Honda NSX
 |
 |
 |
 |
Honda in the early eighties needed a halo car for their brand, having Ferrarri in their sights. The car initial design first came into light in 1984 when Honda commissioned Pininfarina to design its HP-X Honda Pininfarina Xperimental. Designing a car which would escalate and move peoples idea of hondas from being grandparents cars that never went wrong. Produced between 1990 and 2005, It has a mid-engine, rear-wheel drive layout, an all-aluminium body and chassis and a V6 Petrol engine featuring Honda's VTEC system behind the driver with all the trademark engineering and reliability of all that honda could muster.
Upon its release in 1990, the NSX was a design ahead of its time. The car was intended to showcase Honda's racing technology, exemplified by the NSX's ultra-rigid, ultra-light aluminium monocoque chassis, titanium connecting rods and high-revving capabilities. The redline was at a lofty 8000 rpm, which was amazing for a 3.0 liter naturally aspirated engine. The car's high chassis rigidity and cornering/handling prowess were the results of Ayrton Senna's direct input with NSX's chief engineers while testing at the Honda owned Suzuka Circuit during its final development stages.
It was instantly recognised in its home market as a Ferrarri eater and grew to cult status, in the west folk seen it as a cheap alternative and with limited numbers it never really took off. But missing out on one of the purest driving cars of all time which was remakably easy to live with on a day to day basis. Production has ended but residuals of the examples left show there is still a market for such light accurate and reliable speed that doesn't cost the earth to run or keep.
On July 20, 2005, mere days after the announcement of the closure of current NSX production, Honda CEO Takeo Fukui announced that a new NSX was under development and would sport a Formula 1-inspired V10 motor, with speculation that it might have the SH-AWD Super Handling All Wheel Drive.
For a short Video on Honda NSX