you.
In a nutshell, Acura is a high-end variation of Honda. It is used to luxury automobiles that American Honda believed would be more difficult to sell if they wore the Honda logo. Initially, Acura was solely offered in North America and Hong Kong and was a North American brand. Over time, this has changed, and more places across the world now sell vehicles with the Acura emblem.
We must distinguish between the two distinct generations in order to understand the differences between the NSX. Let’s start by taking a look at the original NSX.
Honda NSX vs Acura NSX Generation 1
There isn’t much of a difference between the Honda NSX and Acura NSX from the first generation. From 1990 to 2004 and from 2004 to 2005, respectively, both vehicles were produced in Honda’s Takanezawa plant in Tochigi, Japan, and at its Suzuka R&D facility. The following are the only variations:
- Modest ECU remapping
- Acura vehicles were built with a left-hand drive configuration.
- Badge
Honda NSX vs Acura NSX Generation 2
If we look a little closer, there are a few more changes between the Honda and Acura versions of the second generation NSX than there were in the first iteration. Here are the distinctions:
- In the case of a collision with a pedestrian, a distinct bonnet/hood hinge on Honda models will pop out to raise the bonnet. This complies with European and Japanese pedestrian safety regulations.
- Vehicles from Acura are left-hand drive.
- When in reverse, Japanese NSX vehicles make a distinctive beeping noise (not to be confused with a reverse sensor sound). This is because of a particular Japanese law.
- Different airbag and restraint systems are available for Acura cars. Airbags must be made to accommodate passengers who are not wearing seatbelts in the US. In comparison to laws in other regions of the world, this is significantly different.
- Honda vehicles have clear indication glass, but Acura vehicles have amber. Regulations in the US are to blame for this. Some Honda promotional vehicles have amber glass since they are merely rebadged Acura vehicles (for example, the one used in the Tokyo Motor Show).
Overall, there aren’t many differences between the NSX models made by Honda and Acura for both generations. Check read our post on the “Complete History of the Honda NSX Generation 1” and the video below if you want to learn more about the NSX.
The NSX or Supra, which is quicker?
The reduced weight of the Supra is a significant benefit over the Supra, and this may help the vehicle when cornering. The Acura NSX boasts 573 horsepower and a Honda hybrid powertrain, giving it a clear advantage over the Supra’s 3.0-liter engine’s 382 horsepower. A few modifications have been made to the NSX. The 3.5-liter V6 twin-turbo remains the same, but it has JB4 tuning and Fabspeed downpipes and exhaust. A Bomiz valved exhaust system, a Function Werk downpipe, and a few additional modifications have been made to the Supra to increase performance.
Is Acura more expensive than Honda?
Honda and Acura differ in a few significant ways. Its vehicles typically have sharper exteriors and more potent motors. Additionally, Acura offers a few models that Honda can’t match, including the PMC Editions and the NSX premium sports car.
Is Honda’s luxury line Acura?
The premium Honda range includes the luxury brand Acura, which is usually regarded as such. Their vehicles have high-end components, cutting-edge technology, upscale styling, and superior performance. Therefore, Acura vehicles are likely to be found if you’re shopping for a luxury vehicle or SUV.
Is a Honda engine found in an Acura?
Today, Acura develops engines, chassis, and technology in addition to producing exceptionally plush and comfortable vehicles and crossovers. And because Honda and Acura are so closely related, both brands utilise the majority of these technologies. For instance, the Acura MDX and the Honda Pilot both use the same base and engine (as well as the nine-speed transmission on the Pilot Touring). The Honda Odyssey, Accord, and Ridgeline also use the 3.5-liter Earth Dream V6 as it is a mainstay of the Acura lineup. The same is true for both brands’ entertainment systems; Honda goods benefit from having a premium feel, and Acura may concentrate on other interior features of their cars because mass production allows for cost savings.
Honda and Acura may not appear to have much in common to the ordinary consumer, but if you dig a little further, you’ll discover how closely related these two businesses are. Both brands share many parts, dealerships are typically close by (and frequently controlled by the same organizations), and switching between brands may occasionally qualify you for fidelity rebates.
Therefore, if you often drive a Honda and are interested in seeing what luxury looks like in a Honda, stop by and we’ll show you.