Whats the difference between Honda NSX and Acura NSX?
The Honda NSX and Acura NSX are iconic sports cars that have captured the hearts of car enthusiasts worldwide. While they are essentially the same car in terms of engineering and design, the difference lies in branding and market positioning. Let’s dive into the details to understand what sets these two names apart.
Branding and Market Differences
The primary distinction between the Honda NSX and Acura NSX is the brand under which they are sold. Honda and Acura are part of the same company, but they serve different markets:
- Honda NSX: This name is used for the car in markets outside of North America, such as Japan and Europe. Honda is the parent company and is well-known globally for its reliable and innovative vehicles.
- Acura NSX: In North America, the NSX is sold under the Acura brand, which is Honda’s luxury and performance division. Acura was created to cater to the premium market in the United States and Canada.
Badging and Aesthetic Details
Another noticeable difference between the Honda NSX and Acura NSX is the badging and minor aesthetic details:
- The Honda NSX features the Honda "H" logo on the front and rear of the car.
- The Acura NSX carries the Acura "A" logo, aligning with the brand’s luxury image in North America.
Aside from the badging, the cars are virtually identical in terms of exterior design, interior features, and overall styling.
Performance and Engineering
When it comes to performance, the Honda NSX and Acura NSX are identical. Both versions are equipped with the same advanced hybrid powertrain, which combines a twin-turbocharged V6 engine with electric motors for exceptional performance and efficiency. The engineering and specifications are consistent across all markets, ensuring that drivers experience the same thrilling performance regardless of the branding.
Why the Dual Branding?
The dual branding strategy is a result of Honda’s approach to marketing. In North America, Acura was established as a separate luxury brand to compete with other premium automakers like Lexus and Infiniti. By branding the NSX as an Acura in this region, Honda positioned it as a high-end sports car that aligns with Acura’s luxury image. In other markets, where Honda is already recognized as a versatile and innovative brand, the NSX retains the Honda name.
Conclusion
In summary, the Honda NSX and Acura NSX are the same car with different branding tailored to specific markets. The Honda NSX is sold in Japan and Europe under the Honda name, while the Acura NSX is marketed in North America as part of Acura’s luxury lineup. Regardless of the badge, both versions deliver the same exhilarating performance and cutting-edge technology that make the NSX a true automotive legend.
Frequently Asked Questions
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 Honda and Acura the same?
Honda, an automotive titan, is the proud parent of Acura. Honda introduced Acura, originally dubbed Channel II, to the United States in 1986. Over the years, Acura has grown to become a luxury brand synonymous with Honda's reputation for quality and reliability.
Is the 1990's NSX a Honda or an Acura?
Honda NSX (first generation)
| Honda NSX (NA1/2) | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Honda |
| Also called | Acura NSX (North America and Hong Kong) |
| Production | August 1990 – November 30, 2005 |
| Model years | 1991–2005 |
Is the Acura NSX and Honda NSX the same?
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. The origins of the NSX trace back to 1984, with the HP-X (Honda Pininfarina eXperimental) concept, for a 3.0 L (180 cu in) V6 rear mid-engine, rear-wheel drive sports car.
Why is Honda NSX legendary?
Thus, it was decided that the NSX would have the world's first all-aluminum, monocoque body. The world's first mass-production car to offer an all-aluminum, monocoque body. No other automaker had yet to build a car primarily of aluminum, however, even though the material was pollution-free and in abundant supply.
How rare are Acura NSX?
In 15 years of production, from 1990 to 2005, 18,685 NSXs were built, so it wasn't a total sales disaster. Of those, 8997 went to the US, where they were badged Acura NSX, but just 1559 came to Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
Is the Acura NSX made by Honda?
The second-generation Honda NSX (New Sports eXperience; model code NC1), marketed as the Acura NSX in North America, China and Kuwait, is a two-seater, all-wheel drive, mid-engine hybrid electric sports car developed and manufactured by Honda.
How much horsepower does a 1990 Honda NSX have?
about 250 hp
Honda eventually settled on a non-VTEC, 3.0-liter double overhead camshaft 24-valve V6 engine selected for the production model. This engine generated a maximum power output of about 250 hp (186 kW; 253 PS) and 282 N⋅m (208 lb⋅ft) of torque, with a redline of 7,300 rpm.
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.
Why did Honda stop making NSX?
The Acura NSX, on the other hand, has been discontinued due to declining sales and the company's focus on electric vehicles.
