🚗 The First Generation NSX (NA1/NA2) Series

Original: Honda Journal | Japanese Car Enthusiast Magazine | Published on January 13, 2025
🌟 Topic: 30 Years of NSX History Review

Can the NSX Truly Be Considered a “Supercar”?

This question has always sparked diverse opinions among Honda enthusiasts. 🤔

The term supercar has its origins in the UK, specifically with Bentley. Within the structured hierarchy of the automotive industry, being labeled a supercar comes with strict qualifications. 🚘 Simply being an MR sports car doesn’t qualify it as a supercar.

💡 Supercar Requirements

To be considered a supercar, a car must meet these conditions:
1️⃣ Limited production by a renowned manufacturer.
2️⃣ Deliver exceptional performance.
3️⃣ Be so exclusive that even wealth might not guarantee ownership.

Even Ferrari, often worshipped in automotive circles, doesn’t fully qualify as a supercar brand. Ferrari’s 250 LM or 288 GTO, with their limited production, fit the bill. However, models like the high-production V8s or V12s that are available in showrooms do not.

By this strict definition, the NSX, despite its groundbreaking innovations, doesn’t fully align with supercar status.

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📸 Image: The 1992 NSX Type-R (E-NA1), introduced on November 27, 1992, is the only NSX that meets supercar criteria. With a limited production of 483 units, it contrasts sharply with the total 18,734 units of the first-generation NSX series.

A Fresh Wave of Innovation in 1990

When the NSX debuted in 1990, it shook up a stagnant sports car market. At the time, only three European brands—Ferrari, Porsche, and Lamborghini—were considered true sports car manufacturers. Maserati, under De Tomaso’s ownership, primarily produced high-performance sedans like the Biturbo.

Challenges for European Brands

• Ferrari: The 308, 328, and 348 models were lagging in reliability and excitement. It wasn’t until the 355 and the more stable 360 Modena that Ferrari began matching the NSX.
• Porsche: The rear-engine, air-cooled layout was plagued with issues like the infamous “pendulum effect.” Front-engine experiments such as the 944 and 928 faced continuous delays until the 959 became a breakthrough.
• Lamborghini: The Jalpa, introduced in the 1970s and still in production in the 1980s, couldn’t compete with the NSX’s advanced chassis and technology.

📸 Image: The Ferrari 328 GTB, with a 3.2L F105CB V8 engine, produced 270 hp and reached 100 km/h in 5.5 seconds. It was replaced by the 348 tb in 1989.

📸 Image: The Porsche 944 S2, introduced in 1989, came with a 3.0L M44 inline-four engine delivering 211 hp, with turbocharged variants producing 250 hp.

📸 Image: The Lamborghini Jalpa, discontinued in 1988, featured a 3.5L V8 engine with 255 hp and a 0–100 km/h time of 6 seconds. Its successor, the Gallardo, arrived in 2003.

Groundbreaking Innovations in the NSX

Despite its mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout, aluminum monocoque chassis, and advanced suspension, the standard NSX doesn’t meet strict supercar qualifications. However, its innovations redefined the sports car segment. 🌟

📸 Image: Early design sketches of the NSX drew inspiration from the F-16 fighter jet, emphasizing a cockpit-forward, aerodynamic design with a Cd of 0.25.

📸 Image: The 1989 NS-X concept at the Chicago Auto Show showcased a C27A V6 engine, which lacked Honda’s revolutionary VTEC technology.

Engineering Excellence Inspired by the Shinkansen

The NSX’s lightweight aluminum chassis was inspired by Japan’s Shinkansen bullet train. Honda overcame challenges, such as aluminum’s tendency to deform under stress, by using 600°C heating and extrusion techniques to create honeycomb structures.

This innovation resulted in a frame that was 50% stronger than the Porsche 911 (964) and 200 kg lighter than steel counterparts.

📸 Image: Honeycomb aluminum structures made the NSX a lightweight engineering marvel.

📸 Image: The double-wishbone aluminum suspension set a new industry standard for handling and performance.

A Unique Legacy

While the standard NSX may not be a supercar by definition, it undeniably holds its place as a trailblazer in sports car history. 🌍 Its innovations continue to influence modern engineering, making it a timeless legend.