1993 Acura NSX
Generously lent by Steve Howitt
Pioneering Japanese supercar for everyday use
Honda/Acura was now respected in the performance market
One of the most iconic and best performing cars of the 1990’s
As Japan’s first true supercar, the Acura NSX took the exotic car arena by storm in the early 1990’s, pairing everyday usability with a responsive powerplant and lightweight body and chassis and opening the door to younger supercar enthusiasts. Honda, who in this period were known for their extremely reliable economy cars, were in the midst of powering McLaren’s Formula One team to two consecutive Constructors World Championships, and naturally, the precision of the NSX embodies similar characteristics as the high-strung F1 engines. At the time, the NSX was comfortably beating cars like the Porsche 911, Ferrari Testarossa, and other more expensive sports cars. Today, the NSX is considered one of the most significant cars ever built in Japan.
To meet the standards of a world class supercar, engineers set requirements for several different aspects of the vehicle. Firstly, a power to weight ratio of 12:1 was required, and with a lightweight mantra and a goal to keep the car under 3000 lbs., the engine would need to produce 250 or more horsepower. Aluminum is utilized on nearly every structural component of the car. The body panels are also aluminum, with a heat treatment to resist small dents. The aluminum block for the 3.0-liter V6 was chosen over V8 and twin-turbo V6 options to keep weight down as well.
Because of its unique suspension and precise engine, the NSX can be manipulated like a Swiss Army Knife. The advanced suspension geometry is a loosely related to Formula One technology of the period, with unequal-length forged aluminum A-arms serving as the backbone. To keep the front end planted and confident and increase steering feel, the front pivots of the A-Arms are attached to a compliance pivot which twists slightly under load. Steering inputs are direct, the car goes exactly where you would like it to, and at its limit, the car is easily controlled with the throttle without feeling frantic. Compared to the 1990 Corvette, which was defined as “Big, bad and brutal” by Road & Track, the NSX was described as a “ballerina.”
The rev happy NSX produces 276 horsepower at 7100 RPM before hitting redline at an atmospheric 8000 RPM. The throttle response is nearly immediate due to its small size and natural aspiration, and along with VTEC, Honda’s variable valve timing technology, the engine can pull harder above 5800 RPM all the way to redline. The NSX is just as capable as it is usable; its design was modeled after fighter jets and hydroplane boats to create an open and comfortable cabin. Unlike almost every supercar from this period, the visibility from the cockpit is fantastic, allowing owners to drive their car everyday if they choose.
The NSX was an immensely influential car in many aspects, changing the guise of what a supercar should drive like. The NSX was one of just a few supercars that was comfortable and reliable enough to drive everyday and track on the weekend. Values of these cars are continuing to rise, especially after reviews of the newest NSX criticized the car for being numb and disconnected from the driver. As perhaps the most driver-focused car ever built in Japan, we encourage you to find yourself one before it’s too late!
Specifications
Engine: 3.0 Liter V6
Horsepower: 270 @ 7100 RPM
Torque: 217 ft./lbs. @ 5400 RPM
0-60 MPH: 5.5 Seconds
Top Speed: Limited to 155
Weight: 2976 lbs.