Was the NSX designed by Pininfarina?
The Acura NSX, a revolutionary sports car that debuted in 1990, is often celebrated for its sleek design and groundbreaking engineering. However, there is some confusion about whether the iconic design of the NSX was the work of the renowned Italian design house Pininfarina. Let’s dive into the history and clarify the origins of this legendary vehicle's design.
The Origins of the NSX Design
The NSX, known as the Honda NSX in markets outside North America, was primarily designed in-house by Honda. The project was led by Chief Designer Masahito Nakano and Executive Chief Engineer Shigeru Uehara. The goal was to create a supercar that combined high performance with everyday usability, a concept that was groundbreaking at the time.
While Pininfarina is famous for designing some of the most iconic cars in automotive history, including many Ferraris, the NSX was not one of their creations. Instead, Honda's design team took inspiration from various sources, including fighter jets, to craft the car's aerodynamic and futuristic look.
Did Pininfarina Have Any Influence?
Although Pininfarina did not design the NSX, there is a connection worth noting. Before the NSX project began, Honda collaborated with Pininfarina on a concept car called the HP-X (Honda Pininfarina eXperimental). This concept, unveiled in 1984, was a mid-engine sports car prototype that laid the groundwork for what would eventually become the NSX.
The HP-X showcased some design elements and engineering principles that influenced the NSX, but the final design and development of the NSX were carried out entirely by Honda's in-house team. Therefore, while Pininfarina played a role in the early conceptual stages, they were not directly responsible for the NSX's final design.
Key Takeaways
- The Acura NSX was designed in-house by Honda, led by Masahito Nakano and Shigeru Uehara.
- Pininfarina did not design the NSX but collaborated with Honda on the earlier HP-X concept car.
- The NSX's design was inspired by fighter jets and aimed to combine supercar performance with everyday usability.
In conclusion, while Pininfarina's influence can be traced back to the HP-X concept, the NSX's iconic design is a testament to Honda's innovative spirit and in-house expertise. This car remains a symbol of engineering excellence and design ingenuity, standing out as one of the most beloved sports cars of all time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the last car designed by Pininfarina?
Ferrari F12berlinetta
However, this special relationship came to an end with the 2012-17 Ferrari F12berlinetta, the last model entirely penned by Pininfarina, while Centro Stile Ferrari has designed each car since 2013's LaFerrari.
Who designed the Acura?
The ZDX was the first Acura designed in Acura's design studio located at Torrance in Southern California. The ZDX was designed by Michelle Christensen and based on the Acura MDX using that vehicles 3.7 litre V6 engine (300 bhp) and SH-AWD system.
What does NSX stand for?
New Sports eXperimental
A team at American Honda later chose to express the definition as "New Sports eXperimental." For production, the decision was made to remove the hyphen from NS-X, leading to NSX as the official model name for Acura's first supercar.
What is the rarest NSX?
Only 30 NSX Type-S Zeros were produced between 1997 and 2001, making it the rarest version of the NSX next to the five homologation special NSX-R GT cars.
What does Pininfarina mean in Italian?
Because of Battista Farina's car body designs, the Italian automotive industry will always be known for producing fast, luxurious, and iconic cars. Born in Cortanze d'Asti, Italy in 1893, Farina was nicknamed “Pinin” meaning small/young. Though the name stuck, Battista became a giant of automotive design.
What brand makes NSX?
The Honda NSX, marketed in North America as the Acura NSX, is a two-seater, rear mid-engined, rear-wheel drive sports car manufactured by Honda.
Why did Ferrari stop using Pininfarina?
While few people know what really goes on behind the scenes, the most straightforward explanation is that Ferrari stopped using Pininfarina because its own in-house design studio, Centro Stile Ferrari, rendered Pininfarina's services surplus to requirement.
Who designed the original NSX?
The NSX was designed by a team led by Chief Designer, Masahito Nakano, and Executive Chief Engineer, Shigeru Uehara.
What is the NSX based on?
F16 fighter jet
Honda's development engineers finally found an outlet for the passions when in the fall of 1985 the creation of a new sportscar began in earnest. A sketch of the NSX's exterior, with its sleek profile based on an F16 fighter jet.
Who is the designer of the NSX?
Michelle Christensen
Michelle Christensen is an American car designer. She was Acura's first female exterior designer. Since 2005 Christensen has worked for Acura and was the lead designer of the second generation Honda NSX.
