By Lou Cataldo
The first-generation Honda NSX, known in the States under the name of Acura NSX, is one of the most iconic models from Honda’s history. Built with input from none other than Formula 1 legend Ayrton Senna (in the final stages), and beloved by enthusiasts all over the world, the NSX has earned a prominent place in the automotive world.
The car’s introduction, however, was quite an eventful one, and might very well have ended in disaster if things had gone slightly differently. Thankfully, that was not the case, however the story of the NSX’s debut still remains an interesting anecdote from Honda’s history. The car’s first appearance marked the start of several years of success for the NSX, which Honda later attempted to recreate with the second generation, but without achieving the same results. Let’s take a look at how the NSX’s launch went down, and what came after it.
The NSX’s Early History And Chaotic Debut
By the time the NSX was introduced to the world at the 1989 edition of the Chicago Auto Show, the model had been in development for about five years. The car’s journey started in 1984, when Honda’s team began experimenting with a City (a compact hatchback) cut in half and converted into a mid-engined vehicle. That project did not lead directly to a production model, but it did pique Honda’s interest regarding the potential development of a sports car.
Later that year, Honda recruited legendary Italian design firm Pininfarina to create a mid-engined concept car, dubbed the HP-X (Honda-Pininfarina eXperimental). This concept laid the groundwork for what would eventually be called the NS-X, or “New Sportscar eXperimental”. The prototype for the NSX’s production version was not designed by Pininfarina, but by Honda’s own team, led by designer Masahito Nakano (who would later work on the S2000 as well).
The proto-NSX went through several different engines before Honda settled on the final choice that landed in the production version, a 3.0-liter V6. The HP-X concept had a 2.0-liter V6 on board, but the prototype that was presented in Chicago was equipped with a 2.7-liter V6 borrowed from the Honda Legend.
On a Thursday in February 1989, Honda was displaying their creation in a hotel ballroom alongside several other automakers, including Mazda and Ford (respectively showcasing the Miata and the Lincoln Town Car). Shortly before the press conference that was meant to introduce the NSX to the world, Honda’s then-CEO Tadashi Kume took the cover off the car and jumped in the driver’s seat.
In a move that surprised the attendees as well as Honda’s own team, he started the engine and began revving aggressively: the NSX was now drawing the attention of all those present in the building. Here is how Kurt Antonius, Honda USA’s then-Public Relations vice president, remembers things unfolding:
“Kume wanted to inspect the car, so he took off the cover . . . and checked the paint quality, and looked at the fit and finish of the vehicle. […] Then he hopped inside and before we knew it, he started the engine. Keep in mind, right next door there was a Ford press conference going on.
“And we ran over to him. ‘Stop! Stop! Please stop!’ And he’s going ‘Vrooom! Vrooom! Vroooom!’ These weren’t polite revs. He pegged the throttle. By the time we had our press conference, word had spread that we had a super sports car and the room was packed, wall to wall.”
– Kurt Antonius, Honda USA
Naturally, Honda team members frantically waved at Kume in an attempt to convince him to kill the engine, especially since there was a Ford press conference going on next door, which would have no doubt been disrupted by the loud noise. However, Kume got what he wanted: the NSX drew large amounts of attention, impressing journalists and the public alike. This noisy debut marked the start of a successful journey for the model, which remained on the market for 15 years and soon became a motoring legend.
The NSX’s First Generation: A “Daily Supercar” And An Automotive Icon
| Honda/Acura NSX (First Generation) | |
| Engine | 3.0-liter V6 |
| Power | 270 hp |
| Torque | 210 lb-ft |
| 0-60 mph | Under 6 seconds |
| Top Speed | 163 mph |
Built to challenge Honda’s European competitors, the NSX was designed to have a dual personality: the characteristics of a sports car were incorporated in a model that could also function as a reliable daily driver. Thanks to its unique character, the NSX is widely regarded as the world’s first “daily supercar”, a philosophy that would later be embraced by another famous mid-engined model: the Audi R8.
Honda used the keyword “balance” as a guiding principle when coming up with the NSX’s design. It was powered by a 3.0-liter V6 equipped with VTEC technology, which offered a blend of performance and reliability. The engine was paired with a lineup of three transmissions depending on version of the model (a six-speed manual (from 1997), five-speed manual, or four-speed automatic), which sent power to the rear wheels.
Comfort was another important factor in the NSX’s design. The seats offered support for high-performance driving, but they were also comfortable enough for everyday journeys. Thanks to the car’s mid-engined layout, the trunk had an adequate amount of room and passengers had enough legroom to stretch out without being cramped.
Though oriented towards sportiness, the NSX did not fall short in the creature comforts department either: the model was equipped with several comfort and tech features, including a Bose audio system and climate control.
Sources: Honda, Reggia Auto Group, Autotempest, Hagerty, Tire Meets Road
Read the full article on CarBuzz
This article originally appeared on CarBuzz and is republished here with permission.
