Was the NSX made by Honda or Acura?
The NSX is an iconic sports car that has captured the hearts of car enthusiasts worldwide. However, there is often confusion about whether it was made by Honda or Acura. In this article, we’ll explore the origins of the NSX and clarify its branding history.
The Origins of the NSX
The NSX, which stands for "New Sportscar eXperimental," was developed by Honda, a Japanese automaker renowned for its engineering excellence and innovation. The car was first introduced in 1990 as a high-performance sports car designed to compete with European exotics like Ferrari and Porsche. Honda's goal was to create a vehicle that combined supercar performance with everyday usability and reliability.
Honda vs. Acura Branding
While the NSX was developed and manufactured by Honda, its branding depends on the market. Here’s how it breaks down:
- In Japan and other international markets: The NSX was sold under the Honda brand. It proudly carried the Honda badge, reflecting its roots as a product of Honda's engineering prowess.
- In North America: The NSX was marketed and sold under Honda's luxury division, Acura. Acura was established in 1986 as Honda's premium brand for the U.S. and Canadian markets, and the NSX became its flagship model.
This dual branding strategy allowed Honda to position the NSX as a luxury sports car in North America while maintaining its identity as a Honda in other parts of the world.
The Legacy of the NSX
The NSX has undergone several iterations since its debut, including a second-generation model introduced in 2016. Regardless of the badge it wears, the NSX remains a testament to Honda's commitment to innovation, performance, and precision engineering. Whether you know it as the Honda NSX or the Acura NSX, it’s a car that has left an indelible mark on automotive history.
At Kevin's Autos, we appreciate the craftsmanship and engineering behind vehicles like the NSX. If you own one or any other high-performance car, trust us to provide the expert care it deserves!
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Honda discontinue the NSX?
The NSX was a favorite for enthusiasts, car magazines, and so on, but it didn't sell very well because of its high cost. Being built in Japan, it was eventually too expensive for what it was, thanks to the rise of the Yen-to-USD/Euro exchange rate. And at the heart of it, it was still just a dressed-up Honda.
Did Honda or Acura make the NSX?
The NSX was sold under Honda's Acura luxury brand starting in November 1990 in North America and Hong Kong. Upon its official debut, the NSX design concept showcased Honda's technology, measuring only 1,170 mm (46 in) in height.
What is the rarest Acura NSX?
This is one of 50 built globally that's right this is the 2022 Acura NSX Type S. So as we walk around this bad boy right here. It's absolutely incredible it's monstrous.
Who designed the original NSX?
Designer Masahito Nakano
The NSX was designed by a team led by Chief Designer Masahito Nakano and Executive Chief Engineer Shigeru Uehara. It benefited from advanced aerodynamics and styling inspired by the F-16 fighter jet cockpit as well as input, during the final development stages, from Formula One World Champion Ayrton Senna.
Do Acuras have Honda engines?
The 2007 RDX, a crossover SUV, featured the first North American use of a turbocharged Honda engine. A second generation NSX was launched in 2016 and features a twin-turbocharged mid-engine, a nine-speed dual-clutch transmission, and Sport Hybrid SH-AWD.
What does Acura 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.
Are Acuras basically Hondas?
They are both owned by the same company, however, Honda specializes in delivering a range of mainstream automobiles for customers, while Acura is focused on the production of luxury performance models for SUVs and sedans.
Are Acuras reliable after 100k miles?
Acuras remain reliable after 100,000 miles because of high-quality engineering, provided regular maintenance is done.
What is the rarest NSX?
The rarest Honda NSX ever built
But just how rare was the Honda NSX-R GT? Extremely rare. In fact, there were only five copies ever produced by the Japanese automaker, but Honda never intended to mass produce it for the public.
How many NSX did Honda make?
But did, and does, the NSX's very usability make it less of a mystical supercar and just more of, well, a Honda? In 15 years of production, from 1990 to 2005, 18,685 NSXs were built, so it wasn't a total sales disaster.
